"There's nothing like being with friends. But if you're like us, you probably have questions about friendships. Maybe you're not sure if someone is a real friend or the 'other' kind. Speaking of which, a few weeks ago a kid from Chris's old school showed up..."

So continues the journey of Jack, Jen, Chris, Abby, Mateo, and Michelle—six students just trying to figure it all out in middle school. Real Friends vs. the Other Kind, the second book in the Middle School Confidential series, follows these characters as they work to forge friendships while navigating tough social situations.

Book 2 offers insider information on making friends, resolving disputes, and dealing with common middle school concerns—like gossip, exclusion, and cyberbullying. There's also expert advice on crushes, peer pressure, and being there for friends who need help. Here is some of what’s inside:

• Tools to find out if someone is a real friend (or the other kind)
• Ideas for what to do in friendship dilemmas
• 8 questions to ask in deciding whether to ask someone out
• 5 ways to make new friends
• Quizzes to figure out “What would a friend do?”
• And much more!

Filled with character narratives, quizzes, quotes from real kids, and resources, this book is a timely and engaging survival guide for the middle school years.

	Downloads from Real Friends vs. the Other Kind Table of Contents Introduction “Who Are Your Real Friends?” (Tips) “What Would a Real Friend Do?” (Quiz) “When It Comes to Friends...” (Quotes) “Need to Know?” (Resources)

Click the icon below to view all of the books in
Free Spirit’s Middle School Confidential™ Series

Educators!

Not sure how to use the books in the Middle School Confidential series in your classroom, counseling, or after-school setting? Download A Leader’s Guide to the Middle School Confidential Series for discussion questions and activities you can use to promote discussion on important tween and teen topics.

Download A Leader’s Guide to the Middle School Confidential Series

Parents!

Check out “Family Confidential: Secrets to Successful Parenting,” a weekly podcast series from Middle School Confidential author Annie Fox. Listen in as Annie provides practical parenting advice through conversations with authors, educators, and therapists. Dynamic discussions help strengthen family connections with tips, insights, and practical tools for guiding your kids through middle school and beyond.

Learn more about “Family Confidential: Secrets to Successful Parenting”

Middle School Confidential Series Book Video

Free Spirit Publishing was invited to share Middle School Confidential^™ at the Connected Celebrity Gift Suite for the 2009 Teen Choice Awards

Free Spirit’s founder and president, Judy Galbraith, joined author Annie Fox in Los Angeles. Many of the young stars posed for photographs and autographed our poster, which posed the query, “Free Spirit Publishing wants to know what makes a real friend…” See who stopped by, and what they had to say about friendship: Free Spirit at the 2009 Teen Choice Awards

Gr. 7 & up	Ages 11–14	Z
Learn more about book levels.

“Annie Fox manages to take an extremely delicate subject for teens, tweens and families and turn it into a manageable and teachable process. Real Friends vs. the Other Kind is both witty and poignant, and a must-read for every young person.” —Vanessa Van Petten, teen author You’re Grounded! and creator of OnTeensToday.com