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“In this hilarious series launch. . . depictions of open communication and sincere, vulnerable friendship cultivated amid cat-astrophically laugh-out-loud misadventure offer maturing readers an exceptional model for what fulfilling relationships can look like.”

—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

“A fresh, witty, and friendship-focused series starter.”

—Kirkus Reviews

“Jojo’s first-person narration nails the middle-school voice, capturing all the uncertainty that comes with big change as well as the roller coaster of emotions. The foursome’s new, tenuous friendship is supported by realistic dialogue from well-developed characters….From a confiscated-phone heist to dealing with her mom’s boyfriend being a famous cat-influencer, Jojo faces big changes via a series of hilarious high jinks with her new friends.”

—Booklist

Jojo vs. Middle School (Team Awkward #1)

Written by Joy McCullough and Veeda Bybee
Published by Aladdin

Jojo has everything planned out for the perfect first day of middle school, down to her outfit and hairstyle. But when Mom, distracted by her new live-in boyfriend, Paul, forgets to wake Jojo up, she oversleeps and has to make do with leggings, a t-shirt, and her brother’s hoodie.

The day still goes okay until Jojo realizes that she has a hole in her leggings thanks to Purrito, the kitten Paul “gifted” her. Because Paul isn’t just Paul; he’s Mr. Meow, a mega-famous cat-fluencer. Nearly everything in Jojo’s life is now cat-themed—including the underwear that the hole in her leggings is now showcasing to the whole school!

Embarrassed and unable to show her face in the cafeteria, Jojo spends her lunch period in an abandoned locker room. But she isn’t the only one hiding to cope with some major awkwardness. Maybe, with friends by her side, middle school won’t be so bad after all.

Don’t miss the rest of the series! Explore:

Primary ISBN: 9781665950732
Publication Date: February 2025
Available As: Hardcover, Paperback, Audiobook, eBook
Middle Grade, Age 08 or older

Community Represented: ,

Themes: , , , , , , , ,

Setting: United States (Virginia)

Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: 1st Generation

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