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Thank you
readers,
for some of the comments below:
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From Writer's Digest:
Frank and Paul, I really enjoyed reading
the anecdotes. They were well written and easily digestible -- the perfect length for a one-a-day meditation for teachers-- and
each gave a thoughtful, non judgmental insight into life in a
middle-school classroom. I especially appreciated that you
included stories about mistakes you'd made and lessons you'd
learned!
Writer's Digest
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From
Amazon.de (Text translated from the original text in German,
below)
The book Middle Schoolin' is for all students, teachers,
parents and all those interested in this necessary subject,
which I recommend. These stories are based on true events and
written very honestly. There is much to laugh and also to
reflect. All of you who read this book will have a lot of fun.
It's worth it.
Sabine T., Germany
Von
Amazon.de
Das Buch Middle Schoolin' ist für alle
Schüler, Lehrer, Eltern und alle die sich für dieses Thema
interessieren unbedingt zu empfehlen. Diese Stories sind nach
wahren begebenheiten und sehr ehrlich geschrieben. Es gibt viel
zum lachen und auch zum nachdenken. Ich wünsche jedem der dieses
Buch liest viel Spaß dabei. Es lohnt sich.
Sabine T., Deutschland
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A Book to Read Before You Die!
I got your book yesterday. It is finally
in my hand. I started reading it. You know, to tell you the
truth. I am not that fond of reading but I do like your book
very much. It makes you wanna read another page again and again.
I will begin Part 2 soon. I like the stories and moral so much!
I am not just telling you this to make you feel good. I'm
telling the truth! I finished reading your book and I learned a
lot. I just love your book, especially for teachers and parents.
I think it should be on a list of "Books to read before you
die!" I wish there were more pages when I finished the book and
I wish I was in one of your classes when I was a kid!
Congratulations, I will tell everyone I know about your book!
A Fan from India
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My 12 Year Old Daughter Loves This Book!
Middle Schoolin' is a book that I highly
recommend. My 12 year old daughter fell in love with this book
and so we had to play "tug of war" before I could wrestle it
away to get a chance to read it! She would disappear with this
book and only her occasional giggle would remind me that she was
still alive! The stories are well written and they transported
me back in time to my own childhood. My how times have changed!
The authors have done a masterful job of creating unforgettable
characters who will touch you and maybe even change you a
little. After reading this book, whenever I pass by a school I
think of the authors and recall their stories. I also can't help
but wish that every child has at least one caring teacher like
the authors, Palacio and Rallion. Congratulations and job well
done!
Respiratory Therapist
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Thank You for Writing This Book!
Finally finished my reading!! Thank you
for writing this book about our kids, lots of valuable life
lessons for families with young kids. Will be mailing one for my
sister in Belize. As a single mother, she could learn a lot on
handling and disciplining an 8 year old from your book.
Anonymous
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As a new teacher...
As a new teacher at the middle school level, I can relate to many of
these stories. This book is a great read for every teacher (new or
seasoned) and parent. This book is like Chicken Soup for the Soul:
Middle School Life. Best Wishes Mr. Palacio and Mr. Rallion.
Ms P.
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I just finished reading Middle Schoolin'
I wanted to let you know that I thought it was very heart warming
and entertaining. I found many of the stories funny, fascinating,
and in some cases very sad. I never realized that as teachers you
also deal with the loss of such young lives. I think you are two
warm and caring individuals with tremendous hearts. I think your
students are very lucky to have you. I was specially impressed with
the honesty and openness with which you both share your feeling and
emotions with your readers. I will cherish the book always.
Congratulations again! I wish you much success.
Zulema T.
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Choral Teacher Agrees
Middle Schoolin’ is an excellent human interest
book that will appeal to any reader. As a former
middle school choral teacher, I found I can
relate to the trials, tribulations, and
hilarious truths lurking within the pages.
Congratulations Mr. Palacio and Mr. Rallion for
writing a book about your teaching experiences
that will make the reader alternatively laugh
hysterically, cry because of life’s occasional
unfairness. You can palpably feel the authors’
pain when being challenged by certain boorish
behavior on the part of some unruly students,
but still sense the care and love they have for
the job, and of course the students. All in all,
this book is about real life and is written with
simplicity, caring and humor. Thank you Mr. Teo
Colon for featuring this wonderful book on your
website!
Sara
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Funny but Real!
I read the book and the short stories are very funny,
but real. It deals with the everyday teaching strategies
teachers have to deal with. I really love the
partnership between Frank and Jacques and their students
and the lessons learned.
An easy and entertaining read, you will like it too!!
Linda Crawford from
www.villageviewpost.com
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...proud garifuna!
I would like to comment on the book “Middle Schoolin” that
you featured on your website. I am a proud garifuna from
Belize and I would recommend to everyone out there in the
world to read this book that is co authored by Frank
Palacio.
I found the stories interesting, entertaining and also
enlightening. It brought a lot of memories of the many
different experiences growing up while in middle school and
I could relate to the stories.
The stories are short, concise and to the point. There are
no long drawn out stories and every story had a message and
a deep meaning in the end. I just could not put the book
down when I started reading. Elia Rose
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...a slice of life
This book touches on the sensitive nature of relationships
between teenagers and teachers in the educational relationship.
Moments of blatant honesty regarding teachers’ frustrations and
imperfections expresses the human condition. Enjoy a little
slice of life. Sue Cella
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A very inspiring book! Hi Frank and Jacques,
I read your book today and found it very inspiring. I am
going to
give it to my sister who teaches science in the Montebello
School District. My
compliments to you for the kudos you received from other
school districts. MaryLouise
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I will keep referring students... I have turned
my Middle School Interns on to your book. I think they are happy
to know they are not alone in their first couple of years.
Our Middle School teachers often get forgotten and they have
one of the hardest jobs of all in that their students are in
between stages. I think some of them could use a teacher
resource book that includes ideas for classroom management,
incentives, working with colleagues, seeking professional
development opportunities for subject specific pedagogy, how
to not get lost in such big schools, preparing for a sub
including preparing the students for a sub, and the list
goes on. Those of us who have worked in the Middle School
setting understand how different a dynamic it is from the
elementary and high school setting. They need your
expertise.
Thank you so much. I will keep referring students. I am
thrilled with your work and I hope you also continue
writing. So much to share and new teachers are always
feeling alone. (Kimberly)
(Dr. Persiani-Becker)
Cal-State-Los Angeles)
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I Just Completed...
I just completed my copy if this extremely relevant and
entertaining book. I enjoyed it so much that I immediately
went to my local library and asked them to get it so that
others may get a chance to enjoy it as much as I did. I plan
to do the same with the three other libraries that I am a
member of as well as recommend it to all my colleagues.
This book deals with every day themes that teachers wrestle
with all the time like how to deal with students that steal
something which does not belong to them or how to interact
with parents, and administrators. I especially enjoyed the
last story written by Frank -Vincent the Invincible. Frank
was able to portray with sensitivity the impact a student
(who through no fault of his own was different from other
students) had on the others in his class and how he did not
let his circumstance keep him from aspiring to attain his
full potential as a human being.
As a substitute teacher in California it gave me a
tremendous amount of tools to use with students particularly
in Middle School. It also helped me to better understand
what my son went through in attending middle school in
California. I found the moral of each story to be extremely
helpful in attaining further insight into the reflection of
the authors. The teaching strategies section was also
invaluable in providing practical tips that can be used by
any teacher as he/she enters the classroom. In addition the
glossary was also extremely useful in understanding
terminology used by the teaching profession in California.
This book is inspirational and I encourage all students
of human behavior to read it because it has something in it
for everyone. They will gain something that they can use in
whatever profession they are a part of.
Tim Phillips
Rocklin, California
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Just a few weeks ago
I rushed across town to grab my very own copy of Middle
Schoolin'!!!
What a pleasure and delightful experience it was to read it!!
As a soccer coach myself and former middle school student's
parent, I can relate totally with the behavior of the kids and
the 50 topics covered in your book, and they transport me back
to a time when I had to listen to my two daughter's classroom
episodes.
All the stories are not only so well written, but wonderfully
appealing especially when the author gave a "Moral of the
Story"!!!
I really appreciate the entire concept and formatting of your
book. Please Mr. Rallion, extend my humble gratitude to Mr.
Palacio as well. Thank you for enlightening my life with your
every day experiences.
Good Luck to you!!!
J.C. Mendoza
Ontario, California
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I read your book and loved it
It was hysterical reading about the kids tricks. But it also
made me cry knowing all the trials and tribulations our students
live through. I wish more people were aware of what teachers have
to deal with. I am sure there are many more teachers as you and
Frank that believe in our kids and know that many of them can and
will be successful and productive adults in life. Keep up the great
work both with the kids and your book. Great reading!!!
Lynda A.
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Delightful Collection
Middle Schoolin' is a delightful collection. What immediately
came to my mind is the need to do such a compilation, especially as
so little is known about what takes place in classrooms until there
is something major like a shooting incident. The authors have
brought out the human side of the glorious profession called
teaching. Excellent Work.
J.O.P.
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Middle School Stories -- A one-of-a-kind
book
This book is written with great sensitivity, humor, and love.
The authors give a very realistic look at the state of public
schools but they go a step further and their caring and
professionalism is evident. These stories will touch you by their
sheer, simplicity, directness, and honesty. I was touched to the
point of tears. Our poor students of today have so much to deal
with. The story about the kid who was shot was really moving.
Congratulations to the authors for their vision to write such a
book. These stories are sort of like the "Chicken Soup" series, but
I prefer them because of the pictures and the moral that follows
each story.
Charles Sayers
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Will definitely recommend!
I have been Middle Schoolin' since Saturday, LOVE IT. A must for
new teachers and refreshing for veterans!!! Will definitely
recommend!!!
J.M.
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Congratulations!
...got my book and read
it....I'm recommended this reading to Parents, Teachers and those
with interest or who work with youths...easy reading,
informative...love the morals at the end of each story & the
caricatures.
Anonymous
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I read this book in a matter of a couple of
days. Even though I am not a teacher, I am a therapist and was able
to glean some useful information regarding working with children.
The stories are full of pathos, humor, compassion and they are very
relevant. There were times I laughed out loud and there were some
tears. It accurately describes life for our middle schoolers and the
teachers that labor day in and day out with them I agree with the
reviewers who say that it helped them make of their mind to work in
middle school because these authors are two dedicated teachers who
are inspirational as portrayed by the stories. I happen to know
Frank Palacio very well and can personally vouch for his integrity
as a teacher and as a human being.
Jermaine Francis
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Just the book I was
looking for!
A few days ago, I was hesitant as
to whether to teach at the middle school level. A friend
of mine recommended this book to me, and I ordered it.
After reading it I've made up my mind to accept a
position as a middle school teacher. This book made me
feel as if I was in the classroom, teaching my students.
I finished my teaching credential courses, but I feel
this books goes beyond book theory and what-ifs. This is
the real deal. Kudos to the authors!
Michael F.
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Although "Middle Schoolin'" includes 50 stories, they are 50 very
amazing short stories, which will not require a lot of your time.
Interesting reading and incredible discoveries of how some middle
school students behave and how teachers, such as, Palacio and
Rallion, have to function day by day. Some humor and some sadness
are included. Have your tissue box on hand when reading the
"Tragedies and Sadness" part. Some of those stories will probably
make you shed a few tears. Excellent book for aspiring and new
middle school teachers; possibly for high school teachers as well.
Great insight of knowing what to expect, how to handle certain
situations and what to do and not to do. Highly recommend
college/university professors to add as your assign/supplementary
reading to your secondary teaching method classes. Some great
discussions and alternatives of handling certain situations can come
out of reading "Middle Schoolin'." Great for teachers' reading
groups. Don't miss out! Get your book today, if you haven't already.
Carolyn Henley-Johnson
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Middle Schoolin is a must read for every teacher k-12.
I stumbled across the book after first visiting the website,
www.middleschoolin.com. I am a parent of a middle
school student, and so the information about the book and
its title appealed to me instantly. I ordered the book and
read it. I enjoyed it, very, very much. I have a new found
appreciation for teachers! I will certainly recommend this
book to all my parent and teacher friends. Good job, Mr.
Palacio and Mr. Rallion.
Sincerely,
Mr. McBurns
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I got my hard copy of 'Middle Schoolin'
[ASIN:0595531024 Middle Schoolin': 50 Stories about the Challenges,
Humor, and Rewards of Teaching] late on Friday Sept 11. I have been
awaiting my copy. It grabbed my attention so much so that I
finished reading it/gobbling it in a day and a half. This is a
record for me no book has gotten my attention like this one in a
long time.
Frank Palacio one of the author is my brother. For the past five
years or so every summer Frank tells us that he is writing a book.
So I started thinking oh my gosh I will be forced to read this book
and I was dreading the idea. My attention span is such that I only
read magazine articles and short motivational readings and stories
like from Chicken Soup for the Soul. Once the book was released I
immediately ordered my copy after visiting the website
www.middleschoolin.com
and reading some of the stories.
All the stories were very interesting and at the end the author gave
a 'Moral of the Story' sort of a lesson learned. This was a very
good concept. The book and the stories appeal to everyone
especially to new and experienced teachers, parents, students and
everyone who have attended a middle school or junior high anywhere.
The book grabbed my attention and kept me reading late into the
night on Friday and Saturday. The whole book is well written and
semi-autobiographical. Frank Palacio and Jacques Rallion are great
authors and story tellers the stories were entertaining, touching
and interesting.
Angela P.
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