Middle School--Safety Goggles Advised: Exploring the Weird Stuff from Gossip to Grades, Cliques to Crushes, and Popularity to Peer Pressure

"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
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
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