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Just My Rotten Luck
336 pages
A hilarious, doodle-filled survival guide to the chaotic, awkward, and surprisingly triumphant battleground of middle school.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like flipping through the secret sketchbook of the funniest, most relatable kid in the back of the classroom. It moves at a brisk, energetic clip, propelled by short chapters and expressive, laugh-out-loud illustrations that perfectly capture the chaotic energy of middle school. The mood is lighthearted but grounded in genuine adolescent anxieties, like the dread of facing a bully, the sting of being placed in special classes, and the desperate desire to just survive the year. Yet, beneath the self-deprecating humor and rebellious antics lies a surprisingly warm emotional core. It is a triumphant, empathetic read that delights reluctant readers and anyone who loves a good underdog story, proving that sometimes the worst luck can lead to the best surprises.
- Mood
- lighthearted
- chaotic
- triumphant
- empathetic
- Tone
- humorous
- self-deprecating
- energetic
- relatable
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- navigating middle school · finding hidden talents · overcoming bullying · unexpected friendships · the pressure to fit in
- The writing
- Conversational, highly visual, and punchy, blending text seamlessly with expressive cartoon illustrations.
- The arc
- Moves from anxious dread and feeling like an outcast to a surprising sense of belonging and hard-won confidence.
- Who it's for
- Middle-grade readers who love underdog stories, doodle-filled pages, and fast-paced, funny school survival tales.
Content notes
- bullying
- middle school anxiety
About the book
Rafe heads back to the place his misadventures began: the dreaded Hills Village Middle School, where he's now being forced to take "special" classes. He also finds himself joining the school's football team--alongside his main tormenter, Miller the Killer! But Rafe has grand plans for a better year: First, he decides to start a super-secret art project that's sure to rock the school. Then, if Rafe manages to make a play to save his team, he might have to deal with something completely new: popularity!
Description from Open Library.
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