Drawing on a national survey of parents, teachers, and students, interviews with a wide range of experts, and the latest research, this book brings parents the information and reassurance they need to identify and handle the crises that can erupt with 10- to 15-year-olds. Specific information and advice are presented for handling some of the most difficult crises affecting children including substance abuse, sexual encounters, troubling friends, depression, eating disorders, violence, breaking the law, nontraditional family structures, and Internet dangers. Following a brief introduction which addresses parenting through difficult times, the book contains the following chapters: (1) "Family Life with Middlers"; (2) "Friends, Friendship, and Falling in Love"; (3) "Sexual Encounters and Fatal Attractions"; (4) "Risking Life for the Perfect Body"; (5) "Drugs, Alcohol, and Cigarettes"; (6) "Young Adolescent Blues and Depression"; (7) "Taking Good Risks with Extreme Sports"; (8) "Virtual Reality vs. the Real World"; (9) "Failing and Succeeding in School"; (10) "Dealing with a Violent World"; and (11) "When Your Child Breaks the Law." The book concludes with a listing of recommended reading and resources for each of the chapters. (SD)