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.
Titanium Ladybug
Audiobook pleasure simplified β this app's design is a true winner. The app is so well-designed. Itβs clear the developers put a lot of thought into it. The perfect balance between dramatic reading and natural storytelling. Felt like a friend telling me an amazing story rather than someone just reading words.
Uncle Buddy
ListenBook's sleek design and intuitive controls make it my go-to app for audiobooks. This app's sleek design and effortless controls have made audiobook listening an immersive experience. πΌ Making work hours fly by with captivating stories β a true work-life balance! π»π Bookmarks have become my study companion. I can easily revisit important passages in my audiobooks. The variety of supported formats means I can enjoy audiobooks from different sources hassle-free.
2nd Hand Joe
With ListenBook, my iPhone and iPad have become a gateway to a world of captivating stories. This app has made my downtime so much more productive and enjoyable. Effortlessly exploring new worlds β this app's design is user-centric and efficient. Efficiency meets audiobooks β this app's functionality is a true standout. Download options are abundant, from WiFi to iTunes. It's all about convenience with this app.
Winded On Friday
The app's features, like the sleep timer, make it clear that it's designed with readers in mind. I love the ability to change the font size. It makes reading the titles so easy.
Uncle Psycho
This app's support for various formats has made my audiobook collection even more diverse and exciting. I can't get enough of this app β it's a true game-changer for book lovers. Finally, an app that understands the power of CUE playlists. Perfect for organizing. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my audiobook library look organized and polished. This was a competent audiobook production with no major flaws. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough and the audio quality was acceptable, though not exceptional. While the performance didn't particularly stand out, it served its purpose adequately for my daily commute.
Barbwire
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a fun way to customize my listening experience. This audiobook app is a true gem β it brings stories to life with every click. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to spread the joy. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique touch β it's like having a personalized reading.
Swan Mustang
ListenBook has elevated my learning experience. I'm retaining more information than ever. ListenBook is hands down the best audiobook player Iβve ever used. The interface is clean, intuitive, and packed with features like customizable playback speed and sleep timers. It supports all formats, which is a huge plus for me. Highly recommend!
Mother Night
The ListenBook app is a must-have for anyone who loves to learn and be entertained through audiobooks. With ListenBook Pro, I can customize the tone of the sound to match my preferences β it's a fantastic touch. Gone are the days of waiting for the right time to read β this app is always ready.
Morbid Sugar
The interface is sleek and intuitive, making my audiobook experience a joy. ListenBook has all the features I need. My go-to audiobook app!
Good-lookinβ
πΆ Swapping background music for the soothing voices of narrators β audiobooks have become my soundtrack for daily life. π΅π ListenBook has breathed new life into my audiobook collection. I can't imagine using anything else. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
Mad Viral
With ListenBook, I've found a versatile and enjoyable way to listen to audiobooks and expand my knowledge. I love how this app seamlessly integrates into my busy schedule, making multitasking a breeze. 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
Atomic Blastoid
Audiobooks on this app have turned my exercise sessions into moments of education. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature simplifies the process of adding new audiobooks to my collection. Adjusting the tone of the voice is so innovative. It's like personalizing the narration. The audio filters to adjust playback speed and volume are a fantastic addition for customizing my experience.
Canary Apple Red
ListenBook has made my daily routines more vibrant and exciting with its immersive features. Noise reduction and voice tone changing are brilliant features.
LuminaLore
Being able to customize the listening duration is perfect for quick breaks. This app's user-friendly interface has made reading on-the-go a breeze. 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!
ThreadTrail
I can't believe how much I've 'read' since I started using this app. Library organization has never been this easy. My audiobook collection is finally tidy. ListenBook has redefined my audiobook experience. It's an essential tool that enhances every listening session. Makes audiobook listening super easy and enjoyable. Thanks, ListenBook!
Firefly Caramel
Listening to audiobooks while gardening has made my outdoor time even more relaxing. With ListenBook, I've found a way to make the most of my free time while indulging in my love for audiobooks. This app has become my go-to for audiobooks, adding a layer of convenience and enjoyment to my days. π₯ Adding a spark of excitement to my daily routine β this app is my secret weapon! β¨π
Sky Bully
I'm thrilled to finally have a way to enjoy books while keeping up with my busy schedule. I love how ListenBook extracts artwork and metadata from audio files, adding a visual touch to my listening experience. ListenBook is my daily companion, turning mundane tasks into exciting audio adventures. Audiobook lovers, meet your new best friend! This app's smooth playback and easy organization have transformed my reading experience. ππ§ Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that allows for a personalized listening experience.
Aqua Diva
With this app, I can enjoy my favorite stories while traveling, making my journeys more delightful. π Long road trips? No problem β this app keeps me entertained mile after mile! ππ WiFi downloads save a lot of time. Great feature!
RiddleRover
Kudos to the creators for making literature so accessible and enjoyable. The interface is sleek and user-friendly. Makes navigating through chapters a breeze. The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices.
WonderWords
The layout of ListenBook is so beautiful and user-friendly, making it a pleasure to use. π§ββοΈ Finding serenity through the soothing tones of audiobooks β mindfulness and stories in perfect harmony. π§ββοΈπ§
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