Book Reviews - "Middle School: The Stuff Nobody Tells You About – A Teenage Girl with High-Fun

Saturday, 28 April 2012

Book Reviews - "Middle School: The Stuff Nobody Tells You About – A Teenage Girl with High-Fun

I Teach Autism’s favorite independent publisher AAPC has come through again with another wonderful resource to help teach students with high functioning autism. We highly recommend this book for it’s unique perspective that will surely prove helpful as a teaching resource. Young artist Haley Moss knows that middle school can be rough. In her new book, Middle School: The Stuff Nobody Tells You About – A Teenage Girl with High-Functioning Autism Shares Her Experiences, Haley wrote an extensive “survival guide” for succeeding in middle school, a time she found particularly difficult because of her autism. The book is the latest release from Autism Asperger Publishing Company.

Middle School is an intimidating time for most students, but for students with autism spectrum disorders, it can be a veritable minefield of hidden curriculum rules, social misunderstandings and cliques – and that’s before they even get to the academics! In Middle School: The Stuff Nobody Tells You About, a teenager with high-functioning autism relates her own experiences in middle school.

Aimed at young teens, Middle School tackles the issues that girls this age care about: fitting in, making friends, wearing the right clothes, succeeding academically and more. The book’s “for teens, by teens” approach makes it an easy, fun read while giving readers practical tips that they can use in their everyday lives. Haley – already an accomplished artist – also illustrated the book.

Book Reviews:
“Haley Moss, in her own words, has created a very helpful guide for girls on the spectrum – and, indeed, any girl who experiences challenges in ‘fitting in.’ Her book is practical and insightful. Drawing on her own experiences, Haley provides a wonderful template for social success.”

- Brenda Smith Myles, Ph.D., a consultant with the Ziggurat Group, is the recipient of the 2004 Autism Society of America’s Outstanding Professional Award and the 2006 Princeton Fellowship Award. She has written numerous articles and books on Asperger Syndrome and autism, including Asperger Syndrome and Difficult Moments: Practical Solutions for Tantrums, Rage, and Meltdowns (with Southwick) and Asperger Syndrome and Adolescence: Practical Solutions for School Success (with Adreon). The latter is the winner of the Autism Society of America’s 2002 Outstanding Literary Work.

“As a mother of a middle-school-aged daughter with autism spectrum disorders, I find Middle School: The Stuff Nobody Tells You About a MUST read. While reading this book, I felt as though Haley’s story could have been my own daughter’s. I love how the author walks us through her middle school years step-by-step and shares her experiences. This book will help our daughters with ASD not feel so intimidated by the transition into middle school. Haley Moss created an extraordinary gift for which girls with ASD will be forever grateful!”

- Danielle Wendel, mother of a teen daughter with ASD and author of Girls Under the Umbrella of Autism Spectrum Disorders

“Haley Moss should be congratulated for writing a very user-friendly and step-by-step guide to middle school. From how to open a locker to dealing with boys, Haley tackles the quagmire of middle school topics and offers practical advice and a helping hand. Not only is this book a must read for parents and girls on the autism spectrum, educators would benefit greatly by utilizing this book as a Middle School Preparation Manual for all students heading to middle school.”

- Lori Ernsperger, Ph.D., author of Girls Under the Umbrella of Autism Spectrum Disorders and founder of Autism and Behavioral Consulting

We ask you to keep in mind that by ordering this great resource from AAPC and I Teach Autism, you are helping support: Haley Moss – A Young Author, AAPC – A great independent publisher, and a Special Education Teacher’s family (I Teach Autism).