That Patterson would devote 15 titles to a series of books about middle school and no books to elementary or high school seems a clear indication of his belief in the pivotal role the tween years play in an individual’s life. For most people, the middle school years correspond with the beginning of adolescence. Thus, one leaves the elementary grades as a child and leaves the middle school grades with some degree of physical maturity. Like many other transitions in human life, moving from childhood to adulthood is an experience that cannot be fully and adequately explained but rather experienced. Coupled with the reality that many parents are uncomfortable discussing some aspects of puberty with their children, these changes can become a cascade of confusing, awkward surprises.

Some writers have described adolescence as the time when a person wants “to be different, like everybody else.” That is, children want to excel and receive praise—they want their peers to think they are cool while at the same time living in fear of standing apart and experiencing ridicule from others their age. Those who, because of their physical features, intellectual limitations, poor social skills, or lack of self-esteem, believe they are unacceptable to others in their age group suffer for their distinctions.