I chose to promote this book out of the many others that I read this semester because it took me back to a time in everyone’s life that I haven’t thought about until this semester. When I first found out that we would be visiting Tibbets Middle School every Monday, I was quite nervous at first. I took this class as an elective, and I didn’t realize there would be hands on teaching. After a few visits, I got used to the weekly ritual. I found myself reliving my own memories from Middle School. From embarrassing moments, to personal victories, I enjoyed remembering these events that had been lost before.   

The Melting of Maggie Bean is written by Tricia Rayburn. It was published in 2007 by Aladdin Mix, a division of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing. Maggie Bean is in the seventh grade and she is dealing with problems bigger than the usual middle school drama. First, Maggie is dealing with being very overweight. She weighs 186 pounds. You don’t have to read the book to realize this is a large problem for a girl this age that lives in a middle school scene. Also, her father was laid off from work and he is in a depression. He makes no effort to get a new job, forcing her mother to work herself to death. But their financial situation worsens everyday. Maggie works hard in school and gets nothing but straight A’s. She receives new worries when faced with the chance to try out for the Waterwings, her school’s synchronized swimming team. It has been a fantasy and dream of hers to be part of this team, but the members must wear a two piece swimming suit. This begins her mission to lose weight and find her father a job while balancing school and friends.

This is one of the first books written recently, that I've enjoyed. Before reading this and a few others this semester, I had lost faith in modern authors. But this story was rich in detail and warmth. The characters were also worth getting involved with. I realize now that I just needed to take the time to find good, modern literature. I recommend this book to students who are this age and to parents to have children this age as well.