Review by Jenny Bristol, Common Sense Education | Updated November 2018
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Middle School Confidential 1: Be Confident in Who You Are

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  • Download from App Store
  • Download on Amazon

Appealing graphic novel teaches relatable tween lessons

Subjects & skills
Subjects
  • English Language Arts
  • Health & Wellness
Skills
  • Communication & Collaboration
  • Character & SEL
Grades This grade range is based on learning appropriateness and doesn't take into account privacy. It's determined by Common Sense Education, not the product's publisher.
5–8
Great for:
Common Sense says (See details)
Teachers say (1 Review)
Privacy rating (How we rate)
Not yet rated
Price:  Paid $2.99
Platforms:  Android, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Kindle Fire, Nook HD

Take a look inside

11 images
The "cover" is the first introduction to the story's characters.
The info page has icon navigation, a controls tutorial, a section about the app, and other resources.
The first page of the story introduces setting and characters.
Students can learn more about the characters in About the Cast.
Each chapter introduces a social challenge.
Michelle -- trying to concentrate on a Sudoku puzzle -- flips out and tells Abby to shut up.
Zoom by double-clicking on Michelle flipping out.
Chapter 4 is about negative self-talk.
Some of the end-of-chapter quizzes have right and wrong answers.
Some quizzes ask students to evaluate themselves.
The story ends with an encouragement to be yourself.

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; some interactions can feel contrived.

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

How Can I Teach with This Tool?

Getting tweens and teens to talk about personal and social issues can be like pulling teeth ... adult teeth. Administrators and classroom teachers could recommend Middle School Confidential 1: Be Confident in Who You Are 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. The end-of-chapter quizzes are perfect opportunities to discuss the whys and hows of navigating the difficult social world of middle school. Have students take the quizzes on their own, and then discuss their results as a class or in small groups.

Additionally, to get the most out of the app, use the free Leader's Guide to the Middle School Confidential Series that covers all three books in the series. It gives extensive activity and discussion suggestions based on the content of each chapter, page by page. There's also a project-based learning guide for the series that provides individual and group project suggestions.

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Put this tool into practice:
Standards:

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 kids who are undoubtedly facing similar challenges.

The app version of a graphic novel that adds chapter navigation, audio, and zoom to the experience, Be Confident in Who You Are has watercolor-painted illustrations that are well-drawn. The info page, which acts as the 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, which adds additional audio for that panel. At the end of each of the eight chapters is a quiz related to that chapter's topic. Sometimes the quiz has right or wrong answers, in which case students are given a score, but sometimes it acts more as an evaluation of how students feel about themselves. Explanations of right/wrong answers and evaluation results help students make sense of the content.

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, learn to communicate effectively, and put their troubles into perspective. Issues include popularity, patience, put-downs, homework, candor, self-control, and self-confidence. The story uses tween and teen lingo most of the time, making it easy to accept as authentic (though some will see it as contrived). Navigation is well-explained, and kids can jump to the eight chapters via icons. Additionally, the simple end-of-chapter quizzes make an attempt to not only test comprehension of the important story concepts, but also give students an opportunity to extend the lessons to their own experiences, asking them to evaluate how they feel and what they would do in certain situations. The additional teacher materials will be needed to really drive the points home, allowing students to practice the story concepts through discussion, activities, and projects.

Overall Rating
Engagement Would it motivate students and hold their interest? Is it visually appealing? Would it inspire teachers to try something new or change their instruction?

Real-life kid language and attitudes draw most tweens and teens into the story. Hand-drawn graphics are grown-up enough to appeal to teens, and interactive panels help to make the story a bit more immersive.

Pedagogy Does the tool help teachers promote a more student-centered experience? Will students gain conceptual understanding or think critically? Does it deepen teachers’ pedagogical thinking?

This graphic novel's storyline emphasizes peer group empathy and tolerance; kids watch others and reflect on what they see. Simple quizzes give students a chance to practice what they learn.

Support Can students and teachers get assistance when they need it? Is it created with people of different abilities and backgrounds in mind? Is learning reinforced and extended beyond the digital experience?

The app's website includes a project-based learning guide to aid teachers in creating full lessons, and print editions of the book include quizzes, tips, and empowerment tools. Audio of character dialogue would expand accessibility.

Common Sense Reviewer
Jenny Bristol Other
About our ratings and privacy evaluation.

Key Standards Supported

Speaking & Listening

  • 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.6.1

    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.7.1

    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.8.1

    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.

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Teacher Reviews

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Featured review by
Carolyn H. , Other
Other
Nagel Middle School
Cincinnati, United States
It is valuable to use with students who are struggling with the transition to middle school.
The app was easy to use but needed more options for more variety and differentiation.
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