×
Back left
Back right

How I Survived Middle School #1 :: Book Review

Reviewed by on Jan 27, 2009
Rating: 4 Star Rating

Check out Kidzworld’s review of Can You Get an F in Lunch?, the first book in the How I Survived Middle School series.

Author: Nancy Krulik

Check out Kidzworld’s review of Can You Get an F in Lunch?, the first book in the How I Survived Middle School series.

Not What She Expected

After spending the entire summer at sleep away camp, Jenny returns to find a completely different life than the one she left behind. On her first day of middle school she gets tricked by a group of eighth graders, her so-called best friend ignores her, and she’s forced to spend her lunch hour hiding in the telephone booth. Middle school is nothing like she expected.

The Pops

Jenny’s best friend Addie spent the summer on the swim team, making friends with seventh and eighth graders. Now one of the popular kids, or “Pops”, Addie acts embarrassed to be seen with Jenny. She wears belly tops, low-ride jeans and tons of make-up. And worst of all, she treats Jenny like garbage.


Middle School Survival

Jenny tries desperately to be Addie’s friend again—she buys cooler clothes, borrows her mom’s makeup, and tries to sit with her at lunch. But Addie’s friends only laugh and make fun of her. Devastated, Jenny turns to www.middleschoolsurvival.com. She finds friendship quizzes and tons of articles about important things that are certainly not in her middle school’s handbook, like fierce fashions, make-up tips and how to tell if a boy likes you.


New Friendships

Jenny’s loneliness doesn’t last for long. She meets a fellow sixth grader named Chloe who invites her to join her group of friends. Unlike the Pops, Chloe’s friends don’t care about the latest fashions or who’s too geeky to hang out with them. And Jenny soon realizes that being one of the Pops isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. She has way more fun with her own friends—people who’d rather have a water fight than worry about messing up their hair.


The Bottom Line

This book dives into the nerve-racking, intimidating, embarrassing first week of middle school. It shows how to overcome ex-friends and how to make new ones. It’s the perfect read if you’re preparing for that big leap into sixth grade!


How I Survived Middle School #1 Rating: 4


Related Stories:

  • Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book Review
  • Schooled Book Review
  • Knights of the Lunch Table Graphic Novel Review
  • Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide TV Show Facts
  • Related Articles