What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that this book has all the typical
middle school angst with some bad behavior, including teen
drinking and unlicensed driving. The behavior is clearly dealt
with and characters are shown having remorse for their actions.
A girl starts a romance with a boy and shares a first kiss.
Families can talk about how middle school can be a tough time emotionally and physically. Can you identify with Ginny? Have you ever had a series of disappointments? How do you handle stressful times? What other books and movies about middle school do you relate to? Which books and movies have it all wrong?
Common Sense Media Review
MIDDLE SCHOOL IS WORSE THAN MEATLOAF is a very fun book
about a year in the life of 12-year-old Ginny Davis.
This journal of sorts has an innovative twist: It's told through Ginny's stuff. Report cards, assignments, notes to friends, instant messages, receipts -- they're all there. And incredibly all this stuff melds into something much more telling and heartwarming to read through than a straight-forward middle school diary.
Instantly engaging, Ginny's life is as real as you can get with the hopes, highs, and lows that are middle school. There are plenty of light, humorous moments and plenty of poignant, moving moments, too.
Visually exciting, this book is a great idea for reluctant readers.
Common Sense Media is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing information to help parents make media and entertainment choices for their families.
