This book on middle school uses a very free-form structure to encourage educators to think about middle school's philosophy and purpose, and about how to create a successful middle school. The preface claims that it is not a book "about" teaming, advisory, interdisciplinary units, intramurals, parent-teacher conferences, and other middle school issues, but is rather a book about "thinking about" all these things. The chapters are: (1) "Thinking About"; (2) "Successful Schooling"; (3) "The Challenge: Perspectives on Successful Middle Schools"; (4) "Common Sense: The Middle School"; (5) "It's All Culture"; (6) "Culture: The Litmus Test of Successful (Middle) Schooling"; (7) "Applying the Logic: Principles, Patterns, and Practices"; and (8) "Thinking About Middle School." Throughout the book are comments, lists, assignments, and examples designed to stimulate readers' analysis of middle school and their own school's culture, principles, and practices. The book's main thrust is that middle school should be built around the students, literally and figuratively. (EV)