My Life as a Joke (The My Life series, 4) - Softcover

Tashjian, Janet

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1250103886 ISBN 13: 9781250103888

Publisher: Square Fish, 2017

Synopsis

From popular middle-grade novelist Janet Tashjian comes another hilarious installment in the My Life series, with illustrations by Janet's son, Jake Tashjian.

Derek Fallon discovers all the angst that comes with being twelve―he just wants to feel grown up, but life gets in the way with a series of mishaps that make him look like a baby. He passes out during a worm dissection in science class, falls flat on his face in gym class and gets a fat lip that causes him to lisp all day, and his plans for a monster-truck party turn into a bouncy house disaster. Why isn't being in middle school as great as Derek imagined? Thankfully, with a little help from his friends―and, ironically, a Toys for Tots fundraiser―things seem like they could start shaping up at last.

My Life as a Joke by Janet and Jake Tashjian is a Christy Ottaviano Book

“Readers will connect with likable Derek and his efforts to improve himself that don't ever go right . . . It's sure to be a hit with fans of the previous installments.” ―School Library Journal

"A kinder, gentler Wimpy Kid with all the fun and more plot." ―Kirkus Reviews, starred review on My Life as a Book

Don't forget the rest of the My Life series!
My Life as a Book
My Life as a Stuntman
My Life as a Cartoonist
My Life as a Joke
My Life as a Gamer
My Life as a Ninja

About this title

About the Author

Janet Tashjian is the author of the popular My Life series including My Life as a Stuntboy, My Life as a Book, and My Life as a Cartoonist, illustrated by her son, Jake Tashjian; as well as The Gospel According to Larry and For What It's Worth. She lives with her family in Los Angeles, California.

From School Library Journal

Gr 4–8—Twelve-year-old Derek Fallon resolves to take life more seriously, but of course, things never go Derek's way, resulting in many humorous situations. An exciting frog dissection lesson goes horribly wrong as Derek sends his frog flying through the air and onto the teacher, and he winds up fainting in front of the class. After trying to show off on a rope in gym class, he smacks the floor with his face and busts his lip so badly that it causes him to be unable to correctly pronounce the words in a speech he has to give. He is laughed out of the auditorium after a mangled rendition of the national anthem. Having volunteered to help in a toy drive, he is assigned to collect dolls, resulting in more ridicule as he gathers Barbies and baby dolls. One of the dolls contributed is one he recognizes as a collector's item. He and his friends, Matt and Umberto, hatch a plan to sell the doll on eBay for some easy money. Of course, it doesn't go as planned, and Derek is faced with refunding the money after it is already spent. Readers will connect with likable Derek and his efforts to improve himself that don't ever go right. Adding to the fast-paced chapters are his vocabulary journal illustrations, which showcase his take on life. It's sure to be a hit with fans of the previous installments.—Laura Fields Eason, Henry F. Moss Middle School, Bowling Green, KY

Edition details

• Publisher: Square Fish
• Publication date: 2017
• ISBN 10: 1250103886
• ISBN 13: 9781250103888
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 288
• Illustrator: Tashjian Jake