Totally Middle School

“Groban brings together literary powerhouses including Lois Lowry, Katherine Paterson, Linda Sue Park, Karen Cushman, Gary D. Schmidt, Gregory Maguire, and more. Each selection is followed by a short biography about the author, with interesting tidbits about their lives. Stories swing from heartrending to heartwarming. VERDICT: Readers will “totally” relate to the issues and perspectives presented in this well-curated collection.” — School Library Journal
 
“The collection, ‘dedicated to middle schoolers everywhere’ (‘This, too, shall pass’), deals honestly and sensitively with this volatile time.  — Publishers Weekly
 
“In 11 stories, Groban has compiled a collection for the 12-year-old in all of us from beloved authors such as Karen Cushman, David Wiesner, Margarita Engle, and Lois Lowry. In this ode to middle school, in all of its difficult and awkward glory, readers will get a glimpse into the adolescences of a diverse cast of characters with varying experiences, helping them see the world through someone else’s eyes.” — Kirkus Reviews 

“The overall quality of the writing is quite good, and the stories are surprisingly varied in theme, tone, and point of view. With its hallway-locker-themed jacket, this book is an inviting choice for kids entering middle school and a good way of discovering writers they might enjoy.” — Booklist