The Rimm Report on the Secret World of America’s Middle Schoolers

By Sylvia Rimm, PhD

Review:

          From the author of the best-selling book See Jane Win comes Sylvia Rimm’s advice guide for parents of middle school aged children on the subjects of sex, violence, popularity, drug use and the Internet. Rimm wrote Growing Up Too Fast after surveying more than 5,400 kids about their own experiences. A child psychologist and mother, Rimm's unique and interesting perspective makes this book a valuable resource for both mother and child. She quotes directly from students in fifth through eight grade to highlight the points she makes about everything from tween sexual activity to in-school bullying and isolation.

         Middle school can be a scary transition for children, and Rimm is able to offer examples of the most frightening aspects, as well as give advice to combat potential threats, like MTV and peer pressure. What makes the book so effective is its use of the statistics from the survey in order to explain the current pressures and problems tweens face. Kids, through their own words, explain what they need parents to do in order to make their middle school experience more positive. The hardest part about reading the book is taking in all the information it gives – but it’s a necessary evil as it’s important to understand what our 11 and 12 year olds are experiencing in order to help them. I highly recommend Rimm’s book to any middle school or soon-to-be middle school parent, regardless of whether or not you think you need to read it – you may be surprised!  

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