Totally Middle School
From literary masterminds Lois Lowry, Gary D. Schmidt, Linda Sue Park, Katherine Paterson, Karen Cushman, Gregory Maguire, and more comes a timeless and inspirational anthology about the sometimes-challenging, always-rewarding coming-of-age years: middle school.
With eleven short stories told in text messages, emails, formal letters, stories in verse, and even a mini graphic novel, Totally Middle School tackles a range of important subjects, from peer pressure, family issues, and cultural barriers to the unexpected saving grace of music, art, friendship, and reading.
Brimming with heart and humor, these poignant stories from bestselling and award-winning authors shine a light on the moments when everything is thrilling and terrifying at the same time--in a way it will never be again.
An Excerpt fromTotally Middle School
9 Cedar Circle
Cedar Harbor, Maine 04993
May 19, 2017
Ms. Margaret Metcalf
John Glenn Middle School
Cedar Harbor, Maine 04993
Dear Ms. Metcalf:
I have just been informed that you are to be my English teacher when I enter Middle School next year.
As you can see, we learned in English this past year how to write a Business Letter. This is a Business Letter.
I understand that our class will be reading To Kill a Mockingbird in the fall semester. I don’t mind reading the book but I thought I would let you know that I have seen the movie two times. Boo Radley is my favorite character because he is badly misunderstood. I myself am often misunderstood so I know what that is like. I was badly misunderstood last December at a family gathering and I feel it may have affected my entire personality although I doubt I will become a recluse like Boo. For one thing, no one is going to leave me a house where I can live in seclusion, except possibly a rich uncle, but it is unlikely.
I am looking forward to Middle School and I hope that we will establish a satisfactory relationship next year. This is my Closing Paragraph and in it I am supposed to request some kind of action. I would like to request that you pay careful attention to the other letter I am going to write to you. It will be a Friendly Letter.
Yours truly,
Katherine Metcalf Anderson
Student