Middle School Superpowers: Raising Resilient Tweens in Turbulent Times

by Phyllis L. Fagell

From the author of Middle School Matters , discover how to bolster any middle schooler’s resilience by leveraging the 12 Middle School Superpowers they need to manage disappointment, self-regulate emotions, take healthy risks, and recover from any setback.

Middle school can be one of the toughest times in a kid’s life—for them and for their parents and educators. It’s filled with transitions, upheaval, and brand-new experiences that can be overwhelming and intimidating. But licensed clinical professional counselor Phyllis Fagell has put together a practical, evidence-based, and compassionate guide for parents and educators to help their tweens through most challenging situations.

Middle School Superpowers teaches middle schoolers how to activate the 12 superpowers they need to discover their strengths and navigate tough decisions and Flexibility * Belonging * Sight * Bounce * Agency * Forcefield * Security * Healing * Vulnerability * Daring * Optimism * Balance

Whether they lose a friend, get cut from a team, make a mistake on social media, bomb a test, struggle with negative body image or identity-related issues, or feel weighed down by societal problems, these “superpowers” will help them find their place and thrive. Middle School Superpowers is the key to raising confident, self-aware, independent, and resilient kids who can recover from any setback—now and in the future.

PLEASE When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction, Education, Self Help, Family, Psychology

Audible Audio

Published August 1, 2023

Reviews

[Tanja · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is for anyone who dislikes midleschoolers and for all of us who love them but sometimes struggle to understand them.

Great book full of tips, anecdotes, statistics, ideas, and questions. It can only add value to any relationship, no matter how experienced you are as a parent or an educator.

I am usually picky about this kind of books but I am out of criticism for this one.

This book is for adults, but as I was listening to the audio version, my middle grader would, here and there, come in and listen with me. He enjoyed it as well and was a great conversation starter.

Good job!

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

While this book often assumes all kids this age are on social media and my daughter is not (and this book has made me even more convinced that is absolutely the right call!!!!), I still found it so, so helpful.

It was written in a clear way with sample scripts and tips. And it came on strong with a growth mindset strategy. Really perfect in tone and advice.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book- really anything I can read about middle school ages. There isn’t a lot out there! I thought there was lots of useful and specific ways to talk to your teen, good nuggets to think about and I was highlighting and underlining like crazy. Good parent and teacher discussion options and considerations. Would be a great book club pick.

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love working with middle schoolers, but I had to read this book for work, so I was not exactly predisposed to enjoy it. On top of that, I had assumed from the title that this would be about harnessing the 'superpowers' that middle schoolers are naturally good at (of which there are many!). There was some of that, definitely, but it seemed like more of the book was about things that are particularly hard for middle schoolers, and how their parents and teachers can fight to overcome those hurdles with their kids/students. Which is also helpful, of course, but... I don't know, not the vibe I had been expecting. As the school year approaches, I guess I would have preferred a book that was more energizing - something that focused more on the positives of this age group and less on the things they're likely to struggle with.

On top of that, this book seemed to have a lot more advice for parents than for educators (although there was definitely a fair amount of both, and obviously there is plenty of overlap). So in that sense I felt like I had been assigned to read a book for which I wasn't even the target audience. Which is, surprise surprise, not a great feeling.

There is plenty of useful stuff in this book, and I am hopeful that it will spark even more useful conversations with colleagues. But, did I LIKE reading it...? No more than I expected to, I'm afraid - which is to say, no.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I have to first say thank you for the free copy in exchange for an honest review. I immediately dug into this book upon receiving it. I have a son who just started 9th grade and husband is a middle school teacher.
I’m not sure there isn’t anything about this book I don’t love.
As a conservative parent, I found it full of good neutral, nonoffensive advice. I loved the format. There are excellent conversation tips in the back for parents, and there is also suggestions for educators. The first day I got it, I dug into a couple of chapters that concerned issues we were facing, and to me, it seemed pretty spot on. I learned some things that I had no idea I was doing wrong. I truly think it is a great resource for any parent with a kid in today’s society. There is so much to be dealt with in this day and age.
The author also really did her work in terms of research. I think that is one thing that makes this extremely helpful to middle school teachers, not just parents.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can count the times on one hand where I have seriously read a parenting book. I always found them so subjective and often felt as if the techniques/suggestions weren't applicable to my situation or my kid. This book, however...WOW! There is very little information out there for parents raising middle school-aged kiddos. Which is surprising since after newborn-hood, I have found this stage of parenting quite transformative for me, as the parent and my child. This books has such good strategies that are applicable for many children (neurodivergent included) and I really appreciate the importance of trying to help children through these tricky years of puberty. It took me a few weeks to read but I'm looking forward to referring to this months and years down the road. I will be recommending it to all parents who suddenly find themselves in a shrug emoji position when it comes to trying to understand their middle schooler.

[Britta]

12 chapters outline twelve different "superpowers" that parents and educators and other caring adults can help build into middle schoolers to help them navigate the challenging middle school years and into adulthood. (Can also be beneficial for older teens.) Written post-Covid pandemic, it uses knowledge gained from that experience, as well as more 'typical' experiences to develop each super power. Very readable and I love reading books that show middle schoolers in a positive, caring, optimistic light!

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this relevant and current advice that is so practical and helpful. Fagell clearly knows middle schoolers, has worked with middle schoolers, understands what makes them tick, and does a pretty fantastic job of explaining how to meet them where they are. I particularly appreciated how she acknowledges the impact of technology and COVID have played such a huge role in the social development of these kiddos.

[Lyndsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I took my time on this one. It was excellent. Will be referring back. Parents of tweens and teens can’t and shouldn’t shield children from all discomfort. Our job is to activate their powers to help them handle difficulties on their own. I particularly like the chapter on optimism, finding humor, and helping them experience new things, particularly in nature. Much of the book is easily adapted to adults and the struggles we experience daily as well.

[Stacie N Hanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of, if not the, very best parenting books I've ever read. It's a MUST read for parents - and educators - of upper elementary kids and up. Flagell shares incredible insights and perspectives along with practical tips. I only wish I'd had it sooner. I can't recommend Middle School Superpowers enough!

[Lisa Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The middle-school years can be SO challenging, but Fagell offers reassurance, expertise and detailed guidance for parents. With engaging anecdotes and research-based insights drawn from her extensive experience as a professional school counselor, Fagell provides parents with the roadmap they need as they shepherd their kids through the early teen years.

[Sarah Shiley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to rate it 3.5. The authors voice was fine, but the book required concentration to absorb (not an easy read), and I still don't feel I got very many clear tips/ideas of how to support my middle schooler. It had a lot of anecdotes, statistics, and examples of middle schoolers expressing feelings of mental struggle.

[Cara Byrne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book after Lisa Damour recommended it, and I found it really engaging with great snapshots throughout. Even though my oldest is only 9, so much of the advice is applicable at her age as well.

[Gabrielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

For any parents or educators. This book has 12 great chapters with “case-study” scenarios at the top of each that often had me laughing. The ideas are clear and researched. The suggestions are doable, practical, and realistic.

[Alissa Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy and insightful

I led a 6 week educator PLC using this book. We met to discuss two chapters each week. The information was insightful and the writing style was easy to read. I loved the kid quotes at the start of each chapter and the bullet points at the end of each chapter.

[Maegan Burson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book a little bit each morning for about a month. I find it hard to read parenting books fast…It’s just so much to soak in 😜. I found lots of great advice in it to help with raising my middle schooler. For sure this was worth the read. It wasn’t boring and even had some funny parts!

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book! It covers so much about tweens, vulnerability, friendships, school, mental illness, resilience, etc. There are suggestions for teachers and parents at the end of each section. These are great ideas for adults to use, too, especially for coping and reflection.

[Rolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid advice, though I wish it went into more depth on each point.

[Rebecca N · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have a middle schooler in your life, read this book! It’s got some hot tips and good reminders about the most important skills for those tweens!

[Joy Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an informative and thoughtful book to support tweens and teens. It was filled with knowledge and tips to help us be the buffers (vs. fixers) our children need during these critical years.

[K]

Good read. Middle school is so hard especially in this day and age …

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC from NetGalley- might be good to use as a book study but I found it was a lot of superficial talk and strategies that sound good in theory but don’t actually work when implemented.

[Dara · Rating 4 out of 5]

With my youngest son in 8th grade, I thought this would be an appropriate book for me to learn techniques for dealing with disappointment, emotions, and more. It’s a difficult time for many kids! I felt it was also applicable to my older kids as well. Whether they lose a friend, get cut from a team, make a mistake on social media, bomb a test, struggle with negative body image or identity-related issues, or feel weighed down by societal problems, these ‘superpowers’ will help them find their place and thrive. Middle School Superpowers is the key to raising confident, self-aware, independent, and resilient kids who can recover from any setback—now and in the future.”

I enjoyed the examples of things kids said as well as the parent ideas and ways to address kids. It also includes ideas for teachers of this grade level. It addresses the impact of Covid on these kids as well.