When I hear the phrase “middle grade” I think of a cute junior high story with a slight bump in the road. I also read it with a “will I let my kids read this when they are older” mentality. With all that in mind, I didn’t expect Confessions of a Class Clown to have me rolling in all the feels. Friendships tested? Social media pressure? It’s all here, and it’s all real.

Starting out, we meet Jack. Not only is he the quintessential class clown, but he also has a popular YouTube-esque channel of pranks, called MyTube. He gets an idea that he will do a prank during the school talent show. The only problem is that his friend who he did pranks with is no longer speaking to him. Unsure, he pops into a “Speed Friendshipping” – which is like speed dating but for making friends. The POV changes after each speed friendshipping and we find out more about those that attended, such as Brielle (little-miss-perfect type who is running for class president, and has a MyTube channel for makeup), Mario (mom won’t let him have social media and is growing out of his friendships), and Tasha (crafts her own hats and wears them daily – why is her head shaved?).

As I read, I could feel all the emotions everyone was going through as though I was back in my teenage years again. The feeling when you are confronted with that person who doesn’t want to be your friend anymore. Trying to fit in. Trying to find someone who understands you rather than just be next to you during lunchtime. It was like my freshman year of high school all over again with an added pressure of social media. It’s interesting to see that the emotions are still the same, but with a twist. I wish I could shield my kids from this, but I know I can’t. At least there are books like this that I can give to my kids to let them know that they are not alone out there, no matter what they are feeling in the moment.

Will I let my kids read this book? Absolutely! Did I want a series to come out about these kids? Yes. Will I let my kids do social media? I have no idea. I’m just going to enjoy how young they are right now and be happy that I don’t have to deal with these big kid emotions just yet.

This book is scheduled to be released March 2022. Yes – 2022. You can pre-order now. It’s worth the wait.