"Gr 6–9–In a conversational text that includes page-length illustrated scenarios, bulleted tips, and sidebar-length sections of advice, Fox imparts solid information about family relationships. Chapters titled “I’m Not a Little Kid Anymore!” “Fuel-ish Thinking,” and “Moods and Attitudes,” among others, tackle issues such as understanding protective parents, learning how to stop the kind of thinking that “fuels” confrontation, adjusting to change, battling a bad mood, and connecting with family history. Throughout the book the author uses quotes from real teens that send a clear message that many young adults are dealing with these same problems. Readers will easily relate to the situations posed and perhaps take to heart some of Fox’s suggestions and tips. Several “Need to Know” entries list resources—books and Web sites—and practical ideas such as using a yoga pose to de-stress are found throughout the volume. The layouts, fonts, and background colors vary from page to page, adding to the book’s appeal."—School Library Journal
“Using a magazine-style format that is part graphic novel and part nonfiction advice, Fox helps teens work out family problems like sibling rivalry, blended families, over-protective parents, and dealing with loss. The graphic novel follows the six teens in the previous Middle School Confidential books, using their stories to illustrate the problems discussed and giving examples of how to handle them. The book is full of tips on strengthening family relationships while working through the challenges every family faces. Throughout are comments from teens sharing their feelings on the topics, while “Need to Know?” sidebars in each chapter give a few Web sites and books that teens can read for more information. Quizzes help readers think through their own situations and relate the information in the chapter to individual needs.
This short, readable book will attract even reluctant readers with the format and give practical advice for all teens on improving family life. The author is an educator and an online advisor for a teen Web site. Although the information would be useful for older teens as well, the series title limits the appeal to middle schoolers. It would be a useful book in a school library or for counselors and their teen clients.” —VOYA
[What’s Up with My Family?] incorporates a magazine-like design and beautiful graphic-novel-style illustrations. . . . Annie Fox delivers valuable, practical advice on family relationships with real-life examples that tug at the heartstrings. I highly recommend this book to children, families, and educators.” —Once Upon a Book
“What’s Up with My Family? tackles real-life challenges, from daily drama with parents and siblings to life-changing issues like divorce or the loss of a parent. The book blends the best of ready-to-use strategies with stories from the Middle School Confidential cast of characters. Another brilliant addition to the series!” —Joe Bruzzese, author of A Parents’ Guide to the Middle School Years
“The third in the fantastic series of must-have middle school backpack stuffers . . . this [book] looks at how kids relate with their families.” —Reach and Teach
“Annie Fox does a nice job of showing both sides of how both children and parents feel.”—Amy Barseghian, M.S.E., Parent Coach
“In her latest book, Annie Fox tackles the universal problem of conflict between tweens, teens, and parents. Families that use this book just might miss out on a lot of the relationship challenges that seem like a rite of passage.” —Tina Nocera, founder, Parental Wisdom
“What makes this book so unique is that not just girls will want to read it! Boys will dig it, too.”—Special Needs Kids Examiner
Using a magazine-style format that is part graphic novel and part nonfiction advice, Fox helps teens work out family problems like sibling rivalry, blended families, overprotective parents, and dealing with loss. The graphic novel follows the six teens in the previous Middle School Confidential books, using their stories to illustrate the problems discussed and giving examples of how to handle them. The book is full of tips on strengthening family relationships while working through the challenges every family faces. Throughout are comments from teens sharing their feelings on the topics, while "Need to Know?" sidebars in each chapter give a few Web sites and books that teens can read for more information. Quizzes help readers think through their own situations and relate the information in the chapter to individual needs. This short, readable book will attract even reluctant readers with the format and give practical advice for all teens on improving family life. The author is an educator and an online advisor for a teen Web site. Although the information would be useful for older teens as well, the series title limits the appeal to middle schoolers. It would be a useful book in a school library or for counselors and their teen clients. Reviewer: Deborah L. Dubois
Gr 6–9—In a conversational text that includes page-length illustrated scenarios, bulleted tips, and sidebar-length sections of advice, Fox imparts solid information about family relationships. Chapters titled "I'm Not a Little Kid Anymore!" "Fuel-ish Thinking," and "Moods and Attitudes," among others, tackle issues such as understanding protective parents, learning how to stop the kind of thinking that "fuels" confrontation, adjusting to change, battling a bad mood, and connecting with family history. Throughout the book the author uses quotes from real teens that send a clear message that many young adults are dealing with these same problems. Readers will easily relate to the situations posed and perhaps take to heart some of Fox's suggestions and tips. Several "Need to Know" entries list resources—books and Web sites—and practical ideas such as using a yoga pose to de-stress are found throughout the volume. The layouts, fonts, and background colors vary from page to page, adding to the book's appeal.—Joanne K. Cecere, Monroe-Woodbury High School, Central Valley, NY
