You're Gonna Make It Through Junior High

by John Bytheway

If you've ever been left out, teased, or ignored; if you've ever felt intimidated, lonely, awkward, or self-conscious; if you've ever tried to survive a miserable day or month or year at school, then this is the book for you.

Favorite youth speaker and author John Bytheway writes: “Success is not measured by how many times your picture appears in the yearbook, but by how you let the gospel map guide you safely and without regrets to graduation day.”

Sharing experiences from his own seventh- through twelfth-grade years, John will make you laugh with some “same-boat therapy.” He'll also show you how the gospel can help you get over the rough spots. Bottom line? You're gonna make it!

Genres: Lds, Nonfiction, Religion, Self Help, Parenting, Inspirational, Church

128 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 1997

About the author

John Bytheway (born October 1962) is an American author and academic, who is well known as a comic motivational speaker for youth within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Born in Salt Lake City, Bytheway attended the University of Utah and Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo, Utah, receiving a Master's Degree in Religious Education. He also served as a missionary for the LDS Church in the Philippines.

Bytheway is a religious studies instructor at BYU, currently focusing on the Book of Mormon. He also serves on the Aaronic Priesthood/Young Women Writing Committee for the LDS Church. Bytheway and his wife Kimberly have six children.

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book because I read it out loud to my 12 year old son over the course of several months. It sparked some good discussion and he shared things I may not have heard otherwise so I appreciated the bonding time the book provided.

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely a book aimed for the middle-high schooler. My daughter who is starting 6th grade picked up this book to read- so I decided I would read it along with her-
It is an easy read- It did bring back interesting memories of High school and Middle school that you realize later on in life where growing experiences.
It was an uplifting book and encouraging. I am glad my daughter is reading it at this age and I hope that she takes it to heart that she can overcome all things in the teenage years and that if she holds on to her beliefs she is going to make it.

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a 14 year old girl and I picked this up because I wanted to read more books about the gospel and I love John Bythway. I’m so happy I read it because it really showed me the way to see the light and be the light in Highschool. If you are going in to Highschool or middle school read this!!

[Christian · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good little book, although he seemed to have a relatively decent time in jr high and high school. Seeing the perspective of someone who really struggled may have been more help for the target audience of the book. But there is a lot of valuable advice in here.

[Russell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am reading and reviewing this for credit for my LDS youth camp class. I will update my review when we finish it.

[Lucas · Rating 4 out of 5]

For Mr. Brenson’s LDS youth camp class. I am in group A.
I liked the chapters we read. Yes, I would recommend this book to other young Mormons.

[Brint · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reviewing for Brenson’s class. Group B. I did not like this book. I did not learn a lot from it. I would not recommend it to other young Mormons.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Positive, fun, quick.

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great “read aloud” with my two boys in middle school.

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was 12 and I was getting ready to go into the sixth grade, my mom bought this book for me to read. At the time I absoultely hated reading (actually hated with passion, but now its all I ever do) and I just set it on my bookshelf in my room and forgot about it. When my 6th grade started I had the hardest time adapting into the whole junior high thing and I struggled with trying to live up to my standards as an LDS youth and remain true to myself. I struggled with it all the way through 7th, 8th, and part of 9th grade. Well, I was cleaning out my bookshelf a few days ago and I came across the book and I read it and I really wish I had read it sooner.

"Your Gonna Make It Through Junior High" really helped me discover who I was and helped me stay true to myself and to the gosple. I loved the homework assignments he assigned and I am in the middle of trying out a few of them. I loved this book and I would reccommend it to any teenager whether LDS or not. It now has a home on my bookshelf that is not covered in dust!

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like John Bytheway then you'll like this book; it's a great read for the junior high set. I gave it to my 13 year old for Christmas, and since it was just lying around, I thought I'd pick it up to read for myself. One of my favorite things about the book is that John gives "homework assignments" to the reader that challenges them to discover who they are, what they admire, what they want to be, and overcome their fears. It's filled with personal examples from John's junior high and high school years that illustrate the importance of developing character. I definitely recommend it!

[kenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm in Middle School now, so I thought it would be appropriate for me to read this book. Can I just say that John Bytheway is absolutely hilarious? From the beginning of the book I was laughing! This book was extremely inspiring, he covered almost all of my insecurities about... Everything, basically. I loved looking at the scriptures he quoted in the book and highlighting my favorites. It helped me figure out how to get on my way to finding out more about myself. I feel like I can really step out of my shell now. Great book! A super quick and easy read. I really enjoyed it!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book! It gives a lot of helpful, spiritual insights on the everyday problems of Junior High and High School. It is also a very good, fun read, and I was laughing the whole way through! I would recommend this book to any and every teenager who is facing the problems and trials of their age. I think John Bytheway gave some very entertaining, helpful and hopeful advice to the youth.

[Dahlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book to read with my two older boys. It opened some great discussions for us. We talked a lot as we went through the book.

I plan to get more of John Bytheway to read with them so that we can have some more discussions.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this book so far - typical Bytheway style to make you laugh and make you think about what really matters. I'm considering buying it because I know I'll want to read this with each of my children before they enter junior high.

[Michelle S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light hearted and uplifting way to let teens know they can servive those crazy years

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a good book. John Bytheway is the best guy ever, and i love his stories. This helped me with eighth grade, and hopefully it'll help me with ninth.

[Janelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

read my last review on his book!..

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book for teens. I'm trying to get my teen to read it. It inspires them to be a leader not a follower and to find their strengths. He includes chapters on High School too.

[Richelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

its wonderful for kids who are in jr.high

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just gave this to my daughter for Christmas. Want to read it also.

[Connie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked hearing of John's personal trauma and eventual victory going through high school. Definitely meant for teens, but hey I still struggle with some of my teen issues so good for me too.

[Cathi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this for my kids, but I read it myself. I like the way John Bytheway addresses young people!

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book for teens

[Callie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't wait to give this to Kiana in... 4 years :)

[Frank · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book for teenagers!

[Tosca Wijns-Van Eeden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reliving high school through this tape was painful but I learned a lot. I am okay and I made it. Grateful for the shit I learned from and having a firm belief in God today.