What's Up with My Family? (Middle School Confidential)
Grade 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(c) Copyright 2010.  Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc.  No redistribution permitted.