Jake the Fake

Reviewed by: Connie Smith - Breakwater School, Portland, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: November 6, 2017

Review

"Jake the Fake," is a hilarious middle grade graphic novel. With cartoon style illustrations on nearly every page, I would recommend this particularly for reluctant reader boys, all boys in general and for fans of the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid," series. Jake, feeling NOT musically or artistically talented in any way, shape or form, somehow manages to get himself accepted to the Music and Art Academy where his very talented sister is already a senior. Feeling at a loss as to how to interact and be accepted at such a school, Jake develops a plan to "outwierdo" these "weird" kids. When required to participate in the school "talent" show, Jake nearly has a heart attack. He decides to simply stand on the stage but then starts telling some very weird jokes. To his great surprise, his jokes are a huge success and bring down the house. After many congratulations and adulations, Jake says, "I felt like myself, I felt real." This is a book that again reinforces the idea that, in the end, one CAN be successful and happy just by being their true self. When reading "Jake the Fake," kids can relate vicariously to sometimes feeling "out of their own comfort zone" as they relate to Jake's antics.

Overall Book Score: very good