😑 Middle school isn’t easy. You’re figuring out who you are, dealing with braces, bad haircuts, embarrassing moments, and a growing sense that the world’s a lot bigger than you thought. It’s awkward, confusing…and kind of magical.

🚨But most books for kids skip over that messy middle, real stuff. They go straight to fantasy or fast-forward to big life lessons, leaving behind the silly, cringey, totally relatable moments that shape who we are.

👦 Not this book. In this laugh-out-loud and tender episode, we talk with Gene J. Miller, retired principal, educator, and author of WARNING: Short Stories for Middle School Boys Only, Because Girls Have Cooties!

His memoir-style short story anthology isn’t just funny, it’s filled with authentic reflections of a young boy navigating the bumps that come with growing up. Set in South Jersey in the 1960s, the title explores everyday moments of imagination, mistakes, and middle-grade mayhem. Using his childhood as a framework, Gene invites kids to embrace the awkward, learn from the silly, and find connection in the chaos. With built-in vocabulary and reflection questions, his book is perfect for summer reading for anyone who remembers what it’s like to live life in the moment.

🎧 Tune in for a nostalgic ride through the middle school years with plenty of laughs along the way!

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