Sure, hearing about an eccentric teacher is a lot of fun. They are on practically every page and they really bring the humor home. It would be totally unfair not to mention Keith Knight’s illustrations in this book. Lo and behold, when Jake starts listening and stops trying so hard, he actually starts having a lot of fun! What sets Jake apart is that he’s lucky enough to have a best friend who tells him like it is. Sound like a normal middle school experience? Yup, I thought so too. Kids who excel at everything from peanut stacking (yes, I cracked up at that too) to singing opera are all around him, and he has no idea where he really fits in. See, Jake feels like a fake in his new magnet music and art school. Jake the Fake Keeps it Real manages to fit some real life middle school hardships and lesson in, while still being utterly hilarious. Okay, this book was adorable! I admit I was kind of wondering how Craig Robinson was going to tackle a Middle Grade book, since his humor is usually more on the adult side, but I shouldn’t have worried at all. More jokester than composer, Jake will have to think of something quick before the last laugh is on him.įeaturing more than 160 illustrations, Jake the Fake is sure to bring the laughs with his hilarious high jinks! Which is a real problem because Jake just faked his way into the Music and Art Academy for the gifted and talented (and Jake is pretty sure he is neither). And his art? It’s better suited for Pictionary than Picasso.

Jake can barely play an instrument, not even a kazoo. Recommended to: Middle School readers who love stories with lots of heart, and tons of laughs!įor fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Big Nate comes a new side-splitting series from comedian and film star Craig Robinson, #1 New York Times bestselling author Adam Mansbach, and NAACP History Maker recipient and cartoonist Keith Knight. Author(s): Craig Robinson / Adam Mansbach

Jake the fake keeps his cool