The 47 People You'll Meet in Middle School

by Kristin Mahoney

Getting ready to start middle school? Well, you'll need to know what to expect. Get to know every person you'll meet and how they can help (and who to stay away from!).

Dear Louie,
You've been asking and asking about what middle school is like, but I just thought they were annoying-younger-sister questions. Even though I am almost done with my first year, I can still remember when I thought middle school was a mystery, so I'll try to give you a leg up. I know middle school is a lot to figure out. But since I still haven't worked it all out yet, I'm happy to help as much as I can. That's what big sisters are for.
Love, Gus

Discover the ins and outs of middle school in this guide from an older sister to her younger sister. From tackling a new building to meeting new people like the assistant principal, the class pet, the Huggers, the renegade, the tomato kid, your old best friend's new best friend, this is a must-read for everyone starting middle school.

With wit and warmth, Kristin Mahoney, author of Annie's Life in Lists, delivers heartwarming, pitch-perfect advice, ideal for anyone nervously approaching middle school.

Genres: Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Fiction, Friendship, School, Childrens, Contemporary

304 pages, Hardcover

First published August 6, 2019

About the author

Kristin Mahoney is the author of Annie's Life in Lists, about a girl who moves from Brooklyn to a small town in the country. Kristin herself grew up in a small town in North Carolina, and eventually moved to Brooklyn. Now she lives in New Jersey with her family, where she makes lots of lists about groceries, writing ideas, and karaoke songs she'd like to sing.

Reviews

[Stephanie Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book proves the truth in the cliche, “Some things never change.” The author is absolutely spot-on with her depiction of middle school life! I experienced many of the same things and had most of the exact feelings that Augusta did in middle school, except it was in the early eighties for me!🤣
There is one difference between middle schools of the past and modern ones. That fact is that students of today must practice “lockdown drills”, as Augusta and her class do in Chapter 8. I experienced tornado and fire drills, as did my own students in the early nineties. I never imagined as a student or as a teacher that I might have to take cover for something like a shooting. I think the author had a couple of Augusta’s classmates express the feelings of all students of today on pg. 37.
“This is crazy,” Marcy said. “Why would they have a lockdown drill on a day that’s this hot?” Natalie Daniels was there beside us. “Maybe it’s not a drill,” she said. Then of course we were all quiet for a minute while we thought about that.”
This was a delightful read that went on my “Best of 2019” list. I would recommend it to all middle-grade readers, teachers, and any adult who would enjoy a nostalgia trip down memory lane!

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mother/Son Book Review!⁣
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As my son closed out 8th grade, one of his Language Arts assignments was to buddy read a book and discuss it with an adult. Of course I jumped all over that! I had recently received an advance copy of The 47 People You’ll Meet In Middle School and I thought it was a fitting book for us to read and reflect on as he closed out his middle school years.⁣
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This middle grade book is written in letter format by Gus to her little sister. It serves as a guide of sorts to navigate her middle school years, in lessons Gus learned in her first year of middle school.⁣
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My thoughts: This was a realistic portrayal of the fears that every middle school student has as they begin this journey. I work in a middle school and found this book to be relatable and endearing. The main themes are to find your tribe, everyone is in the same boat, don’t judge a book by its cover, and most of all- everything will be ok.⁣
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His thoughts: This is more for female students, but there is something for everyone to relate to. It has more girl problems though. It’s an easy read but good information, not a lot of fillers. ⁣
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Overall, we would recommend this book to students entering middle school years. We both feel like it would diminish their fears and allow them to see that all kiddos are in the same boat. For me, I give it 4/5 stars and my son gives it 3.5/5. Thank you @randomhouse for this advance reader in exchange for my honest review.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh I am SMILING. I am a sucker for a middle grade novel about a normal kid making their way through the everyday problems of being a kid. I went into this book, like Kristin Mahoney’s previous book ANNIE’S LIFE IN LISTS, expecting to skim a chapter or two, but I read the whole damn thing. There’s nothing exceptional about Augusta (Gus) - and that’s what makes her so special. This is a book about that awkward, unpleasant couple of years called middle school and how relationships stretch and bend and curve around one another at that fraught age. This was just cute and sweet and purely wonderful.

[Carly Bohach · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book. I read it my 11-year old daughter who just started middle school. We laughed, we cried and we wished it didn't end. We saw the author read at WORDS bookstore in Maplewood....it was a great experience. This book had loveable characters and a great message!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a sweet story. It starts out as just the story of Gus' first year in middle school, as told to her younger sister, Louie. But is more than that. It is also how Gus got used to making new friends, and having to live in two houses, and not being as nice to her younger sister as she could be.

And yes, each chapter is really about someone from the middle school. It could be the Gooser, the boy who likes to pinch girls bottoms, or it could be the principal.

As Gus writes this letter to Louie, she also realizes that it isn't just Gus that is suffering from the divorce, but Louie is as well.

Well written. A tear jerker. and very full of love and warmth. I throughly enjoyed this, and think it would sit well with all middle schoolers as they get used to their new school and new friendships.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

[Karen McKenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a middle school teacher of 9 years, I can say that this story really captures what it feels like to enter middle school and the angst of becoming a teenager. Augusta's story was incredibly accurate and one that students can definitely relate to. I loved the story of Gus trying to find her village and how an act of graffiti ends up bringing them together. When Gus explains to her sister why she is so withdrawn and non-communicative, it really touched me and reminded me just how difficult it is to be this age. I loved the story and Gus's point of view.

I did not really like how each chapter was supposed to center around a different person. It worked for the beginning of the story but then I got really tired of it and just wished the story was told more traditionally. I am curious to see how my students feel about the format. #LitReviewCrew

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Augusta has had a rough year, her parents got a divorce and she has started 6th grade in middle school. Both cause lots of life changes. She has to split her time between her mother's and father's homes, and money is tight, so the promised contact lenses are out of the question. Her sister Louise is in 4th grade and is always asking Gus what middle school is like, and this novel is a letter from Gus to her sister describing her first few months. One of Augusta's teachers challenges the kids to "find their tribe". Her best friend Layla is going to a different middle school and has already made new friends. Other kids changed over the summer and have different friend groups, so Gus is on her own to make new friends or find old friends she had taken for granted.

Does Kristin Mahoney teach middle school? She's got this, the representations of all the different kids, the kind teachers and the strict ones, what happens in the halls, problems with lockers and lunch - a well rounded representation of middle school with a great story line. I liked that each chapter introduced another character, some stayed with the story and others didn't, but that wasn't a problem. I think this will be liked more by upper elementary, but I'm certainly buying a copy for my 7-9 middle school.

[Jeannie Chambers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and I cant wait to share it with others. I received the book as an ARC that I got at a local bookstore’s “Blind Date with a Book”.
The story is written by a sixth grader to her little sister in the fourth grade.
If you think you’ve forgotten what sixth grade is like, think again! Some of the situations may have changed, but the author really hit the nail on the head. Did I say I loved this book? Well, if you didn’t hear me the first time, I REALLY LOVED THIS BOOK

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am always looking out for new books my reluctant sixth grader might like. The review of this caught my eye, and planned to read a sample chapter or two--and then finished the whole thing. Clever, but not overly gimmicky, structure, and a satisfying collection of misfits and heroes and villains, all in a clear and engaging style. Slam dunk for fifth and sixth graders, I think.

[Book_Nerd · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a great book about trust and friendships in middle school. They really do change as you go through, and best friends become bus friends and unknown strangers become some of the greatest people you've ever met. I think that everyone who is going through middle school and is seeing these changes really should read this book.

[Katie Mattson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great YA book about the fears of a 6th grader heading into middle school. It was a fun read since I teach 6th grade at a middle school. This will be a perfect addition to our class library.

This is from the POV of a girl, "Gus", so middle school boys may not love the book since there is some girl drama in it.

[Minni Chappidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about Augusta’s first half of sixth grade. The story is told through a letter she is writing to her younger sister about what it’s like. She describes it to her sister by describing the types of people she encounters. I checked this book out because I thought it was going to be relatable, ( I mean, that’s what the title implies). Instead the characters were just people that she met in school, it wasn’t exactly a stereotype. The types of people were very specific and it took me a while remember which character was which. Otherwise, I liked the story.

[Violet Bleger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. Because I’m homeschooled, I have never experienced a public middle school, and this just made me laugh. I enjoyed the underlying theme of standing up for friends. And making new friends all the time.

[A. Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very heart warming... eventually.

[Alex Baugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A letter from Gus (Augusta) to her younger sister Lou (Louisa) about what middle school is like reveals the difficulty that Lou is having with their parents divorce.

[Laura Gardner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute! Stretches the concept a bit, but overall I liked it.

[Kathleen Brunnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Middle Grade: This Battle of the Books title was adorable and captured much of middle school in the chapters. Will be a favorite with the readers.

[nugget:3 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just started this book and I love it! I’m in grade 4 right now so it gives me a lot of information on what middle school s like. It’s also very funny! Four stars definitely!!🤩

[Kim Bahr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story about change and finding your people

[Laurie Hnatiuk · Rating 4 out of 5]

The format of this book is so spot on! Using a diary/letter format to her younger sister that introduces the various people you meet as August's life goes through her year is genius. Filled with humour and coming-of-age anecdotes this would make a perfect read-aloud at the beginning of the year.

[Sophia Guzman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 47 People You´ll Meet in Middle School by Kristin Mahoney is an amazing book. This book is about a girl named Augusta and she is writing in this book to help her younger sister understand how middle school will be like for her. Augusta goes through a silent lunch, gets her phone taken away and she has her best friend slipping away from her. This book has taught me that when in middle school you will face many problems. I recommend this book to all people who have children starting middle school who are nervous and need a little happiness. Remember anything can happen in this world and nothing is impossible.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read with Liam. Well written with very relatable characters and situations and a good message. Liam gave it five stars.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 47 People You'll Meet in Middle School by Kristin Mahoney, 304 pages. Alfred A. Knopf (Penguin, Random House), 2019. $20.

Language: PG (2 swears (Diety) 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: G.

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Augusta has had a rough year, her parents got a divorce and she has started 6th grade in middle school. Both cause lots of life changes. She has to split her time between her mother's and father's homes, and money is tight, so the promised contact lenses are out of the question. Her sister Louise is in 4th grade and is always asking Gus what middle school is like, and this novel is a letter from Gus to her sister describing her first few months. One of Augusta's teachers challenges the kids to "find their tribe". Her best friend Layla is going to a different middle school and has already made new friends. Other kids changed over the summer and have different friend groups, so Gus is on her own to make new friends or find old friends she had taken for granted.

Does Kristin Mahoney teach middle school? She's got this, the representations of all the different kids, the kind teachers and the strict ones, what happens in the halls, problems with lockers and lunch - a well rounded representation of middle school with a great story line. I liked that each chapter introduced another character, some stayed with the story and others didn't, but that wasn't a problem. I think this will be liked more by upper elementary, but I'm certainly buying a copy for my 7-9 middle school.

Lisa Librarian
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2019...

[Whelan Mahoney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even for someone a little older than a middle grader, this was a great story. I especially liked the comeuppance at the end for those in need of being taken down a few pegs. Great characters throughout.

Pre-order this book NOW!

[Beth Rodgers · Rating 4 out of 5]

'The 47 People You'll Meet in Middle School' by Kristin Mahoney is an endearing look at an often hard time in young people's lives. It is at this time when kids are starting to come into their own, learning about themselves and others and how perceptions can make or break one's reputation. Main character Gus (short for Augusta) is the narrator of the book as she writes to her sister, Louie, about the various types of people she meets during her first year of middle school. From the assistant principal to the janitor to a group of unlikely friends and some mischief makers, there are lots of people out there who make Gus' first year of middle school more difficult, but sometimes a bit more fun.

At home, her parents' divorce weighs on her. She feel that it is affecting her personally, since her desire to get contacts seems to be put off due to the costliness of the divorce. Her attempts to make money are not all well-received, and she has to deal with issues at school as well as at home as a result of these attempts. Meanwhile, she finds solace in some new friends who make her realize that despite her best friend having to go to another middle school, all hope is not lost for her to have a semblance of normalcy. She can still enjoy life in middle school among other people.

Gus learns, through a barrage of trials and tribulations thrown her way, that all hope does not need to be lost even if it seems like life is constantly out to get her. There will always be some sort of trouble in one's path, but it is the way one deals with it that shows true character. This is one of the lessons she learns in the story, and it is a testament to Kristin Mahoney as the author that she is able to show how one's character can be both a motivating and debilitating characteristic, depending on which character is being discussed. Obviously we are reading the book from Gus' perspective, but it is still quite telling and inspirational that someone as young as a sixth grader can both show and tell one's true colors. A fun and entertaining book that comes highly recommended.

Beth Rodgers, Author of 'Welcome to Chanu-Con!,' a Children's Picture Book, and Freshman Fourteen' and 'Sweet Fifteen,' Young Adult Novels

*Review originally posted at YABooksCentral.com*

[Arielfranchakyahoo.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am grateful to have read an Advance Reader’s Copy of this book for Lit Review Crew, an ARC sharing group. Below, is my honest review.

What a fun and engaging middle grade novel that explores several deep issues. THE 47 PEOPLE YOU’LL MEET IN MIDDLE SCHOOL by Kristin Mahoney is told from the perspective of Augusta, called “Gus,” who is a sixth grade girl beginning middle school. Gus tells her younger sister, Louisa, called “Lou,” all about the people she’ll meet in middle school. Gus has to go to a different middle school than her long time best friend, Layla and wonders if she will be able to find her “village,” or group of friends. In addition to making new friends and maintaining her relationship with Layla, Gus has several other struggles. She has to come to terms with her parents’ divorce as her mother begins to date again. She also wants to wear contacts instead of glasses, but her mom tells her that they can’t afford to get them. In addition, there is a boy that goes around school pinching girls’ buttocks and Gus has to decide whether or not she will stand up for herself and let someone at school know. She also endures teasing from mean girl, Addison, and two of her followers.

The issues that Gus faces are real and relatable. She faces a lot all at once, but that is life sometimes. Unfortunately, we don’t have the luxury to only handle one problem at a time. So like many kids, tweens and teens, Gus deals with starting middle school, her parents’ divorce, self-image, friendship and family issues, and teasing/harassment all at once. It’s a lot, but author Kristin Mahoney manages to keep things light through the subtle humor and tone of the story. As an adult, I enjoyed this story and found Gus’s character very relatable. As a middle school reading specialist, I will definitely recommend this book to my students. 5 Stars!!!

[Annie Lang · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wait, stop scrolling! I need to talk to you about a fabulous book. The title of the book is The 47 people you’ll meet in Middle School, the author is Kristin Mahoney. The book starts off with Augusta going into middle school. Augusta has to get used to living in two houses, making new friends, and drifting away from her best friend from elementary school. And yes, each chapter is about a different person you’ll meet which is pretty cool.
This story was super cute and it was also sweet and adventurous. I did find the book slow at first but then it really got interesting with the dance, her friendship problem, and the graffiti, and her mom starting to see someone new. I love how each chapter is about a different person, and I love that there are adventures in the book and not just describing people you’ll meet. This book definitely made me feel excited for middle school. I love how it captures and shows how it feels to be in that middle school environment. My favorite part of the book by far was when Augusta and her friends found out who actually did the graffiti, it just feels like a weight got lifted off your shoulders. I would rate this book maybe about 4 ½ stars out of 5 stars.
I definitely recommend this book for any middle schoolers. But, it is a must read for kids going into middle school for their first time. I definitely don’t think this book is suitable for really young readers because they aren’t going into middle school quite yet and it is a bit long and there are some words they will not know how to pronounce. I also don’t think this is a suitable read for readers who don’t enjoy long reads because this book was quite long. But I definitely recommend it!

[Ella K · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a relatable, funny, and interesting book, as it is written in a narrative that few authors explore. The book's main character is telling the story to you, not from their point of view, not from a narrator, which is super interesting and makes the book cool.
Some of the "people" don't count, but that's okay. I love how Augusta grows throughout the book, and the metaphor of "village is so sweet and symbolic to finding your people and finding who you are.
I love how she meets so many different types of people, which is 100% realistic in a middle school setting. Now, I have a question. Is it true that some people share lockers- like there are two small ones on top of each other? Because I have that in my locker room at my school for the gym locker room, but not in the hallways. Is that normal in some schools?
I also love how they explore the history of a Sally Hopkins dance (okay, mild spoiler, but nothing important to the plot), which I knew very little about since my school has never done one. I also love how it dives into the world of "mean girls". Yes, there is a movie, but that is high school.
High school mean girls are slight, slightly different from middle school ones. It's interesting and cool to see how someone in 6th-grade views mean girls. I, being a 7th grader going into 8th, have never truly experienced them beyond broken up friendships, so I liked reading about a Regina George, Karen Smith, and Gretchen Weiners scenario. Overall, a pretty good book! Go check it out!

[Akilah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute story about a girl who has to navigate middle school on her own after her best friend is zoned for a different school. I really liked the structure of this novel, the way it was focused on new or interesting people Gus met going through her days. And, of course, because it's about middle school, there's a lot of stuff about the changing landscape of friendships--both finding new friends and rediscovering old ones.

Also, I love the escapism of middle grade novels because they're so deeply innocent. When I was in seventh grade, everyone was obsessed with sex, and I'm starting to wonder if that was just the school I went to.

(I also know that I would not want to read a middle grade book with sex in it and wouldn't have as a kid either, but I'm just putting it out there that it is a weird little that is rarely touched upon. I can only think of three instances where it was kind of hinted at in middle grade books, and I'm not sure how many kids would have picked up on them. Well, the ones who were in the know would have, so I guess that works also.)

Anyway, this book was the perfect blend of that escapism and realism, especially since Gus is also navigating her parents' divorce and how to deal with a sometimes annoying little sister.

[Yunhan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The premise of the story is this: a person named Augusta(Gus) writes an extremely long letter to her sister Louie who's in 4th grade. The letter chronicles her journey through the first few months of middle school, where Augusta comes to this educational facility called Meridian, whereas her best friend Layla has gone to a whole other place known as Parkwood. Layla, who is overcome by an overwhelming wave of school spirit, makes a friend only known as "Jolly Jocelyn." Eek, unfortunately, Gus is not able to have this sort of luck at first. She wonders if the Meridian mascot is an armadillo, and grows unsure about her friendship with Layla. Well, eventually, Gus is able to make some friends, including one connoisseur of tomatoes who devours them with voracious delight, one mediocre soccer player, an old acquaintance who becomes a friend, and a human with messy hair. A prominent theme in this book is friendship, which it portrays reasonably well. So good. But I was perturbed by the excessive amount of semicolons in the book; semicolons are not very good; no, they are not. Really, though, 'twas a bit too much, in my opinion. Finally, I would recommend this book for people who are interested in realistic fiction or middle school.