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 Equinox
I can't believe how much time I've saved thanks to this efficient app! Adjusting playback speed has transformed the way I consume audiobooks. I can tailor the pacing to match my learning style and preferences. ListenBook’s playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace. I’m so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app!
Beetle King
Chapters, configurable auto-rewind, and bookmarks on ListenBook keep me in control of my content. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers!
Trigger Warming
This app has turned my daily commute into a source of inspiration and entertainment. Listening to audiobooks on this app has become my favorite way to relax. This app is a lifesaver! I can now enjoy my favorite books on the go. The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices. This app is a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. The ability to adjust skip intervals and playback speed is fantastic. I also love the auto-bookmark feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Worth every penny!
TulipCake
The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that enhances my listening experience. It's these thoughtful touches that matter! I love the ability to import books from my computer. It’s so easy.
Stick Shift
ListenBook's configurable auto-rewind after interruptions is a smart addition that keeps me on track. With this app, reading is no longer a task – it's a delightful habit.
Palomino
This app is not just about convenience – it's a gateway to new horizons of knowledge. 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!
Dez Bonbon
🎉 Rekindling my love for reading – this app makes each day a new adventure! 📖🚀 Book groups feature keeps series and related titles together. Neat and tidy!
LoreLoomer
I can't believe how much more I'm 'reading' now, all thanks to this app. With ListenBook, my audio content is organized, accessible, and ready to inspire me. 🎶 Saying goodbye to tangled headphones and complex controls – this app's easy navigation has made audiobook listening a breeze. 🎵📖 Downloading over WiFi saves so much time. Very efficient. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars!
Kazmii
The ability to switch between devices seamlessly is a game-changer for busy readers. With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. My audiobook collection has never looked better. Thanks to automatic artwork and metadata. The app supports background playback, which is a must for me. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers!
Hella Fella
I've become a more empathetic listener and reader, thanks to the power of audiobooks. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my content wherever I go. I love how ListenBook caters to various formats, making it versatile and accommodating for all my audiobooks. 🏝️ Soaking up the sun with an audiobook by my side – beach days just got better! 🏖️📖 Automated extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my library.
Kazami of Truth
This app is a book lover's dream come true – a vast library right at your fingertips. With this app, my audiobook library is organized and accessible, making my reading journey effortless. I'm in awe of how this app has made reading seamlessly fit into my lifestyle. Say hello to audiobook nirvana! This app's user-friendly design and comprehensive features have made my reading routine smoother than ever. 🌌📚
Martini Flower
I love how ListenBook extracts artwork and metadata from audio files, adding a visual touch to my listening experience. ListenBook's commitment to user experience shines through its thoughtful design and seamless functionality. Perfect for listening to educational materials. Highly efficient and useful.
Mallow Man
This app's convenience has made reading a consistent part of my life. I've recommended this app to all my fellow audiobook enthusiasts. It's a game-changer! The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
Pocket Mazda
Precise controls on ListenBook give me complete command over my audio playback. This app is a time-saver – I can 'read' even when I'm on the move. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
Disco Potato
ListenBook has made audiobook listening more convenient and enjoyable than ever before. I can't believe how seamless the integration with Apple Watch is. My workouts just got better. ListenBook's library organization keeps my audiobooks neat and accessible. A true organizational lifesaver! Tone adjustment is a brilliant addition that lets me personalize the narration to my liking. It adds an extra layer of connection to the audiobooks. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my recordings sound clearer than ever.
NexusNavigator
I can't believe how much more productive I am – I'm learning and growing while multitasking! ListenBook's comprehensive support for a wide range of audio formats sets it apart from other audiobook apps. 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. Smooth playback and great sound quality. ListenBook is my new favorite app! Perfect for both first-time listeners and audiobook veterans! The narrator's warm, inviting tone made this an incredibly comfortable listening experience. I particularly appreciated how well they handled dialogue - each character felt distinct without being cartoonish. The pacing kept me engaged throughout.
Terror Master
ListenBook has redefined my audiobook journey, making it more enjoyable and convenient than ever before. No need to convert files anymore – ListenBook's seamless playback of various formats is a game-changer for audiobook enthusiasts like me! ListenBook's support for playlists in the CUE format makes organizing and enjoying audiobook series a delightful experience.
Father Abbot
ListenBook's audio filters have transformed the way I experience audio content – it's a real game-changer. ListenBook has streamlined my audiobook experience. It's a must-have app for enthusiasts. A functional audiobook. It kept me entertained, but I wasn’t blown away. The narrator’s performance was competent, though some emotional scenes fell a bit flat.
Trixie
With ListenBook, I can explore new genres, learn new topics, and enjoy classic literature with ease. 🎉📚 This app has rekindled my love for books – I can't stop listening! 🚀🎧 ListenBook's interface is so intuitive. I was up and running in no time. Binaural audio processing reduces listening fatigue. Fantastic feature! The app is so well-designed. It’s clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Ember Master
This app has added a touch of magic to my mundane moments – I'm forever grateful. ListenBook has truly transformed my audiobook experience. The sleek interface, extensive format support, and easy downloading options make it my go-to app! ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay is a huge plus during long drives. ListenBook has completely elevated my audiobook experience. It's an integral part of my daily routine. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a revelation. It elevates the audio quality, providing a clear and immersive listening experience that enhances my enjoyment.
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