Remember being nervous to start middle school? Actually, when I was in 6th grade, it was still considered elementary school. Seventh and 8th grade were considered middle school (or junior high as we called it. Am I dating myself here?) Anyway, Jenny McAfee is nervous on her first day and the only thing she is looking forward to is seeing her best friend Addie. You see, Jenny spent her entire summer vacation at camp and did not see or talk to Addie while she was away. While she was gone, things changed. Including her BFF.

Jenny quickly learns Addie has ditched her for new friends aka “The Pops”. These are the popular kids in school and Jenny longs to be one so that she can maintain her friendship with Addie. Jenny realizes that being popular isn’t quite as glamorous as it seems. Addie has changed so much, that Jenny cannot believe they were once best friends.

Join Jenny as she tries to accept the loss of her friendship with Addie and meet brand new ones. And oh. . .as she attempts to survive middle school. ( )

this book is totally cool. it's a guide to makeup, boys, friends, and "the pops". love it! ( )

This book was a good book. It was not amazing but it was okay. ( )

Reviewed by Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com

A horror experienced by just about everyone - the first days of middle school. Changing classes, finding your way around, trying to keep old friends and making new ones - it's one potential disaster after another.

Jenny McAfee is excited and scared all at the same time. After eight weeks away at summer sleepover camp, she feels pretty confident that she's got what it takes to conquer middle school. She doesn't realize that her BFF (best friend forever) has suddenly become part of the popular crowd. It's amazing the changes that can happen when you're gone a few weeks over the summer.

The first frightening day finds Jenny dressed all wrong, rushing to class, and getting lost on the way to the cafeteria. The eighth graders play the famous `take the elevator by the pool trick,' and Jenny totally falls for it. When she does finally find the cafeteria, there's no room at her friends' table and she eats all alone in the telephone booth. It's almost more than she can take. How can she even think about coming back for day number two?

Nancy Krulik begins a new series with CAN YOU GET AN F IN LUNCH? by creating Jenny, a character most readers will find more familiar than they probably want to admit. This quick read is filled with typical frustrations of being a middle schooler. Added bonuses are little pop quizzes Jenny says she finds on a middle school survival website. Readers can try the quizzes right along with Jenny and her friends.

Middle grade readers, especially girls, are sure to enjoy this series. ( )