Middle School Blues
by Elaine Armstrong

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Twelve-year-old Amy has been dealing with her generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) for years and had thought she had it pretty much under control thanks to her supportive family and the help of a truly wonderful therapist. Then she started middle school, and every day became a trial once more, certain that the other kids on the school bus and in her classes were all laughing at her and would never want to be her friends. Even though she does well in most of her classes, there is one that fills her with absolute dread: gym class. She stumbles on the trampoline. She’s useless in volleyball. And there is one girl who never lets her forget it: Charlotte, a popular and mean-spirited bully, who seems to go out of her way to point out every one of her failings … to anyone who will listen. Faced with these new challenges, Amy must draw on all her coping skills just to get through each day on her own . . . until she can’t anymore. But will she have the courage to ask for help? Amy has Anxiety: Middle School Blues is a charming and insightful story about a young girl struggling with anxiety, thrust into a new and scary situation, and eventually learning healthy coping strategies to make her own life easier, and in the long run, much happier as well.

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Author ELAINE ARMSTRONG has lived with generalized anxiety disorder all her life, and as such, has a strong understanding of just how debilitating it can be, especially for kids. As a teacher in the public school system (and a private piano teacher as well), she is all too aware of how prevalent bullying has become and how damaging it can be to those facing it on a daily basis (even for kids without underlying anxiety issues). She has written this book–and its predecessor, Amy has Anxiety: Panic at Camp Sunshine!–in the hopes of reassuring those kids that GAD can be dealt with and managed, and that there is help available for them. “I love children, and through my teaching, I’ve tried to establish a safe place for children to express themselves and their creativity.” – Elaine Armstrong With a degree in English Literature from Queen’s University, in Kingston, Ontario, Elaine once worked as an editor for Kids NetWord, Toronto, publishing books by children who won the Kids NetWord writing award. She has also established several book clubs, in which all forms of literature are discussed, from the classics to the present. Elaine currently lives in Ottawa, Ontario, with her husband, daughter, and son, where she enjoys reading, studying, and writing both fiction and poetry. To follow or connect with the author, please visit: Facebook: Elaine Armstrong, Children’s Fiction and Self-Help Author

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Contributors

Author

Elaine Armstrong

Illustrator

Paul Schultz

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FriesenPress Editions

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