Middle School Confidential graphic novel apps offer novel ways to enhance confidence

I've written before about this company's (Electric Eggplant) first app, but the latest one, Real Friends and the other kind, builds on the past one and focuses on friendships. It's hard for middle school kids to make friends and deal with the cattiness and prejudices that seem to crop up as kids enter a new school.


As before, these graphic novels are fine in their own right, but the developers have leveraged the multimedia capabilities of the iPad. Background music is prevalent, but doesn't get in the way. There is a quiz that can help kids assess themselves without some grownup quizzing them or looking over their shoulder.


At times, it can seem a bit corny, but that is because I am a jaded grownup. My middle schooler thought it was appropriate and the only downside is that not every kid in school has to read it. If every kid understood the messages in this book and app, school could be an better place where kids could focus on learning and not the external factors.