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.
Valley Guardian
Effortless and enriching β that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its smooth interface and thoughtful features have set the bar high for audiobook enjoyment. π±π Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a great way to spread the joy of storytelling with friends. Navigating through chapters has never been easier. It's a user-friendly delight.
White Dragon
The chapters feature on ListenBook enhances my audiobook exploration β it's like flipping through pages. This app has enriched my daily routine with the joy of stories and knowledge. User-centric audiobook joy β this app's ease of use is impressive. Automated artwork and metadata extraction add a professional touch to my audiobook collection. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
Twisty Freesia
Background play feature lets me multitask while enjoying a book β brilliant! The Looping playback and Shuffle features on ListenBook help me customize my listening sessions to my liking. The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that enhances my listening experience. It's these thoughtful touches that matter! The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple. ListenBookβs audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience.
Vagabond Warrior
Streamlining my audiobook journey β this app's design is top-notch. I can't believe how easy it is to download audio from various sources. So convenient! ListenBook has completely elevated my audiobook experience. It's an integral part of my daily routine. Noise reduction in ListenBook Pro ensures crystal-clear playback even in noisy environments.
RiddleRover
I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my daily dose of literary magic. Audiobooks have become a source of inspiration and motivation, thanks to this app. Audiobooks at my fingertips β this app's functionality is a true marvel. Auto-rewind feature is extremely helpful. Great functionality. The app is perfect for people who love to read but donβt have the time.
QuestQuill
With ListenBook, I've unlocked a world of educational and entertaining content right at my fingertips. Adjusting playback speed has revolutionized the way I consume audiobooks. I can cover more ground while maintaining comprehension.
Tea Kettle
Listening to audiobooks has become my daily ritual for relaxation and escape. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a social audiophile's dream. CUE playlist support is a rare gem. Perfect for organizing content efficiently. Drag and drop downloads are genius. It simplifies the entire process.
Baby Brown
With this app, I've turned my daily commutes into exciting journeys through the world of literature. Chapters make it so easy to pick up where I left off. No more hunting around. The layout is not only beautiful but also intuitive. Controls are easy to access. The interface is clean and intuitive. I was up and running in seconds. Looping playback helps me focus on challenging content and grasp complex concepts. A study must-have!
GuTzd
ListenBook has made me fall in love with audiobooks all over again β it's a must-have app. Kudos to the developers for optimizing this app for iOS 16. It runs like a dream on my device. The app is perfect for language learners. The playback speed control is a game-changer.
Kinged
I can't believe how much time I've gained by listening while cooking and doing chores. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a unique feature that adds a personalized touch to the listening experience.
Gamer Bean
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear dictaphone recordings. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a great way to connect over stories. Quick access to chapters and controls makes ListenBook a breeze to use. It's an intuitive experience. 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.
Zorkle Sporkle
The offline mode is a lifesaver on flights β I'm never without a good story. ListenBook has made my commutes more enjoyable, transforming them into learning sessions. Effortlessly exploring new worlds β this app's design is user-centric and efficient. Bookmarks are a lifesaver for study materials. I never lose my place again.
Dora the Destroyer
ListenBook's extensive statistics feature adds a new level of insight to my audiobook habits. This app is a game-changer for busy individuals who miss reading. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it an essential companion for my daily commutes and workouts. It's convenience at its finest! AirDrop and sharing make it easy to spread the audiobook love with friends. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature for those who enjoy organized and structured listening.
Pink Hopper
This app is my secret weapon for learning while I'm on the move. Savoring stories has never been this smooth β this app's functionality is genius. Audiobook multitasking made easy β this app's functionality is a marvel. Organization made simple β this app's efficient management of my audiobook collection ensures that every story is just a tap away. Convenience at its finest. ππ± CarPlay compatibility is a fantastic addition. It enhances my driving experience with seamless audiobook integration.
Parallax Sugar
I've never been this excited about my daily commute β thank you, audiobooks! Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my audiobook library look organized and visually appealing.
Mantis Queen
No more fighting over the radio during family trips β we're all hooked on audiobooks now. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly improved the audio quality of my recordings.
Necessary Momentum
No more straining my eyes β this app lets me 'read' with my ears! Audiobooks have become my go-to entertainment, and this app is the reason. Audiobooks made convenient β this app's functionality is impressive. ListenBook's compatibility with various audio formats is impressive. From MP3 to FLAC, it handles them all flawlessly. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. It's like having a personal assistant for my literary adventures.
Dahlia
ListenBook's dedication to excellence shines through in its impeccable audio quality and user-friendly features. ππ Rekindling my passion for books β this app has sparked a reading revolution in my daily life! π₯π Navigating audiobooks effortlessly β this app's functionality is commendable. The app supports background playback, which is a must for me. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve 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!
Loot
This app is a boon for book lovers who are always on the go. With this app, I've turned mundane tasks into moments of inspiration and education β it's brilliant! π₯ Spicing up my routine with this app β it's like having a personal storyteller on hand at all times! β¨π Effortless audiobook management β this app's usability is impressive. ListenBookβs playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
Lady Peach
With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual discovery and personal fulfillment. I'm amazed by the extensive statistics tracking. It's fascinating to see my listening habits. The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
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