Not Much Just Chillin': The Hidden Lives of Middle Schoolers

I was excited to pick up this book and get to reading. Shortly into it, I found I had trouble keeping track of who was who and was frustrated by the structure of the book. It got in my way of following the characters and holding my interest. With that said, even if you have the same trouble I did following characters, the book does serve as a good reminder of what kids are going through at that age and a bit of an eye opener to what more current topics and issues are.I feel it's view may be a limited one in that it only studies one school in one state. So, in general themes it may be insightful but in more specific terms - not so much. Additionally, I am not sure what all of Perlstein's qualifications are - I know she is an education journalist - what exactly that is, I am not sure. I know she immersed herself in Wilde Lake Middle School for a year... it reads more like a survey than what I was expecting.

As a teacher I am in love with this book. It was one of the best reads I have had in a long time. As a parent who had a middle school student, I wish I had read this before middle school days. Its so insightful and full of reality, especially for todays kids.

I would recommend this book for teachers or parents. Great book and gives insight on middle schoolers. Book was also great quality.

All parents and teachers of middle school kids could benefit from reading this. MG is a rollercoaster of changing emotions and physical attributes. I found it sad to see some city kids especially seem to be drawn already to sexual promiscuity on some level at such a young age as if it were part of their culture.

As a teacher in middle school I found this book to be incredibly accurate in portraying the thoughts and actions of middle schoolers. It gives an earnest insight into what a middle schooler goes through. It is an excellent guide for parents as well as middle schoolers, to show that they are not alone in what they are experiencing. Today there is little research on the preteen age and this book offers great perspectives presented in the eyes of middle schoolers. I recommended it to not only my fellow teachers, but to parents of my students as well. I am currently reading it to my students and they love it!

The WLMS population encompasses every socioeconomic level from subsidized housing residents to doctors, lawyers, scientist (Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab) and Federal Government employees. We have a high percentage of children for whom English is not their native language. There are Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Budist and other religions represented. It is America in microcosm. I believe that Ms. Perlstein captured the diversity and richness of WLMS and I'm proud that my two children are receiving their education there.

Haven’t read this as it was a gift, but was as described.

I've just read the intro and first chapter. Already I have highlighted about 5 passages that exactly fit my 13 year old 7th grader. So nice to know that what he's going through is more typical than I realized. Also nice because he doesn't like to share a lot, so this is a way to get in his head a little. Hope the rest is this good!