Middle school is its own important, distinct territory, and yet it's either written off as an uncomfortable rite of passage or lumped in with other developmental phases. Based on her many years working in schools, professional counselor Phyllis Fagell sees these years instead as a critical stage that parents can't afford to ignore (and though "middle school" includes different grades in various regions, Fagell maintains that the ages make more of a difference than the setting). Though the transition from childhood to adolescence can be tough for kids, this time of rapid physical, intellectual, moral, social, and emotional change is a unique opportunity to proactively build character and confidence.

Fagell helps parents use the middle school years as a low-stakes training ground to teach kids the key skills they'll need to thrive now and in the future, including making good friend choices, negotiating conflict, regulating their own emotions, be their own advocates and more. To answer parents' most common questions and struggles with middle school-aged children, Fagell combines her professional and personal expertise with stories and advice from prominent psychologists, doctors, parents, educators, school professionals and middle-schoolers themselves

About the Author
Phyllis Fagell is a licensed clinical professional counsellor, a certified professional school counsellor, and a journalist. She has worked in both public and private schools with students in grades K-12, focusing on middle school for the last several years. She currently works full time as the school counsellor for Sheridan School in Washington, D.C. She also provides therapy to children, teens and families in private practice.


Book Information
ISBN 9780738235080
Author Phyllis L. Fagell
Format Paperback
Page Count 288
Imprint Da Capo Lifelong
Publisher Hachette Books
Weight(grams) 320g
Dimensions(mm) 228mm * 150mm * 22mm