Review of A Smart Girl's Guide to Starting Middle School

This is a smart choice for any girl who doesn't know what to expect from middle school.

It doesn't matter if you call it middle school or junior high school, for tweens it's a milestone and a challenge. For any girl who doesn't know what to expect from the middle school years, A Smart Girl's Guide to Starting Middle School is a resource well worth the investment.

The book, authored by Julie Williams and published by American Girl, is one of several books in the famous company's lineup. Other books in the American Girl library include A Smart Girl's Guide to Boys, A Smart Girl's Guide to Friendship Troubles, A Smart Girl's Guide to Sticky Situations, and A Smart Girl's Guide to Manners.

This publication focuses exclusively on the trials and tribulations girls might encounter as they make the transition from elementary school to middle school. The advice is straight and to the point, and the book maintains a fun tone throughout.

The book begins by offering optimism, and informing girls that while middle school may be different, it's a chance for a new start. Advice includes keeping yourself organized, dealing with teachers, managing homework, managing new schedules and dealing with the heartbreak of friendships that don't last.

In addition, the book shows tweens how to work lockers and locker combinations, figure out what after-school activities to sign up for, deal with a bad day, pack a back pack, make new friends, and much more.

The author also focuses on issues that might throw young middle schoolers off track such as having multiple teachers, making it to class on time, and how to handle the temptation of cheating. The book's contemporary illustrations give the book a friendly feel, as does the writer's voice. Snappy graphics complete the package.

A Smart Girl's Guide to Starting Middle School would benefit any tween girl as she transitions from elementary school to the higher learning grades.