(4) 4-6 Illustrated by J. P. Coovert. That a pimple (gasp!) prompts "pretty girl" Calista's decline down the middle-school food chain is a stretch. Still, Calista forms unlikely bonds with outcasts (and co-narrators) Laura and Damian, and her new social invisibility allows her to see what really matters. Though lightweight, this novel offers important insights into popularity, friendship, and insecurity (even in those who seem to have it all).

Reviewer: Rebecca Kirshenbaum

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by J. P. Coovert. In this sixth and final book, Charlie Joe Jackson's much-anticipated middle school graduation is upon him--on his birthday! But when he suddenly realizes that graduation won't bring freedom but rather harder courses and more responsibility, he looks for a way out. In typical hilarious and frenetic style, Charlie Joe careens through the day but, satisfyingly, becomes older and wiser by day's end.

Reviewer: Grace Worcester Greene

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by J. P. Coovert. In this fifth series entry, Charlie Joe loves everything about middle school, except the fact that he is the only one of his friends without a girlfriend. Desperate for help, he checks out a book from the library on relationships. Soon he's the go-to person for romantic advice--but has trouble getting it right himself. Occasional black-and-white illustrations complement the funny, tender narrative.

Reviewer: Grace Worcester Greene

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by J. P. Coovert. Katie--like her bestie, Charlie Joe Jackson, and everyone in their middle-school class--texts constantly. After sending the wrong text and jeopardizing a good friendship, Katie takes a cue from her technology-hating rock-star idol and swears off screens for a week. The story feels purposeful, but Greenwald's meditation on the timely topic of technology use among tweens avoids preachiness.

Reviewer: Sophie Williamson

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by J. P. Coovert. After attending his friend's bar mitzvah, Charlie Joe realizes that having a coming-of-age party is a super way to make money without actually having to work. Since he's not Jewish, a bar mitzvah is out, but what about an Ethiopian cow-jumping ceremony? Although the characters are not deeply developed, the enjoyable story races forward with lots of slapstick humor.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by J. P. Coovert. Charlie Joe Jackson gets involved in extracurricular activities to improve his grades in Extra Credit. In Summer, he goes to a camp for gifted kids (a.k.a. nerds) and tries to remake the campers in his own image. These second and third installments contain some caricatures, but Charlie Joe's middle-school wise-guy voice is entertaining. Black-and-white drawings add humor.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by J. P. Coovert. Charlie Joe Jackson gets involved in extracurricular activities to improve his grades in Extra Credit. In Summer, he goes to a camp for gifted kids (a.k.a. nerds) and tries to remake the campers in his own image. These second and third installments contain some caricatures, but Charlie Joe's middle-school wise-guy voice is entertaining. Black-and-white drawings add humor.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by J. P. Coovert. Middle schooler Charlie Joe Jackson hates reading so much that he enlists friends, siblings, and others in schemes to avoid it. His punishment is writing a book (the one we're reading), and he discovers he likes writing. The narrator's faux I'm-one-of-you tone won't fool reluctant readers. However, his smart-alecky voice--and the lengths he goes in his attempt to escape reading--may entertain them.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by J. P. Coovert. After his father's death, twelve-year-old Finn Garret's hair starts to turn white, causing him to believe he is becoming invisible. Finn's meandering journal explores many facets of dealing with grief, though it can be, by turns, too self-aware and too lighthearted to be truly believable as written by the character. Black-and-white cartoon art throughout tracks Finn's slow disappearance and reemergence.

Reviewer: David Elzey