Description

---

The ups and downs of the middle school experience are explored in these poems by award-winning poet Kristine O'Connell George

“Engaging.” —The Bulletin
 
“Sweet and on key.” —Booklist
 
“From humorous to angst-ridden, this collection offers verses that will captivate your pre-teen.” —Scholastic.com
 
The first year of middle school brings an array of new experiences and challenges. Award-winning poet Kristine O’Connell George’s short, accessible poems are complemented by lively illustrations and will evoke the most memorable moments of the school year.

About the Author

---

Kristine O'Connell George is an acclaimed poet who conducts poetry workshops for children and teachers. She is the author of several books of poetry for young people, including Toasting Marshmallows: Camping Poems and The Great Frog Race, winner of the Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award. She lives with her family in Southern California. Visit her online at kristinegeorge.com and on Twitter at @Kristine_George. 

Debbie Tilley has illustrated many books for children, including Spaghetti And Meatballs For All by Marilyn Burns and Babies Don’t Eat Pizza by Dianne Danzig. She lives in Escondido, California.
 

Praise For…

---

* “Readers facing this upstream swim [or] toweling themselves off afterwards will find much they relate to in this engaging volume." —The Bulletin, starred review   “Kristine O'Connell George can do more with a small handful of words than most any poet around.” —Riverbank Review   “The mysteries of lockers and uncontrolled giggling are plumbed; as is the rapture of the boy you like liking you back. . . . Sweet and on key." —Booklist     “Middle school, with all its trials, tribulations, and triumphs, is portrayed humorously and poignantly. . . . Students will relate to this voice navigating ‘upstream,’ while they try to find their own place in the middle-school wilderness.” —SLJ —