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.
Digital Goddess
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a testament to its innovation. Audiobooks have become my constant companions, and this app's seamless functionality and diverse compatibility ensure that every tale is a captivating journey. ππ§ The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
Miss Murder
With this app, I've turned my daily commutes into exciting journeys through the world of literature. I'm amazed at how effortlessly I can immerse myself in books through this app. ListenBook is a prime example of user-centered design. It's clear that the developers understand audiobook lovers' needs. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my audiobook library look organized and polished. This audiobook exceeded all my expectations! The narrator's ability to convey emotion through voice alone was remarkable. I laughed, I gasped, I might have even teared up at points - all because of the incredible vocal performance. The story came alive in a way reading alone couldn't achieve.
Alias Stick
I can't get enough of this app's intuitive design β it's like a personal library right at my fingertips. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly improved the audio quality of my recordings. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app.
Ship Whip
This app has turned my long walks into delightful literary adventures. Listening to audiobooks has never been this convenient and enjoyable! ListenBook's auto-rewind feature is a thoughtful addition that ensures I never miss a single word. I can't get over how smooth the playback is. Even high-quality files play flawlessly. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
Father Abbot
ListenBook has become my trusted companion, making even the busiest days enjoyable. With ListenBook, I've rediscovered my love for audiobooks. The binaural audio processing is a game-changer for comfortable, fatigue-free listening.
Roller Girl
Effortlessly exploring new worlds β this app's design is user-centric and efficient. ListenBook has become my workout companion. It keeps me engaged and entertained during exercise. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks. Very convenient. This app is perfect for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is sleek and modern, and the playback controls are super responsive. I also appreciate the cloud integration, which lets me access my books from anywhere. Great work! Highly engaging! The combination of a well-written story and skilled narration made this audiobook hard to pause. I finished it much faster than I expected because I just couldnβt stop listening.
NemesisX
This app has made my road trips and flights infinitely more enjoyable. With this app, I can enjoy my favorite stories while traveling, making my journeys more delightful. πΆπ Tuning in to the symphony of stories β audiobooks are the soundtrack of my daily routines. π΅π
General Finish
This app is a gift for anyone with a busy lifestyle β I can enjoy books while doing chores! I'm absolutely in love with this app! The interface is so intuitive and user-friendly. Being able to download audiobooks for offline listening is a game-changer. π Unleashing the power of audiobooks with this user-friendly app β it's like having a personal storyteller on demand! ππ₯ ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances the audio quality to a whole new level.
Hemlock
The controls on ListenBook are intuitive and user-friendly, making it a joy to navigate through my audiobooks. This app has made multitasking a breeze β I can listen while I work, cook, or exercise. ListenBook's library organization and book groups make managing my collection effortless. With this app, I've found a way to make my daily errands more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. Elegant design and user-friendly interface. Love it!
ByteBard
ListenBook's support for a variety of download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best. I'm grateful for ListenBook's support for a wide range of formats, making it a one-stop solution for audio content.
Thunder Tank
This app has transformed my daily walks into insightful journeys of knowledge β talk about efficiency! π Unleashing the power of audiobooks with this user-friendly app β it's like having a personal storyteller on demand! ππ₯ Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's comprehensive features, from statistics tracking to enhanced audio quality, enrich my reading. πβ¨
Instant Star
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch has made my listening experience even more seamless. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to introduce them to captivating stories.
GuTzd
ππ Reigniting my passion for books β this app is my newfound reading obsession! π₯π§ Playback speed and volume controls are fantastic. The interface is sleek and modern. Itβs a joy to use. This audiobook spoiled me for others! The narrator's professional delivery set a high bar - perfect diction, ideal pacing, and emotional authenticity. The recording quality was equally impressive with no distracting artifacts. I finished it far too quickly because I couldn't stop listening.
VPR
The ListenBook app has transformed my device into a portable audiobook library that I can carry everywhere. ListenBook's dedication to enhancing the audiobook experience has made it my preferred app for listening to content on the go. This app's seamless integration with my devices has made audiobook listening a hassle-free experience. πΆββοΈπ Strolling through stories on a lazy afternoon β this app is my relaxation buddy! ποΈπ§ A decent listen overall. The narration was clear, though some character voices sounded similar. The story was interesting but had moments where it dragged slightly. Still, it was a good way to pass the time.
MeeP
ππ Embarking on literary journeys even with my eyes closed β bedtime stories have taken a new form with this app! π΄π§ π§ Carrying a world of literature in my headphones β this app's convenience is truly remarkable. ππ« The library organization feature is a blessing. My audiobooks are finally organized and easy to find.
Iron Jesus
π Accessing my favorite authors and genres is a breeze with this app's user-friendly functionality. π±π§ Navigating through chapters is a breeze. It's like having a personal reading guide.
Truth
ListenBook Pro is totally worth it. Unlimited audiobook length β I'm in! Bookmarking favorite parts of audiobooks is a breeze. It's like having a personalized study guide.
Miss Fix It
This app has turned my long walks into delightful literary adventures. No need to convert files anymore β ListenBook's seamless playback of various formats is a game-changer for audiobook enthusiasts like me! ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear dictaphone recordings. Unlimited audiobook length with ListenBook Pro is a game-changer.
Dark Burn
The ability to highlight passages and take notes while listening is a fantastic feature. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro adds a personalized touch to my audiobook experience. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is fascinating. I can alter the reader's voice to match my moodβwhat a creative addition! ListenBook has transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. It's an indispensable part of my routine.
Wings
Audiobooks on this app have made studying and learning a more enjoyable process. 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§ ListenBook has become my workout buddy. It keeps me entertained and motivated during exercise. ListenBook has become my gateway to new worlds, allowing me to explore stories, ideas, and knowledge.
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