Educators, parents, and those who work with middle school students in
various settings will find this book to be a valuable addition to their
library. Early adolescence is a time of tremendous change with the
potential for positive development in the academic, social, and
emotional domains; yet, often this age group struggles to adjust to the
transition of middle school and the tasks that are required to be
successful there. The authors -- both of whom are seasoned educators and
administrators -- cover a variety of topics germane to positive
development. These include social and emotional development, current
research on the adolescent brain, and the academic challenges of
entering middle school. There are also chapters on contemporary issues
such as bullying, social media, and inclusive leadership. Parents will
find suggestions for how to support their middle school child, and
educators will discover a wealth of best practices to incorporate into
their interactions with early adolescents and their families.