Lucy and CeCee Snags Paris Book Festival Award!

Lucy and CeCee's How to Survive and Thrive snagged the Paris Book Festival Award just in time for Back to School!

An Excerpt From the Award-Winning Tell-All

Lucy and CeCee's How to Survive (and Thrive) in Middle School

teach• er |ˈtē ch ər|
noun
(official definition) – a person who teaches, esp. in a school; an adult role model who indoctrinates the younger generation intellectually, morally, and socially; one who helps others learn, as by example.

teach• er |ˈtē ch ər|
noun
(middle school student’s definition) – an adultish type person who slugs coffee, wears bad ties, frumpish jumpers, and who decided (due to his/her  own scarred teenage existence) to torture kids by inducing parental groundings through frequent phone calls home to report defective grades and deplorable behavior. Resulting outcome: avoid and ignore efforts; torture whenever possible.


Okay, J.K.!!  Teachers should be respected.  After all, most educators enjoy working with kids and some actually have something to teach us.  They are a guiding force in the molding of us adolescents and essentially our guardians from 8 to 3, Monday through Friday.  However, there ARE exceptions.  And the thing about middle school is you will have several teachers to deal with – not just one like in elementary school.  However, baring a few things in mind, you should adapt just fine.

The first thing to realize about middle school teachers is there are certain types.  Nice and mean, right?  Actually it’s more complicated than that.  There are as many teacher types as there are personalities.  There are teachers who are nice, friendly, lenient, strict, dumb, smart, scary smart, funny, so-funny-they-should-be-a-comic-funny, boring, so-boring-they-put-you-in-a-coma-boring etc.  We’re going to focus on three basic types you will certainly come across in middle school, the telltale identifiable signs, and tips on how to deal with them to your advantage.


The Taskmaster Control Freak/You-Ain’t-Doin’-Nothin’-in-My-Class/Lecturer
These types of teachers became teachers so they could hear themselves talk. The truth is that they have no interest in you or what you have to say. You’ll know them by the classroom arrangement, which consists of unyielding vertical rows with their bully pulpit lectern front and center. Don’t even think about asking to use the bathroom or going to your locker, as the hall pass is simply an accessory for the Taskmaster (i.e., not to be used). And, don’t get sick in their classrooms because you ain’t leaving! Their stock answer for everything is “No!” They have no sense of humor and no sense of mercy. We advise lying low in their classes, as their tolerance for any kind of adolescent shenanigans is nonexistent. Hand in your homework on time and keep a low profile. Cheating, passing notes, and otherwise acting up are unheard of in the Taskmaster’s classroom.


The Fossil/I-Had-Your-Grandmother-and-Will-Have-Your-
Children’s-Children-and-Never-Ever-Retire Teacher
The Fossil tends to linger in the math and science departments. They are well known throughout the local community—and for good reason. They’ve been around forever, and as a result, they have built a solid reputation. They’ve been around so long that their “Just Say No” antidrug posters from the ’80s have an inch of dust caked to them. They use the same old lesson plans, projects, and activities they’ve had since college. Basically, they do their jobs on cruise control and aren’t apt to press the accelerator anytime soon.


Mr./Ms. Good Time/I-Want-to-Be-Liked Teacher
Mr. and Ms. Good Time are usually young and fresh out of college, and their entire educational philosophy is based on being liked. These teachers tend to be easy graders and give less homework (with the exception of a deep fondness for projects) than the others. Their strength is creativity and working outside the textbook (think complete opposite of the Taskmaster). The best thing to do in Mr. and Ms. Good Time’s class is to get them off topic by asking some real-world questions. Also, convince them that a once-a-week party is academically beneficial and aligns perfectly with the standards. Other things to try are having them take you outside, watching teen angst movies, and throwing Game Day because it promotes personal development and self-esteem.

So good luck as you start middle school.  We know you will get "a handle" on those teacher types soon enough, but this should give you the jumpstart needed as you head to that first class.

Until next time...Hearts and Sharpies!
Lucy and CeCee

http://www.amazon.com/Cecees-Survive-Thrive-Middle-School/dp/1462039669

Get to Know Us!

Is it us, or does it smell like tween spirit?

We are the zany "authors" of Lucy and CeCee's How to Survive (and Thrive) in Middle School.  We will put your freak-out on pause as we give helpful hints, scary switch solutions, and lingo lessons on how to navigate middle school.  Our solemn promise is to to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth - so help us good fairy of popularity.


Full Name: Lucy Anne Pringle

Biggest Dream: To be popular and have a boyfriend with a one-syllable J name like Jim, Jake, or Joel; to be invited to Kandi Klass’s annual birthday sleepover party*

Favorite Word: Ew!

Favorite Color: Bubblegum pink

Biggest Fear: Being ignored

Siblings: Older sister, Lilly (sixteen years old and thinks she’s all that), and younger sister, Lacey (six years old and soooo annoying!)

Three Words to Describe Self: Bouncy, spazzy, chatty

Thing I Love about Self: Kinda cute toes

Thing I Hate about Self: Eyebrows are bordering on a unibrow but too scared to pluck

Birthday: April 23

Most Valued Possession: My faux Coach purse

Three Things I’d Take on a Deserted Island: My faux Coach purse, autographed picture of Justin Bieber purchased on eBay, Taylor Swift CD

Obsession: Astrology and my less-than-perfect complexion making me feel like Zit-zilla

Biggest Annoyance: Being perpetually grounded to the Tower of Pringle

Secret: I’m 99.9 percent positive everyone at Madison Heights thinks I’m a dork

Bestest Bestie: CeCee Cruz

Luv Her Cuz: She has great specs appeal

Favorite Book: Dr. Seuss’s Green Eggs and Ham

Favorite Movie: The Princess Diaries (reminds me that dreams do come true)

Hobby: Going to the mall; reading Seventeen, Teen Vogue, and CosmoGIRL

Favorite Food: Cinnabons and Taco Bell (not together, but wouldn’t be opposed)

*Kandi Klass is the VIP queen bee of Madison Heights Middle School. She is the standard by which all other MHMS girls are measured and both my idol and the bane of my existence. Her birthday is April 2—the day of her annual birthday sleepover party. It’s my absolute dream to be invited. If only she knew I existed …

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

Full Name: Cecelia Elena Cruz

Biggest Dream: To seek the truth and see that good conquers evil (Okay—I’m an over-the-top fantasy geek)

Favorite Word: Tolkienesque

Favorite Color: Magenta

Biggest Fear: Failure to achieve my middle school* scholastic quest

Siblings: Older sister, Cora (fifteen and a sophomore in high school)

Three Words to Describe Self: Quiet, brainy, trendsetter**

Thing I Love about Self: Astute observer of the human condition

Thing I Hate about Self: I hiccup when I get nervous (the superloud kind)

Birthday: August 28

Most Valued Possession: My Lady of Guadalupe locket from my great-grandmother

Three Things I’d Take on a Deserted Island: My Lady of Guadalupe locket, iPod, family photo

Obsession: In lieu of any magical crystal amulet, I shall never be without my Blistex

Biggest Annoyance: People who don’t use the gifts bestowed on them and who are mean for no reason

Secret: I have a belly ring (Shhhhh …)

Bestest Bestie: Lucy Pringle

Luv Her Cuz: She makes me laugh and reminds me not to take myself so seriously

Favorite Book: Lord of the Rings

Favorite Movie(s): The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, The Return of the King

Hobby: Editor of school newspaper

Favorite Food: Twizzler Nibs


*Middle school is kind of like Middle-earth. It’s a magical journey filled with elves, dwarves, hobbits, queens, kings, and a few corrupted wizards. Word to the wise: pick your traveling companions well. Ones with the courage and moral fiber to persevere. Ones who wield their lip gloss like magic wands when confronted with danger. This way, when you pass through the congested hallways rife with pernicious diversion, you achieve your desired destination—or at least your next class.

**Irony alert—I’m a class-A brainiac, but my clothes are way fetch! (Take that, Gretchen Wieners!)

http://www.amazon.com/Cecees-Survive-Thrive-Middle-School/dp/1462039669

Download Your Cybersmartz

An Excerpt From the Award-Winning Tell-All 

Lucy and CeCee's How to Survive (and Thrive) in Middle School

Let’s face it.  It’s a cyber world out there.  Here’s a quick list on how to be savvy on the internet and download your cybersmartz.:

♥ Don’t plagiarize from the Internet.  Besides the fact it’s cheating, teachers are getting wise to this and chances of getting busted are excellent.

♥ Don’t get in email or text wars.

♥ Keep the peace at home and talk to parents about rules and guidelines for going online.  Agree to keep up with homework and that websites should be age-appropriate.

♥ Never meet anyone online without telling a parent or checking with them first.

♥ Nix the webcam.  Overall, not a good idea.

♥ Don’t T.M.I. on myspace or other websites.  Before you know it, your overshare will go viral and you’ll be e-famous for all the wrong reasons.

♥ Don’t be duped by those misleading banner ads.  Put the blinders on and ignore them.

♥ Show good netiquette and never cyber-dump anyone.

♥ Most cell phones are portable computers, so apply the same rules with your phone as online.

♥ Blog rages may be all the rage but are tiresome to read.  Whatever you write can and will be held against you.

♥ Think before you post.  Today’s friend can be tomorrow’s enemy.  And once something is sent, you can’t command Z it.

♥ Keep all passwords private and don’t give away any personal information about yourself.

♥ To avoid e-gret, play nice online.  If you don’t have anything positive to say, it’s probably best you don’t say anything at all.

♥ Know your school cell phone policy.  Even if it’s loose, it’s best to keep your cell in your  backpack turned off along with your iPod.  Otherwise, there is a high risk of getting it stolen.

♥ NEVER, EVER, EVER sext.  Remember, cyberspace lasts forever.

♥ Don’t ever use cell phone to cheat.

♥ Don’t let anyone text and drive.

♥ Don’t believe everything you read online.

♥ If you’re being cyber-stalked or harassed – get help immediately from an adult.

♥ Don’t ever take or post pictures of people without their permission or knowledge.

♥ Downtime is healthy; turn off your cyberworld and read a book or call a friend.

Cyber acronyms are cool to use when texting, emailing, or IMing.  Here are the basic ones to know and love:

 BFF – Best Friend Forever
 BTW – By the way
 FYI – For your information
 G2G – Got to go
 IDK – I don’t know
 IDC – I don’t care
 IMHO – In my honest opinion
 IMNSHO – In my not so honest opinion
 L8R - Later
 LOL – Laugh Out Loud
 PIR – Parent in room
 POS – Parent over shoulder
 PAL- Parents are listening
 PAW – Parents are watching
 ROFL – Rolling on floor laughing
 TMI – Too much information
 TTFN – Ta Ta for now



TEXTS FROM CECEE TO LUCY AND LUCY TO CECEE


Hi Luce.  I miss u.  Want 2 hang out
tonight?  S.S. for everything.  You’re
right - should have told u about Kandi’s
invite.  Can u forgive and absolve me
for my horrible-ness?
C.



Hey CeCee.  Missed u 2.  Can’t hang
out 2-night.  Have 2 work on science
project or Kragler’s going 2 totally fail
me.
L.
P.S.  I was wrong 4 telling u not 2 publish
about the uniform thing.  S.S.



Want help on your project?
C.



Thx.  But have 2 do this 1
on my own.  Got myself
n-2 this mess.  How bout the
mall this wkend?
L.



4 sure.  R we still B.F.F.?
C.



Of course.  Luv u!  ☺

http://www.amazon.com/Cecees-Survive-Thrive-Middle-School/dp/1462039669

Musings on the Guidance Counselor, a.k.a. Tween Whisperer

 An Excerpt From the Award-Winning Tell-All 

Lucy and CeCee's How to Survive (and Thrive) in Middle School

In middle school you will be assigned a guidance counselor who is sort of like a “tween whisperer.”  Guidance counselors take on a sympathetic view of the adolescent by providing academic and emotional support.  You see, we tweens are going through a difficult time (as if you needed reminding).  Changes are rapidly taking place physically, psychologically, and emotionally, and sometimes we need the ear of someone older and wiser who’s not a parent and or teacher.  Enter: The Middle School Counselor

You will probably meet with your guidance counselor at least once or twice a year.  Sometimes more, if you are having academic troubles or personal problems.  Either way, be open and honest during your one-on-one sessions.  Your guidance counselor is there for one reason and that is to support you.  Tell them what’s going well and what isn’t.  They’ve taken a lot of adolescent psych courses and know a lot about helping tweens.

Counselors provide support in a variety of ways.  You can use them to discuss or receive support both individually or in a small group setting.  Some of the things counselors can help with are:

♥ Academic skills support
♥ Test-taking skills support
♥ Time-management and organizational skills
♥ Career options and planning
♥ Habitual discipline issues
♥ Class schedule changes
♥ Dangers of substance abuse, like drinking and drugs
♥ Peer relationship support and mediation if needed
♥ Counseling for stressful situations, such as tragedies, loss, or suicidal thoughts
♥ Counseling for dramatized students who have trouble dealing with the stress of middle school

Dear Diary ~

After thinking about it all weekend, I wrote a request 2 see Ms. Clark about the whole cyberbully sitch becuz everyone knows cyberbullying is no joke.  Basically she had me show her all the text messages and took lots of notes.  Then she left 2 go talk 2 Mr. Payne.  Long story short, they traced the calls 2 Kandi Klass’s phone (big shocker) and now she’s N uber trouble with her parents and school police and may even get transferred 2 another school.  Imagine Madison Heights Middle School without Kandi Klass?

So after all the drama, Ms. Clark got all C.S.I. on me and started asking questions on how my year went and what she could do 2 help me succeed.  That’s when I just started telling her EVERYTHING that was buggin’ me.  Including that I’m flunking Life Science, lost my B.F.F., and totally getting stalked by Lyle Whitehurst.  Ms. Clark listened, nodded a lot, and then explained that seventh grade can be a confusing time but that I still need 2 control the chaos and focus more on my studies.  I knew that lecture was coming but somehow it sounded different coming from her.  She also suggested I stop racking up so many tardies (26) and detentions (5).

 Finally when I was about 2 leave, she asked who my B.F.F. was and I said CeCe Cruz.  She said, “Well, I hope you and CeCee make up. She’s a great girl.”  Then she smiled and said, “Keep it posi, Lucy.”

 And I said, “Okay, Ms. Clark.  Later.”

Hearts and sunshiny days ahead,

Lucy

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

Dear Diary,

Today Ms. Clark summoned me during sixth period.  At first I thought it was something academic, like tutoring or picking up my awards from the assembly last week when I was home sick.  But I was wrong!  She wanted to get all intimate and personal, which isn’t my cup of Earl Grey.  So of course I was very guarded but then she hexed me with her adolescent psychological voodoo tricks - and it was like my private vault of secrets opened up for all the world to examine – or at least Ms. Clark.

Basically I confessed that I went to the doctor who said I have a predisposition to an eating disorder.  He said it was common among adolescent girls - especially ones who put a tremendous amount of pressure on themselves, like yours truly.  I told her Mama is having me see a counselor to help deal with it.  Ms. Clark said she was relieved I went to the doctor and suggested I also meet with a support group of girls with eating disorders starting next Thursday, period 3.  I told her I’d be missing algebra and worried about falling behind but she said my health comes first.

That’s when I turned on the waterworks and started bawling like a baby.  I was completely mortified but then I didn’t even care because it felt so good to let it all out.  I told her I’m a second-rate, dishonorable friend with monstrous tendencies who lies by omission and doesn’t share anything with her B.F.F.  And then I told her I feel positively dreadful about my B+ in algebra and need to make straight A’s because I want to make everyone happy – most especially myself.  And then I came clean about Chase and how I was completely smitten but felt way over my head.

She listened really intently, nodded a lot, and then said I have oodles (yes, she used the word “oodles”) of time for guys and not to complicate my life in seventh grade with a serious boyfriend.  She also said to embrace the chaos of life and not try to control it so much.  There’s nothing wrong with a B+ now and then.

So when I was about to leave she asked who my B.F.F. was and I answered Lucy Pringle, and then she said, “I hope you and Lucy become friends again.  She’s a great girl.”

 “Me, too,” I answered.

P.S. I’ve never been one for confession-sessions, but overall, it was an enlightening experience.  And I have to give it to Ms. Clark.  Adolescent psych voodoo aside, she’s very wise - kind of like Gandalf without the staff and beard.

CeCee

http://www.amazon.com/Cecees-Survive-Thrive-Middle-School/dp/1462039669

How to be a Great B.F.F.

An Excerpt From the Award-Winning Tell-All

Lucy and CeCee's How to Survive (and Thrive) in Middle School 

If you’re lucky enough to have a B.F.F., you should value and treasure her.  Someone you can laugh and cry with, dream and gripe with, who loves you at your best and accepts you at your worst is a gift under ordinary circumstances.  In middle school, it’s a blessing.

On the other hand, if you don’t have a B.F.F., don’t stress.  Friendships take time to foster and grow.  Here are some ways to get and keep a B.F.F.:

♥ Be true to yourself.  Don’t ever act like someone you’re not or compromise your principles.

♥ Listen as much as you talk.  Give advice only when asked for or when necessary.

♥ Be trustworthy.  Keep secrets secret.

♥ Spend time together.  Like a plant, friendships need to be tended to or they die.

♥ Find activities you both like to do together, whether it be shopping, scrapbooking, or cochillin’ on the biPod.

♥ Praise her for her accomplishments and she should do the same for you.  Be each other’s secret cheerleaders.

♥ Don’t be overly competitive.

♥ Avoid jealousy.  Obviously your friend is going to have some qualities you find admirable or you wouldn’t be friends with her.  Nonetheless you shouldn’t envy those things.  If you are the jealous type, work on your own self-esteem and be grateful for what you have.

The B.F.F. Tiff

All B.F.F.’s squabble once in a while.  When you do have an argument, give your B.F.F.  some time and space to reflect about the situation.  Then talk it out and really listen to her concerns and ask that she do the same for you.  In the interim, don’t bad mouth or start rumors about her.  If you both respect the relationship, your squabble should blow over and you’ll be B.F.F.’s again before you know it.


SECRET THOUGHTS BY LUCY:
 CeCee and I have been B.F.F.’s since our sandbox days.  Sure we get into little tiffies, like the time she wouldn’t let me copy her homework.  But we get over it.  We’ll be B.F.F.’s for a long time I’m sure, although lately I worry that she could get into the Kandi Klass Club.  I see Kandi trying to talk to her like she’s someone really cool.  It freaks me out and makes me all crazy with jealousy.  Also, CeCee is so pretty, it’s scary - especially when she takes off her glasses.  I curse the day she gets contacts.

SECRET THOUGHTS BY CECEE:
Lucy is the quintessential best friend.  Okay, maybe she’s not as principled as I would like and her morality can be a little slippery, but she means well and has a good heart.  Also, her loyalty is off the charts.  The girl would fight off a swarm of soul-snatching sorceresses for me without so much as a thought.  I just fret that sometimes that she could be accepted into the popular A-crowd and forget about me.  She’s so gregarious and I’m such a social clodhopper, it’s bound to happen.  But I have to believe she’s better than that.  After all, trustworthiness is most important when it comes to B.F.F.’s and Lucy has never proven traitorous in any circumstance.  Hence, Lucy’s the ultimate!!

HOW TO MAKE A B.F.F. SCRAPBOOK

Lots of B.F.F.’s keep a scrapbook of their memories.  It’s a cool way to celebrate your friendship.  Here’s how:

♥ Buy a big photo album and blow up a picture of you and your best friend for the cover page.  Decorate the page with drawings, sparkles, and stickers.

♥ Have a B.F.F. dedication page where you each write everything you love about your best friend.

♥ Decorate pages with pictures and make captions.  Examples: trips to the mall, sleepovers, getting ready for school dances, etc.

♥ Write on topics that interest you both, such as school, family, crushes, dreams, fears, etc.

Warning: Make sure your scrapbook stays private and out of the hands of bratty brothers, snooping sisters, and prying parents.  Decide on a place where you will keep the scrapbook - hopefully under lock and key.

http://www.amazon.com/Cecees-Survive-Thrive-Middle-School/dp/1462039669/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1395344923&sr=8-1&keywords=lucy+and+cecee%27s+how+to+survive