Review by Leslie Crenna, Common Sense Education | Updated February 2013

Middle School Confidential 1: Be Confident in Who You Are

Must-read graphic novel teaches relatable tween lessons

Common Sense Says:

Rating Details

Teachers Say (1 Review):

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Grades

5-8 This grade range is a recommendation by Common Sense Education and not the developer/publisher.

Great for:

See subjects & skills

Info page – really the main menu – has icon navigation, a controls tutorial, a section about the app, and other resources.

First page of the story introduces setting and characters.

Michelle – trying to concentrate on a Sudoku puzzle – flips out and tells Abby to shut up.

Zoom by double-clicking on Michelle flipping out.

First page of Chapter 4: Meet the Opinionator.

Pros: The authentic peer-to-peer narrative emphasizes tolerance and empathy in a relatable way.

Cons: There's no built-in audio narration for the text- and graphics-based story.

Bottom Line: A hip, compelling read for tweens and teens looking for guidance and understanding of common social situations.

Lesson & Activity Ideas

Getting tweens and teens to talk about personal and social issues can be like pulling teeth ... adult teeth. Administrators and classroom or subject-area teachers could recommend this as an at-home resource for parents expressing concern about the middle school transition or who are seeing mood changes since school started. English or social studies teachers might go one step further by leading group discussions following a group read. They can use the opportunity to help students practice speaking and listening skills like defining roles, acknowledging contributions, and demonstrating multiple perspectives through reflection. Kids could be assigned in groups or individually to create graphic novels on social topics of their own choosing or to write alternate endings for the scenarios in the app. Adult or peer counselors could use the stories in a similar way or to spark individual conversations or appointments at a later time.

Tool Overview

Middle School Confidential 1: Be Confident in Who You Are is the first in a series of app-based graphic novels written by anti-bullying activist Annie Fox and illustrated by Matt Kindt. The characters in the story -- Jack, Jen, Abby, Mateo, Chris, and Michelle -- help each other cope with middle school and their own self-doubts. Mateo gets teased about his height. Abby gets flak from her mom about her weight. Michelle makes mature observations and asks tough questions but has her faults, too, including when she flips out on Abby and tells her to shut up. When Michelle apologizes, Abby shows her how to say “I'm busy” in a nice way by doing it. The variety of troubles each character must deal with should appeal to youngsters who are undoubtedly facing similiar challenges.

The app version of a graphic novel that adds chapter navigation, audio, and zoom to the experience, Be Confident in Who You Are's watercolor-painted illustrations are hip and well-drawn. The info page, which acts as a main menu, explains navigation controls and gives chapter icons for jumping around its eight chapters. Kids can double-tap to zoom in or out of panels.

Learning Value

Through a discussion-rich narrative and some action, kids can learn to identify emotions, reflect on personal strengths and weaknesses, respect peer viewpoints, build friendships, persevere through difficulties, and put their troubles into perspective. Kids consider issues with the characters such as popularity, patience, put-downs, homework, candor, and self-confidence. The story carries tween and teen lingo most of the time, making it easy to accept as authentic. Navigation is well-explained, and kids can jump to the eight chapters via icons.

Rating Details

Overall Rating

Engagement Is the product stimulating, entertaining, and engrossing? Will kids want to return?

This compelling graphic novel uses real-life kid language and attitudes to draw tweens and teens into the story. Hand-drawn graphics are grown-up enough to appeal to teens.

Pedagogy Is learning content seamlessly baked-in, and do kids build conceptual understanding? Is the product adaptable and empowering? Will skills transfer?

Kid-based narrative helps kids feel comfortable considering sensitive issues. Story line emphasizes peer group empathy and tolerance. Kids learn by watching others and reflecting on what they see.

Support Does the product take into account learners of varying abilities, skill levels, and learning styles? Does it address both struggling and advanced students?

Print editions of the Middle School Confidential books include quizzes, tips, empowerment tools, and more. Audio of character dialogue would expand accessibility.

Common Sense Reviewer

Leslie Crenna

About our ratings and privacy evaluation.

Teacher Reviews

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It is valuable to use with students who are struggling with the transition to middle school.

Carolyn H.
Nagel Middle School
Cincinnati, OH

3

November 3, 2013

Speaking & Listening
SL.5: Comprehension and Collaboration
SL.5.1	Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 5 topics and texts, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.

SL.5.1b	Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions and carry out assigned roles.

SL.5.1c	Pose and respond to specific questions by making comments that contribute to the discussion and elaborate on the remarks of others.

SL.5.1d	Review the key ideas expressed and draw conclusions in light of information and knowledge gained from the discussions.
SL.6: Comprehension and Collaboration
SL.6.1	Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 6 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.

SL.6.1b	Follow rules for collegial discussions, set specific goals and deadlines, and define individual roles as needed.

SL.6.1c	Pose and respond to specific questions with elaboration and detail by making comments that contribute to the topic, text, or issue under discussion.

SL.6.1d	Review the key ideas expressed and demonstrate understanding of multiple perspectives through reflection and paraphrasing.
SL.7: Comprehension and Collaboration
SL.7.1	Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 7 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.

SL.7.1b	Follow rules for collegial discussions, track progress toward specific goals and deadlines, and define individual roles as needed.

SL.7.1c	Pose questions that elicit elaboration and respond to others’ questions and comments with relevant observations and ideas that bring the discussion back on topic as needed.

SL.7.1d	Acknowledge new information expressed by others and, when warranted, modify their own views.
SL.8: Comprehension and Collaboration
SL.8.1	Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 8 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.

SL.8.1b	Follow rules for collegial discussions and decision-making, track progress toward specific goals and deadlines, and define individual roles as needed.

SL.8.1c	Pose questions that connect the ideas of several speakers and respond to others’ questions and comments with relevant evidence, observations, and ideas.

SL.8.1d	Acknowledge new information expressed by others, and, when warranted, qualify or justify their own views in light of the evidence presented.

Middle School Confidential 1: Be Confident in Who You Are

Must-read graphic novel teaches relatable tween lessons

Subjects and Skills: Middle School Confidential 1: Be Confident in Who You Are

Lesson & Activity Ideas

Tool Overview

Learning Value

Rating Details

Overall Rating

Engagement Is the product stimulating, entertaining, and engrossing? Will kids want to return?

Pedagogy Is learning content seamlessly baked-in, and do kids build conceptual understanding? Is the product adaptable and empowering? Will skills transfer?

Support Does the product take into account learners of varying abilities, skill levels, and learning styles? Does it address both struggling and advanced students?

Key Standards Supported

Speaking & Listening

Teacher Reviews

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