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.
Freeway
I'm addicted to this app's seamless performance and impressive library. Gone are the days of straining my eyes to read β this app lets me 'read' with my ears, anywhere, anytime. This app's seamless integration with my devices has made audiobook listening a hassle-free experience. ποΈ Basking in the sun while indulging in literary adventures β this app makes outdoor relaxation even better. βοΈπ From MP3 to FLAC, this app plays them all flawlessly. Say goodbye to compatibility issues!
Genghis Glyph
πββοΈπ Running through chapters has never been smoother β the app's streamlined functionality keeps me on track with my reading goals. πββοΈπ§ ListenBook's commitment to a user-friendly interface and intuitive controls is evident in every aspect of the app. is a breeze. It's incredibly convenient for building my collection. The app never crashes. Itβs reliable and stable. 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!
Nightmare King
ListenBook's looping playback, shuffle feature, and configurable controls make learning a breeze. With ListenBook, every moment is an opportunity to explore new stories and gain knowledge. ListenBook is my go-to companion for immersive audiobook experiences. The ease of use and extensive format support make it a must-have!
ThoughtTracer
I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my constant companion for literary adventures. I love the ability to change the background color. Itβs a nice touch. Absolutely loved the narration! The voice actor brought the characters to life with distinct tones and emotions. The production quality was top-notch, with no background noise or distractions. A truly immersive experience!
Speedwell
This app is a true treasure for audiobook lovers β it's my go-to source for literary adventures! From novels to speeches, this app's versatility in playing different formats has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary listening sessions. π±π
Switch
ListenBook has made listening to audiobooks, lectures, and speeches an absolute pleasure. I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to play diverse formats flawlessly β it's a game-changer. The narrator's voice was like butter - smooth, rich, and utterly pleasant to listen to for hours. They handled complex sentences with ease, making even dense material accessible. I never had to rewind because I missed something due to unclear delivery. Perfection!
Virgo Moon
π± Carrying stories in my pocket β this app's convenience is a game-changer! πποΈ Effortless audiobook exploration β this app's functionality is a true delight. I love the ability to import books from my computer. Itβs so easy.
VenusXX
With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my daily routines more enriching and rewarding. I love the ability to change the background color. Itβs a nice touch. Solid performance overall though some character voices sounded too similar. I occasionally got confused about who was speaking in dialogue-heavy scenes.
Twiddle Twix
This app is a treasure trove of knowledge, entertainment, and imagination. With this app, reading is no longer a task β it's a delightful habit. Book groups feature keeps series and related titles together. Neat and tidy! ListenBook's player features are incredibly helpful. Chapters and bookmarks make navigation easy. Binaural audio processing really helps reduce fatigue.
Infinite Hole
ListenBook has brought stories back into my life, making every moment a new adventure. ListenBook's compatibility with various formats has made it my go-to app for all audio content. πΆββοΈπ This app's functionality makes every walk an adventure β I'm immersed in stories as I explore the world around me. ποΈπ Supports all my playlists and bookmarks perfectly. Easy chapter navigation and beautiful design make this app stand out.
The Final Judgement
Kudos to ListenBook for optimizing the app for iOS 16 β it shows their dedication to excellence. Tone adjustment is an innovative touch that adds a personal connection to the audiobook narration. It's like having a custom reading experience. ListenBookβs interface is clean and intuitive. Itβs a joy to use.
Station WMD
Kudos to the creators for making literature so accessible and enjoyable. π Dancing through chores with audiobooks β this app turns cleaning into a lively and literary affair! πΆπ Bookmarks are a lifesaver for my study materials. I can easily revisit important sections. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app.
Old Felix
The sheer variety of genres available ensures there's something for everyone. I appreciate the dark mode option. Itβs easy on the eyes during nighttime listening.
Bootleg Taximan
π± Carrying my library in my pocket β this app makes every moment a reading opportunity! ππ Supports all my playlists and bookmarks perfectly.
Orange Teflon
This app's user-friendly design makes navigating through books a breeze. I've found my new favorite way to relax β cuddled up with an audiobook. The chapters feature on ListenBook enhances my audiobook exploration β it's like flipping through pages. This app has rekindled my passion for storytelling in the most convenient way. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
Manly
This app's dedication to providing high-quality narration has made all the difference. The interface is sleek and modern. Itβs a joy to use.
K-Tin Man
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch, combined with its chapters, controls, and filters, make it the ultimate audiobook app! CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature for those who enjoy organized and structured listening. I can't get enough of the app's sleek interface and intuitive controls. It's a joy to use! ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily routine, becoming an indispensable companion for various activities. Its user-friendly interface, features, and performance make it a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts.
Sw00sh
ListenBook's support for various download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best. The range of supported formats is impressive. No more converting files! I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device. I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks, and this one stands out for its professional quality. The narrator struck the ideal balance between dramatic interpretation and letting the text speak for itself. The audio engineering was superb with consistent volume levels and crystal-clear recording.
DriftDetector
The controls on ListenBook are intuitive and user-friendly, making it a joy to navigate through my audiobooks. This app has added a new layer of enjoyment to my downtime β I'm truly grateful. π§ Carrying a world of literature in my headphones β this app's convenience is truly remarkable. ππ«
Hog Butcher
The app's performance is exceptional, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted audiobook experience. It's clear that it's designed with audiobook enthusiasts in mind. This audiobook performed its function without excelling. The narrator's delivery was straightforward and easy to follow, though lacking in dramatic flair. The recording quality was decent with only occasional minor inconsistencies in volume. An acceptable but forgettable listening experience.
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