A Precious Window of Time

Middle school is a time of exciting new experiences and profound changes in the brains and bodies of children. It’s one of the most crucial periods in a human life, when one begins to develop a sense of self and to figure out how one relates to the world – especially for girls. The book, “A PRECIOUS WINDOW OF TIME: A MANUAL FOR TEACHING AND NURTURING MIDDLE SCHOOL GIRLS” (Lobster-Books, published 2008), focuses on the unique needs and gifts of middle school girls and ways to foster their healthy development. Written by educators Howard Hanger and Vicki Garlock, the book combines theory with the real-life experiences of students and teachers at Hanger Hall School for Girls in Asheville, N.C., and other single-gender middle schools across the country. Though directed primarily at parents and teachers, the book is a valuable resource for anyone who is involved in group leadership, athletics, dance or music instruction with middle school girls.