A Better Story of Middle School

And a humble request for help to launch it

As many of you know, my second book (Challenge Accepted) is almost ready to launch, and we could use your help getting the Kickstarter over the top. We're 84% funded as I write this! If you'd like to help get this book-baby out into the world, check out the campaign here — and thank you for any help!

Now as to the why. It's high time to change the story of middle school. We constantly tell kids that it's going to be a difficult, awkward, possibly even brutal time. We pack their days with adult-led activities when they deeply need independence and unstructured social time. My first book, Finding the Magic in Middle School, was written to help us adults understand this age and its needs, to discover how magical it is. Now enter this book — it's for middle schoolers themselves. It has 50 real-world adventures, with friends and solo, that help them discover just how awesome and capable they are.

What happens when kids do these?

First, we might realize that we all have dramatically underestimated middle schoolers. These are people who in previous generations might have held jobs and done important work for their community; these days they have to ask for permission to go to the bathroom.

Second, we might witness the power of our expectations. When we relate to them as more capable — not only to do meaningful work, but to have wisdom, empathy, and more — then it helps them discover this in themselves. They stand up taller. They don't roll their eyes at everything. They don't waste time being resentful because they have meaningful adventures to get to.

This is what middle school could be. These years are nothing less than transformational. We get to witness our kids or students, like some slow-motion midair video, as they leap into adulthood. They're trustworthy, respect-worthy, engaged, questioning, and eager to show what they can do. Let's make a better story of these magical years — and with your help this new book can be a step in that direction. Thank you!

Warmly,

Chris