not much just chillin’ the hidden lives of middle schoolers By: linda perlstein

“Linda Perlstein has managed to embed herself in the lives and minds of middle schoolers, thoroughly capturing both the major issues and the minutiae that govern the course of these crucial years. A terrific read for parents and other adults who need to navigate along with them.” -RACHEL SIMMONS, author of Odd Girl Out: The Hidden Culture of Aggression in Girls “I thought adults had a ways to go in how they dealt with kids this age and could make more of a difference than they assume. Teachers can do better if they understand the distinct developmental phases of middle schoolers, their unique needs, what they’re capable of and what they’re not.” -LINDA PERLSTEIN

“To unearth the secrets of youth culture, you don’t have to go undercover. But you have to be present, practically all the time.” -LINDA PERLSTEIN

Social Lives LYLAS – Love Ya Like A Sister BBFE - Best Buds Forever “It seems like everyone is ganging up on me these days and taking sides… like, one day we’ll be really cool and hang out and the next day one of them is all mad at me for saying the wrong thing.” Lily sees Alexandra as competition for Mia’s attention Her clothes aren’t in fashion. “‘Cause my clothes sorta stick out from everyone else.”

“For most children, middle school is a time when the hormones bubble, when boys and girls notice each other that way.” -LINDA PERLSTEIN

SEX When I’m with you, the caterpillars in my stomach turn to butterflies. I want to give you oral sex. I really want to suck on your head. Love, Daphne I can’t got out with you anymore. It’s not you it’s me….. Can you die if you have a baby? How does the baby come out of the vagina if it’s so small? why do people always take sex as a play thing?

“In middle school, you’re going through so many changes. It’s not fun for most people……” - LINDA PERLSTEIN

Health Class: Your Changing Body, Drugs Are Bad, Breakfast Is Good, blah blah blah. “It’s hard to imagine being a man, shaving…” He gets bored more easily, his temper slips from his grasp… he has no more control over (this) than he does over the growth of his feet. “Weed is a seed that grows in the ground. If God didn’t like it wouldn’t be found.” Jimmy thinks nothing of embarrassing his parents in public, returning the favor.

there’s always next quarter but what does this actually have to do with real life? there’s nothing to be scared of in middle school An hour later, heading to English and thinking about the lunch table, Elizabeth all of a sudden breaks down – absolutely breaks down. If Eric were the boss of school – well, if Eric were the boss of school, he would abolish it. “Is six out of eight ok?”

“It’s important for adults not to underestimate the amount of influence they still have over children during middle school, and how much kids still care what grown-ups think of them… kids need them more than ever – just in slightly different ways” -LINDA PERLSTEIN