Middle School--Safety Goggles Advised - by Jessica Speer (Paperback)

About the Book

2023 Purple Dragonfly Book Award Winner
2023 Colorado Book Awards Finalist

Take a large group of kids in puberty, send them to a new school, and add a generous dose of tests, homework, and hormones, not to mention diverse personalities, bland food, and unpleasant odors. That's middle school, and it can be a little . . . weird.

Yes, there are cool things about middle school, like more independence, new friends, and new activities. But there's baffling stuff too, like harsh judgment, the whole "popularity" thing, and, of course, drama. With insights from hundreds of students, this guidebook explores the halls of middle school, especially the odd behaviors that lurk in the shadows. Slip on your lab coats, because we're going to dissect these behaviors one by one to understand what's really going on. With fun illustrations and choose-your-own-adventure-style scenarios, Middle School--Safety Goggles Advised will help you deal with the drama and define who you are and how to navigate life when things get, well, weird.

Book Synopsis

With insights from hundreds of students, this guidebook explores the halls of middle school, especially the odd behaviors that lurk in the shadows.

Purple Dragonfly Book Award Winner * Colorado Book Awards Finalist

This interactive survival guide helps kids navigate middle school--using science. Dissect the weird stuff, make friends, and rock middle school!

Fun quizzes and activities with a dash of science keep the book interesting and help kids take in challenging concepts.

Includes relatable stories from real youth voices on the most important topics, including:

• harsh judgment
• popularity
• crushes and warp-speed dating
• gossip and drama
• social media
• and more!

Review Quotes

New friends, new activities, more independence, odd behaviors, drama... sounds a little like middle school. And this is perfect guidebook to help understand what's going on, to deal with the drama, and to navigate when things get weird. Insights from hundreds of students, amusing artwork, and pick your own adventure scenarios are bound to make any child ready for the halls of middle school. (Ages 11-14)--Deb Greenberg, Story Monster Ink

As any parent or teacher of middle school students can attest, middle school is, at its best, challenging. Students are becoming more independent, there is the whole dating dynamic, and hormones are raging. Add to that a new school, new classmates, and five teachers instead of one and you have the elements for making great memories, but also great mistakes. Author Spear has written this title to offer guidance and also to encourage students to think for themselves. Through a process of experimentation and discussion plus interesting facts, kids learn how to deal with social media, peer pressure, cliques, grades, gossip, and being popular--or not. This would make a great gift for the middle school student in your life, and it would serve as a great discussion guide for teachers with new classes or for parents and students to share as they prepare for middle school. Resources include discussion questions, references for further reading, and ideas for helping schools deal with weird behavior.--Children's Literature

Middle School: Safety Goggles Advised is a good book. If I could give it as many stars as I wanted, I would give it a million stars! --Johanna - Age 9, Kids' Book Buzz

"Jessica Speer's latest book, Middle School - Safety Goggles Advised, is an absolute treasure and must-read for middle school students and those who love them. Based on the insights of hundreds of students, Speer sheds light on topics of real interest to kids--from social media and changing friendship groups, to navigating conflict, dealing with drama, managing stress, and surviving the harsh judgments of their friends. With a funny, engaging voice that keeps it interesting and the perfect amount of science that keeps it real, Middle School - Safety Goggles Advised is the kind of book that kids will read, re-read, bookmark, and study. I can't wait to use it with my own students!" --Signe Whitson, author of 8 Keys to End Bullying, The 8 Keys to End Bullying Activity Book, and Friendship Other Weapons

"This is a wonderful book. Middle school students and their parents will get a lot of helpful information, which will undoubtedly make navigating middle school easier." --Dr. Cherylee E. Hirsch, Psy.D., School Psychologist

"As a 7th-grade teacher, I can attest to the fact that this book is on the mark. What 12-year-old wouldn't love the engaging prose, quiz questions, and choose your own endings that this book provides?! With its upbeat tone, this "survival" book will certainly keep young readers' attention while still honoring the incredibly challenging experiences that middle schoolers face." --Cindy Ruzicka, Middle School Teacher

"Buy two books! One for the middle schooler in your life, and one for their parents! The quizzes, quotes, and choose your own adventure stories help tweens and teens sort out their views and feelings while learning how to navigate social topics. It's a book they may read cover to cover or refer to as needed. For parents, it's a quick refresher on the social struggles of the middle school years, with a heads up on some new topics as you mentor your kids. The list of references in the back of the book is also great for more tools as needed!" --Kristin Buchtel, author of Noteworthy Parenting

"Jessica Speer's latest book, Middle School- Safety Goggles Advised, is a must-read! An empowering resource for middle school students and a refreshing resource for adults alike. This book is a great guide to help navigate social situations, inspire students through self-reflective activities, and promote self-awareness and self-advocacy skills."--Emily Schenk, Middle School Counselor CRC

About the Author

Jessica Speer is the award-winning author of BFF or NRF (Not Really Friends)? A Girls Guide to Happy Friendships and Middle School--Safety Goggles Advised. Her interactive books engage and entertain readers by combining the stories of preteens and teens with fun activities, like quizzes and fill-in-the-blanks. Blending humor, science, and practical insights, her writing unpacks the tricky stuff that peaks during adolescence. She has a master's degree in social sciences and explores social-emotional topics in ways that connect with kids. For more information, visit www.JessicaSpeer.com