I’m a 41-year-old mom, and I’d still say one of the hardest years of my life was seventh grade. Friendships were awkward. Lines between girl-boy relationships were becoming blurred. I wanted to be who everyone wanted me to be while trying to accept and understand who God made me. That doesn’t even touch on how the academics became harder, lockers brought out anxiety, and extra-curricular activities stole time.
Now, I’m raising a middle schooler and two other kids who will be middle schoolers. Thankfully, our first couple of years in this hormonal season have been pleasant. Of course, I’m not who I was at 12 and my daughter Cate isn’t me.
While there’s no perfect system for surviving – even thriving! – in these years, there are valuable resources for parents and their kids. A new guidebook in our house is “Important Things Every Kid Should Know to Survive Middle School: Follow God, Try New Things, and Don’t Freak Out” by Sandy Silverthorne. There you have it. Advice right there in the subtitle!
Yes, I asked my girl, who starts eighth grade than two weeks, to read through this book and tell me what she thought of it. In true first-born, get-it-done ways, she made me a bulleted list of her thoughts, so I’ll share those with y’all:
- The cartoon characters help express what author Sandy Silverthorne is saying.
- The quizzes help readers sort out their thoughts about who they are.
- The whole book helps people relax if they’re nervous about school.
- Very helpful tips throughout the book combat middle school fears, prepare for school stuff like lockers and classes, and sort out thoughts.
- The “Checking In” sections are good reminders that God is always with you to help you get over whatever nervousness or challenges you’re facing.
Of course, who knows what this school year will look like! Thanks to the coronavirus and social distancing, we’re winging it like everyone else, making plans that will probably change, and taking life a day at a time. Even so, when my girl has questions, I’m glad she has a new resource to help her navigate this crazy life.
About this book
This thorough (and thoroughly humorous) guide will equip your child with practical advice on how to manage middle school. Kids will learn what to expect on their first day, where they fit in, how to get over middle school phobia, and much more!
Important Things Every Kid Should Know to Survive Middle School is a 140-page paperback book is published by Harvest House (May 5, 2020). It’s also available on Amazon as a Kindle book.
About the author
Sandy Silverthorne has been writing and illustrating books since 1988 and has more than 600,000 copies in print. His award-winning Great Bible Adventure children’s series sold more than 180,000 copies and has been distributed worldwide in eight languages. He’s worked with Focus on the Family, Universal Studios, and the Charlotte Hornets. Connect with him at sandysilverthornebooks.com.
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I received a free copy of this book from the author to share with my middle schooler. We only recommend products we truly enjoy and find helpful.
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