Lauren's Selections

Borgenicht, D., Epstein, R. & Winters, B.H. (2009). The Worst Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Middle School. San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books.

Interest Level: 11-14 years

Here’s a quick-reading and light-hearted manual for helping middle-school students navigate that tricky time between elementary and high school. It provides advice in a straightforward and entertaining manner, using green, black and white illustrations to support the text and add interest. The tips are arranged under the categories “The School Day,” “After School” and “The Social Scene,” and include how to deal with too much homework, keeping organized and e-mail disasters. There are also 2 bonus chapters “For Boys Only” and “For Girls Only.” The boys’ advice includes how to survive being short, not athletic, being bullied and how to deal with girl confusion. The girls’ advice includes how to survive mean girls, a BFF breakup, when a secret gets out and how to handle wardrobe emergencies. The book’s tone is informal and conversational: like an experienced older brother or sister giving some pointers. It would appeal equally to boys or girls; the cover is orange and depicts a boy and a girl happily bursting out a middle school’s front door. This would be a great book for a student who has just graduated from elementary school and is feeling nervous about entering middle school.


Similar Titles: The Middle School Survival Guide: How to Survive from the Day Elementary School Ends until the Second High School Begins, by Arlene Erlbach, A Smart Girl's Guide to Starting Middle School: Everything You Need to Know About Juggling More Homework, More Teachers, and More Friends, by Julie Williams, 100 Things Guys Need to Know, by Bill Zimmerman

Bragg, G. (2011). How They Croaked: The Awful Ends of the Awfully Famous. New York: Walker & Co.

Interest Level: 10-14 years

This book is the gruesome, ‘tween version of the “Don’t Know Much About…” series for adults. It describes (in gory detail) how 19 famous figures from the past died in such an engaging manner that you learn facts from history without even thinking about it! Bragg’s writing style is witty and sardonic, and she has a great knack for including random but entertaining details about the famously dead. The gothic looking black and white illustrations by Kevin O’Malley contribute to the dark tone of the book, as well as adding to the dry humor. Kids who are drawn to gory stories will enjoy this book and it’s disgusting details will be sure to delight. Each chapter ends with a few descriptions of related topics, such as scurvy, leeching and cupping: “cupping was perfectly safe…although sometimes it was followed by annoying if not fatal bleeding.” The book’s conclusion provides an inspirational encouragement for kids to pursue their dreams and do what makes them happy, and they, too may end up famous (and eventually dead)! There is also a diagram that shows how all the famous people featured in the book were somehow connected to each other, as well as a list of books and websites for further information about each person.


Similar Titles: The Kids’ Guide to Mummies, By Joan Axelrod-Contrada, Encyclopedia Horrifica: The Terrifying TRUTH! About Vampires, Ghosts, Monsters, and More, by Joshua Gee, Unexplained: An Encyclopedia of Curious Phenomena, Strange Superstitions, and Ancient Mysteries, by Judy Allen


Hines-Stephens, S. & Mann, B. (2009). Show Off: How to do Absolutely Everything One Step at a Time. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.

Interest Level: 9-13 years

There is something for everyone in this pictorial step-by-step guide. Kids’ imaginations will be inspired by activities that range from how to spurt fake blood to how to cultivate carnivorous plants to how to roll candy sushi. The book begins with a guide for how to use the book and simple household tools that would be helpful to keep handy. The activities are grouped into categories: amaze, investigate, create, explore, cook, and move. Reluctant readers will enjoy this book; the pictures support the text immensely, and in some cases, there is no text at all, just pictures to describe an activity. Most of the activities are doable in an afternoon, some will require more time. While most of the instructions are clear through the simple text and full-color pictures, some don’t add enough detailed explanation, and could lead to a frustrating experience (sort of like trying to put together a piece of IKEA furniture). But overall this would be a great book for a creative, energetic kid who wants to learn how to do some awesome things.

Similar Titles: Show Me How: 500 Things You Should Know: Instructions for Life From The Everyday to the Exotic, by Lauren Smith and Derek Fagerstrom, Pick Me Up by Jeremy Leslie, 97 Things to do Before You Finish High School by Steven Jenkins.

McKellar, D. (2007). Math Doesn’t Suck: How to Survive Middle School Math Without Losing Your Mind or Breaking a Nail. New York, Hudson Street Press.

Interest Level: 11-14

Can girls be good at math and still be girly? Danica McKellar answers with a resounding YES! in her book dedicated to helping girls realize “how sharpening your brain will put you on the fast track to feeling fabulous in all areas of your life.” The book cover is designed to look like a fashion magazine, which will add to the appeal for young girls interested in fashion. Each chapter is dedicated to a different topic of middle school math, and is given a catchy title, such as “Is Your Sister Trying to Cheat You Out of Your Fair Share? -Comparing Fractions” and “What Every Savvy Shopper Should Know -All About Decimals.” Each chapter ends with “Takeaway Tips” which summarize the most important information from the chapter. Throughout the book there are real life testimonials, math personality quizzes and a math horoscope, to further evoke the feeling of a fashion magazine. There are simple, black and white illustrations peppered throughout the text, and cursive writing for headings, further adding appeal for girls. McKellar offers clear, practical tips for understanding all types of math by using interesting, entertaining and real life situations. All of the problems in the books have the answer in the back, and more detailed explanations are found on the website mathdoesntsuck.com. This is a great book for a girl struggling in math who needs encouragement and a boost in confidence. Who knows? She may end up like the author, who struggled in Middle School math, but ended up getting her college degree in mathematics!

Similar Titles: Kiss My Math: Showing Pre-Algebra Who’s Boss, by Danica McKellar, Hot-X! Alebra Exposed, by Danica McKellar, The Math Dude’s Quick and Dirty Guide to Algebra, by Jason Marshall, Algebra Survival Guide: A Conversational Guide for the Thoroughly Befuddled, by Josh Rappaport

Reber, D. (2008). Chill: Stress-Reducing Techniques for a More Balanced, Peaceful You. New York: Simon Pulse.

Interest Level: 13 years +

“You don’t have to be stressed if you don’t want to be” is the theme of this book that provides girls with practical advice on how to be their most relaxed and happy self. Reber’s voice is honest and straightforward: young girls will appreciate that she doesn’t talk down to them, but also doesn’t try to be cool or talk like a teenager. She simply wants to help “the most overscheduled, overprogrammed and overwhelmed generation on the planet” cope. The book reads like a conversation and the text flows quickly. It begins by defining stress and providing examples of the typical areas of a teen’s life that can cause stress. The following chapters cover issues such as time management, learning when to say “no”, creating a support system, journaling, exercise and nutrition. The chapters are broken up by the addition of quizzes, exercises, and lists of techniques for achieving the goal of the chapter. The simple line drawings interspersed throughout the text also add interest and entertainment. This book would be a great gift for a young teenage girl, and when paired with a journal she’ll be ready to sit back, take a deep breath…and chill.

Similar Titles: The Stress Reduction Workbook for Teens: Mindfulness Skills to Help You Deal With Stress (Instant Help), by Gina M. Biegel, Too Stressed to Think?: A Teen Guide to Staying Sane When Life Makes You Crazy, by Annie Fox, Click! The Girls Guide to Knowing What You Want and Making it Happen, by Annabel Monaghan & Elisabeth Wolfe