“Jen disagrees with her parents on just about everything, especially dating. Jack feels like his sister is always getting away with stuff. Abby doesn’t know how to deal with constant ‘reminders’ about her weight. Mateo feels like his huge family is always in his business. Michelle wishes it were more than just her and her mom at home. And after a divorce, Chris is still getting used to life in a stepfamily.”

As Jen, Jack, Abby, Mateo, Michelle, and Chris realize, life in a family isn’t always perfect. Fortunately, What’s Up with My Family? is here to help. Part graphic novel, part nonfiction advice, the third book in the Middle School Confidential series follows these six characters as they deal with tween and teen issues that can come up in any home.

Book 3 features insider information on a wide range of family matters, from sibling rivalry to divorce and other difficult transitions. Readers will find tips for building trust with adults at home and making relationships stronger. There’s also expert advice on common middle school issues—like dealing with strong moods and making good decisions in heated situations. Here is some of what you'll find inside:

• Advice for passing up on “fuel-ish thinking”—runaway thoughts that can escalate bad feelings at home
• 6 tips for staying cool in hot-button situations
• Ideas for getting on the same page with parents, siblings, and others at home
• Advice for tough times—like divorce or the loss of a loved one
• Suggestions for being responsible and earning more independence
• And much more!

Filled with character narratives, quizzes, quotes from real kids, and resources, this is a family relationships book for every middle schooler who’s asked, “What’s up with my family?”

	Downloads from What's Up with My Family? Table of Contents Introduction “5 Tips for Getting More Responsibility” (Tips) “Need to Know?” (Resources) “Things Are Different Now...” (Quotes) “How Flexible Are You?” (Quiz)

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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

“An amazing addition to any teen’s library, this book brings humor, tact, and insight to a difficult topic.” —Vanessa Van Petten, teen author of You’re Grounded! and creator of OnTeensToday.com