Book description
An empowering guide for parents and teachers seeking a positive, practical alternative to the confusion and struggles of middle school."A must-read for anyone who has a tween or works with tweens." - Madeline Levine, New York Times bestselling author of The Price of Privilege and Ready or NotHow can parents stay close with their children through middle school? How do we help middle schoolers discover who they are, enjoy friendships, and manage their growing emotions? What kinds of learning experiences will keep them curious and motivated?These and more questions are answered in this highly engaging and informed guide to the middle school years. Chris Balme draws on his experience as a middle school founder, principal, and teacher, together with the latest adolescent neuroscience. He shows what is going on in the brains of middle schoolers, and how that affects everything from their friendships to the way they relate to parents or show up in a classroom.Parents will gain insight into how to transform their parenting to help middle schoolers find greater independence, connect well with peers, and have the deepest learning possible in and out of school. Educators will learn about the developmental keys to making middle school a place of belonging, with deep social and emotional learning and academics that draw out students' full motivation and potential.Praise for Finding the Magic in Middle School"I love Finding the Magic in Middle School - as a parent of tweens, an educator, and a school design innovator. Chris's love for young people and the awkward but powerful path of self-discovery they travel in the middle school years is obvious, and its clarity inspires us to see and want to enable the magic. Weaving together brain research, storytelling, and design insights, Chris breaks us free from the old narrative of adolescence."- Kim Smith, Co-Founder of NewSchools Venture Fund and Pahara Institute"What Chris Balme calls the "Ultimate Underdogs"-middle schoolers-are in for a better time of it now that he's written this book. After 20 years of working with this underestimated, under-trusted, under-stimulated swath of humanity, Balme has distilled what they need most, and how to give it to them. Hint: It doesn't look like your old social studies class."- Lenore Skenazy, author of Free Range Kids
About the Author
CHRIS BALME has led two innovative middle schools, trained thousands of parents and teachers, and received the Ashoka Fellowship for his work as a leading global changemaker in education. He is endlessly curious about how we raise wise, loving, and capable young people. Chris lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife and three children. Find him at www.chrisbalme.com.
Viceswerve
Audiobook enjoyment has never been this convenient. This app's sleek design and efficient organization ensure that every story is accessible and enjoyable. ππ ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a fun way to experiment with the audiobook experience. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature streamlines the process of adding new content to my library. Quick access to chapters is a blessing. No more scrolling through endless content. Playback speed and volume controls are top-notch. Highly recommend.
180
Finally, an app that supports all audiobook formats! Flawless playback. Bookmarks have become my study companion. I can easily revisit important passages in my audiobooks. ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a game-changer.
Airport Hobo
With ListenBook, I've found a versatile and enjoyable way to listen to audiobooks and expand my knowledge. ListenBook's audio filters are a fantastic addition, enhancing the sound quality of my audio files. This app has reignited my love for literature and made it a part of my everyday life. With this app, I've found a way to turn every moment into an opportunity for learning and enrichment. This served its purpose as background listening while I worked. I probably missed some details but the narrator's voice was pleasant enough.
Delicious
π Igniting my imagination while preparing dinner β this app adds flavor to every meal! π²π Love how I can adjust playback speed and audio volume. ListenBook caters to all my needs.
Kitchen
Listening to audiobooks while gardening has made my outdoor time even more relaxing. ListenBook's customizable features, from playback speed to audio filters, cater to every audiobook lover's preferences. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has transformed the audio quality. It's crystal clear now. The audio quality is excellent, and the interface is intuitive. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. An acceptable audiobook that met basic expectations. No complaints about quality but nothing remarkable either. Would listen to this narrator again but wouldn't seek them out.
DreamWeaver
ListenBook has made me fall in love with audiobooks all over again β it's a must-have app. With this app, my daily commute has transformed into an engaging journey through captivating stories.
Cupid Dust
πΆπ Replacing melodies with literary symphonies β my ears are in love! π΅π π This app is a game-changer β its intuitive design and seamless functionality make listening to audiobooks a joy. ππ§ πββοΈπ I'm conquering literary marathons with ease, all thanks to this app's intuitive controls and smooth functionality. π±π ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is an innovative touch that adds a layer of personalization. Chapters make navigation a breeze. I can easily pick up where I left off.
Sepukku
I'm grateful for this app's ability to fit seamlessly into my lifestyle, making learning a part of my day. Quick access to chapters is so handy. Navigating through content is a breeze. Automated artwork and metadata extraction make my library look organized and visually appealing.
DreadSherX
Chapters, configurable auto-rewind, and bookmarks on ListenBook keep me in control of my content. Looping playback is my secret weapon for language learning. It's revolutionized my approach. An audiobook Iβll listen to again! The story was engaging, and the narratorβs performance made it even better. Some parts were so well-delivered that I replayed them just to hear the emotion again.
CuriousCoder
Listening to books in their original language has improved my foreign language skills. This app's compatibility with various devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I go. π§ββοΈβ Savoring moments of tranquility with a cup of tea and captivating tales! π΅π The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Prometheus
Every moment is a chance to explore new stories with this app. Its intuitive features and compatibility ensure my audiobook journey is seamless. ππ§ Auto-rewind is a very handy feature. Excellent app.
Toolmaker
This app has reignited my love for literature and made it a part of my everyday life. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to share the joy of storytelling with friends and family. It fosters connections and conversations. Downloading over WiFi is quick and efficient. Saves a lot of time.
THRESHmSTR
The narrator's voices are so soothing β a perfect way to unwind after a stressful day. I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my passport to countless stories. is a breeze with ListenBook. It's convenient and efficient. ListenBookβs support for Apple Watch is a great touch. I can control my audiobooks on the go.
Twitch
I'm able to catch up on my reading list even during the busiest days. This app is my audiobook haven. With a user-friendly interface and features like audio filters, I'm engrossed in stories like never before. ππ ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback features have become indispensable tools in my audiobook learning. This was an adequate audiobook for casual listening. The narrator maintained a consistent pace and clear diction throughout, though their performance lacked some emotional range. The audio quality was fine with no significant technical distractions.
Dancing Madman
This app is a treasure trove of knowledge, entertainment, and imagination. Finally, an app that lets me organize my audiobooks effortlessly. The library organization and book groups feature make navigation a breeze. Bookmarking favorite parts of audiobooks is a breeze. It's like having a personalized study guide. Downloading audiobooks over WiFi is super easy. Saves time.
Sand Whiskers
This app is a must-have for any book lover on the go β it's my daily companion. Gone are the days of struggling with formats. Thanks to this app, my audiobook journey is a breeze, and every tale is a tap away. Highly recommended! ππ§ Automatic metadata retrieval is a neat touch. My library is well-organized. Bookmarking favorite parts of audiobooks is a breeze. It's like having a personalized study guide.
Joker's Grin
I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily activities more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook journey. ListenBook has become my trusted companion. It's my go-to app for expanding my knowledge and enjoyment.
InfinityInsight
I'm blown away by the range of non-fiction audiobooks available β so much to learn! This app's convenience and ease of use have transformed my screen time into productive learning sessions. This app's convenience has revolutionized the way I experience books.
King Bass
Simplifying audiobook adventures β this app's ease of use is a delight. I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend!
Star Killer
The narrator's voices are so engaging, it's like having a personal storytelling session. ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay enhances my daily commute, making it a productive and enjoyable experience. The app is well-designed and user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a joy.
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience