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.
Third Moon
Audiobooks have made my long drives enjoyable, and this app is my co-pilot. The ListenBook app has become an indispensable part of my daily routine, helping me learn and relax simultaneously. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a fantastic way to spread the joy. ListenBook has made my daily activities more interesting and meaningful – I'm hooked! Looping playback is my favorite feature. It's perfect for revisiting complex content.
Nibbler
Audiobooks have made my workouts more enjoyable, and I'm seeing results! ListenBook's customizable features, from playback speed to audio filters, cater to every audiobook lover's preferences. Quick access to chapters and controls makes ListenBook a joy to use. It's a seamless experience. ListenBook’s playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
CloudFrenzy
ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an essential tool for my audiobook enjoyment. ListenBook has completely transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. The chapter navigation is seamless, and the statistics feature is a fun way to track my listening progress. The app is stable, fast, and incredibly user-friendly. Five stars!
Oblivion
ListenBook's versatile player features are like having a personal audio assistant – it's that good! Gone are the days of straining my eyes to read – this app lets me 'read' with my ears, anywhere, anytime. This app's convenience has made reading a priority in my busy schedule. ⭐️ Who knew cleaning could be this exciting? This app turns chores into adventures! 🧹🏰 The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
Tacklebox
It's impressive how the app caters to both seasoned readers and newcomers. ListenBook's sleek interface and precise controls make it a joy to use during my daily listening sessions. Incredible character voices! Each person felt distinct without being over-the-top. The emotional scenes gave me chills with how well they were delivered.
Admiral Tot
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magic wand that transforms even the noisiest environments into cozy listening spaces. The app's interface is so sleek and modern. It's a joy to use. Good for background listening. I didn’t get fully immersed, but it was pleasant enough to have on while doing chores. The narrator’s voice was easy to listen to, even if the delivery lacked some energy.
ThoughtTrailblazer
ListenBook has given me a renewed appreciation for audio content – it's my new favorite app. Excellent support for various audio formats. Very satisfied.
Bambi Benz
🚗 Turning road trips into unforgettable adventures – audiobooks keep me entertained on the journey! 🚗📖 Effortless audiobook exploration – this app's design is a reader's dream. The app is very intuitive. ListenBook makes finding and playing audiobooks simple.
Achilles Mountain
ListenBook's dedication to excellence is evident in its well-designed interface, smooth playback, and powerful features. I'm hooked on this app's ability to turn any moment into a reading opportunity. Effortlessly immersing in stories – this app's ease of use is a game-changer.
Mud Eye
With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual growth and personal enjoyment. ListenBook is my trusted partner for all things audiobooks. It's reliable, intuitive, and user-friendly. Elegant design and user-friendly interface. Love it! The app is well-designed and user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a joy.
Marshmallow Treat
With this app, I can switch seamlessly between my iPhone and iPad, making my reading experience continuous. Audiobook enjoyment has become an integral part of my routine, thanks to this app's seamless integration and user-friendly design. A must-have! 📖📱 I'm amazed by the extensive statistics tracking. It's fascinating to see my listening habits. Middle-of-the-road experience. The audiobook was fine—good narration, decent story—but it didn’t leave a lasting impression. If you’re looking for something low-commitment, this works.
AirportHobo XD
I'm hooked on this app – it's like Netflix for book lovers! The captivating narrators make each story come alive in a unique way. ListenBook has transformed my listening habits, making them more engaging and enjoyable. Shuffle playback is a fun feature. It keeps me engaged with my audiobooks. Finally, an app that handles all my audiobook formats effortlessly. ListenBook is a must-have!
Orange Teflon
This app is my travel companion – making long journeys enjoyable and insightful. 🎉📚 This app has rekindled my love for books – I can't stop listening! 🚀🎧 Automatic metadata extraction is a time-saver. My library is finally well-organized.
Runway Darling
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear listening in noisy environments. ListenBook has transformed my daily activities into opportunities for personal growth. 📱 No more lugging around heavy books – this app brings the library to my phone! 📚📱
Station WMD
Navigating chapters is a breeze with ListenBook. It's a user-friendly and seamless experience. The listening stats feature is awesome. I can track my audiobook habits effortlessly.
Mum Mary
With this app, I've found a way to turn every moment into an opportunity for learning and enrichment. 🎉 This app has ignited my passion for reading – I can't get enough of its convenience! 📚🔥 🏝️🎧 Soaking up the sun while indulging in beach reads – this app is my ultimate relaxation companion. 🏖️📚 Book groups help me keep series together and navigate my collection more efficiently. A great feature! Automatic metadata extraction is a time-saver. My library is finally well-organized.
Athens Fire
I'm amazed at how this app has brought back the joy of reading into my daily routine – thank you! This app is like a personal audiobook concierge! The ability to download and organize audio files effortlessly is a game-changer for my reading routine. 📱📖 ListenBook's compatibility with a wide range of audio formats ensures that no audiobook is off-limits. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fantastic way to introduce them to captivating stories.
Admiral Tot
The audio filters to adjust playback speed and volume are a fantastic addition for customizing my experience. Makes listening to audiobooks easy and enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook! This app is perfect for audiobook lovers. The interface is beautiful and easy to navigate.
TrinitySoul
I've become an audiobook addict, all thanks to this amazing app. ListenBook has made my daily routines more vibrant and exciting with its immersive features. ListenBook's features are a dream come true for anyone who loves to learn on the go. 🏡 Making house chores more enjoyable – audiobooks help me stay engaged while tidying up the living space. 🏠📚 🎙️ This app's functionality is a symphony of efficiency – I'm enjoying audiobooks without missing a beat in my day. 🎶📚
Old Man Winter
Audiobooks have made my morning routine something to look forward to. I love the ability to change the playback speed. It’s perfect for my needs.
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