The Middle School Survival Guide

August 1, 2003
The Middle School Survival Guide by Arlene Erlbach, illus. by Helen Flook, offers advice on everyday challenges that 10- to 14-year-olds face in school and at home, from difficult teachers and too much homework to changing friendships, sibling wars and the onslaught of puberty. Sensitive discussions touch on such topics as pregnancy and violence, and in each section kids also offer advice on common problems.

September 1, 2003
Gr 6-8-This book offers advice in dealing with changes in the school routine, teachers, families, social lives, sex (a section that is fairly explicit), and issues such as drugs, sexual harassment, and school violence. Pen-and-ink cartoons feature preteens and sometimes parents in a variety of situations. A highlight of the book is the advice given by actual middle-school students. For the most part, it is practical, straightforward, and helpful; it is printed in italics and is easily identified throughout the book.-Sheilah Kosco, Rapides Parish Library, Alexandria, LA

Copyright 2003 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 1, 2004
Gr 6-8-Sound advice for dealing with the difficult transitions this audience faces is dispensed in a straightforward and explicit voice. Topics range from academics to sexual abuse and include quotes from students who have been there and survived. Cartoon illustrations appear throughout.

Copyright 2004 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 15, 2003
Gr. 5-7. Erlbach offers a collection of practical tips for making it through that netherworld between the primary grades and high school. Chockablock with advice about peers, home life, and transitions, each chapter tackles different aspects of a particular topic. "Academics," for example, is broken down into sections: "Why Teachers Give So Much Homework," "How Much Parents Should Help," and so on. Erlbach's advice is sound, but the real gems are the quotes from kids. There are some explicit content and frank discussion, with Erlbach using the same no-nonsense language whether covering drugs, sexual harassment, crushes, cheating, oral sex, or pregnancy: "I like kissing, hugging and a little touching, but I don't want any guy putting his hand inside my underwear." Strong, and well-delivered, often necessary medicine.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2003, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2004
This guide features good advice--on friendships, cliques, teachers, bullies, lockers, clothes, dances, sex, etc.--and large doses of reassurance delivered in breezy, just-cool-enough prose. Chapters on home life, puberty, and "serious stuff" such as sexual harassment seem somewhat outside the book's scope but are nonetheless handled well. Testimonials from real kids are sprinkled throughout, adding to the book's credibility.

(Copyright 2004 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)