 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Middle School Confidential 1: Be Confident in Who You Are
Common Sense Media says
Graphic novel teaches kids to feel good about themselves.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Middle School Confidential 1: Be Confident in Who You Are is a book app about a group of friends who help bolster one another's self-esteem in the face of teasing, bullying, or mere self-doubt. While there are some mean kids in the story (who never physically assault anyone), most of the torment these young protagonists endure is self-inflicted. They feel bad about themselves because of their height, weight, grades, athletic skills, self-image, etc. But their friends always know what to say to turn things around and give them perspective.
What kids can learn
Kids can learn to identify emotions, reflect on personal strengths and weaknesses, respect peer viewpoints, build friendships, persevere through difficulties (including bullying), and put their troubles into perspective by reading this graphic novel. Presented as a story about a group of friends, this book app creates an authentic narrative to which the kids of the targeted age can identify. Middle School Confidential 1: Be Confident in Who You Are is a quick read for tweens and teens that helps them to learn about and reflect upon how to handle common social issues.
Subjects
- Language & Readingdiscussion, forming arguments, storytelling
- Math
- Science
- Social Studiescultural understanding
- Arts
- Hobbies
Skills
- Thinking & Reasoningasking questions, decision-making, problem solving
- Creativity
- Self-Directionidentifying strengths and weaknesses, personal growth, self-reflection
- Emotional Developmentdeveloping resilience, empathy, handling stress, identifying emotions, labeling feelings, moving beyond obstacles, persevering, perspective taking, self-awareness
- Communicationasking questions, conveying messages effectively, friendship building, listening
- Collaborationmeeting challenges together, respecting other viewpoints
- Responsibility & Ethics
- Tech Skills
- Health & Fitness
Is it any good?
MIDDLE SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL 1: BE CONFIDENT IN WHO YOU ARE speaks to kids who are at a really rough age, and reminds them to take pride in their own talents and not to let peer pressure (even the unspoken kind) get them down. There are probably plenty of tweens out there who could genuinely be helped by such reminders. This app is sleek and well-designed. Since this very positive message is delivered in what is considered to be a cool medium -- a graphic novel -- it's a great way to get to the targeted audience.
What kids can learn
Kids can learn to identify emotions, reflect on personal strengths and weaknesses, respect peer viewpoints, build friendships, persevere through difficulties (including bullying), and put their troubles into perspective by reading this graphic novel. Presented as a story about a group of friends, this book app creates an authentic narrative to which the kids of the targeted age can identify. Middle School Confidential 1: Be Confident in Who You Are is a quick read for tweens and teens that helps them to learn about and reflect upon how to handle common social issues.
Subjects
- Language & Reading: discussion, forming arguments, storytelling
- Math:
- Science:
- Social Studies: cultural understanding
- Arts:
- Hobbies:
Skills
- Thinking & Reasoning: asking questions, decision-making, problem solving
- Creativity:
- Self-Direction: identifying strengths and weaknesses, personal growth, self-reflection
- Emotional Development: developing resilience, empathy, handling stress, identifying emotions, labeling feelings, moving beyond obstacles, persevering, perspective taking, self-awareness
- Communication: asking questions, conveying messages effectively, friendship building, listening
- Collaboration: meeting challenges together, respecting other viewpoints
- Responsibility & Ethics:
- Tech Skills:
- Health & Fitness:
How kids will learn
Through peer-to-peer discussions of issues like popularity, body image, patience, put-downs, homework, saying no nicely, apologizing, self-doubt, candor, and self-confidence, kids get a chance to witness friends exercising tolerance and empathy with each other. It's all about the peer group at this age, so seeing other kids backing each other up in a hip graphic novel medium can make an impression on kids and serve to model good behavior.
How parents can help
- Chaperone events at school so that you can discuss social issues that might arise.
- Model patience and kindness even when your kids are not.
- Apologize when you make mistakes so they will too.
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| Category: | Books |
| Platforms: | iPad, Nook HD |
| Price: | $3.99 |
| Publisher: | Electric Eggplant |
| Version: | 1.0.1 |
| Release date: | April 20, 2011 |
| Minimum software requirements: | iOS 4.0 or later |
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