Driving Home a Love of Middle Grade Books

Jessica Speer
Jessica Speer is the award-winning author of BFF or NRF (Not Really Friends)? A Girls Guide to Happy Friendships. Her books engage and entertain readers by combining the stories of preteens and teens with fun activities and practical insights. Her second book, Middle School - Safety Goggles Advised (August 2022) unpacks the weird stuff that peaks in middle school. She has a master’s degree in social sciences and explores tricky topics in ways that connect with kids.
Jessica is regularly featured in and contributes to media outlets on topics related to preteens, teens, parenting, and friendship. When she’s not typing away at her computer, she loves hiking, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. She lives in Colorado with her husband and two daughters.
Author photo credit to Danielle Zimmerer
BFF or NRF:
A Girl's Guide to True Friendships
Friendships are tough to navigate, even for adults. The preteen years can be particularly sticky, but we’ve got your back! Packed with fun quizzes, colorful illustrations, and stories about girls just like you, BFF or NRF (Not Really Friends) is the ultimate interactive guidebook to help you learn the ins and outs of friendship. Explore the topics of gossip, bullying, and feeling left out, along with ways to strengthen the friendships that mean the most to you.

Middle School:
Safety Goggles Advised
Take a large group of kids in puberty, send them to a new school, and add a generous dose of tests, homework, and hormones, not to mention diverse personalities, bland food, and unpleasant odors. That’s middle school, and it can be a little . . . weird.
Yes, there are cool things about middle school, like more independence, new friends, and new activities. But there’s baffling stuff too, like harsh judgment, the whole “popularity” thing, and, of course, drama. With insights from hundreds of students, this guidebook explores the halls of middle school, especially the odd behaviors that lurk in the shadows. Slip-on your lab coats, because we’re going to dissect these behaviors one by one to understand what’s really going on. With fun illustrations and choose-your-own-adventure-style scenarios, Middle School: Safety Goggles Advised will help you deal with the drama and define who you are and how to navigate life when things get, well, weird.

The Phone Book
So . . . you got a phone! You can text your friends, play games, and take cool pictures! You have the whole world in your pocket--power to be used as a force for good or, um, not so good.
Fraught with cyberbullying, disinformation, fake stuff, tech addiction, and so much more, the digital world can be downright sad, awkward, and nasty. But have no fear, kids--The Phone Book is here! Packed with research-based explanations, techy tidbits, and real stories from hundreds of teens and preteens, this phone book (the fun kind) will be your guide on the path of light, teaching you healthy phone habits and ways to stay safe online. And while you're on your journey, super illustrations, activities, and secret codes will reveal the power of your phone and the superpowers you have to wield it. Go forth, be informed, and slay the dark side of technology!

Resource Links for Jessica's Books
BFF or NRF (Not Really Friends)? A Girl's Guide to Happy Friendships: Trailer
BFF or NRF (Not Really Friends)? "The Friendship Pyramid"
BFF or NRF (Not Really Friends)? Discussion Questions
BFF or NRF (Not Really Friends)? "Qualities I Like in Friendship"
Middle School - Safety Goggles Advised: Discussion Questions