Mentor Texts

Middle School Is Worse Than Meatloaf

Amina's Song: Amina's Voice

Catie Conrad: How to Become the Most (un)Popular Girl in Middle School (Desperate Diva Diaries Series)

Sam Wu is Not Afraid of Ghosts

Herman Jiggle, Just Be YOU!

Elvis Lives!: and Other Anagrams

Real Friends

A confessional, uplifting memoir from the beloved YouTube personality.

It’s not where you begin that matters.

It's where you end up.

Twenty-three year old Joey Graceffa has captured the hearts of millions of teens and young adults through his playful, sweet, and inspirational YouTube presence (not to mention his sparkling eyes and perfect hair). Yet, Joey wasn’t always comfortable in his skin, and in this candid memoir, he thoughtfully looks back on his journey from pain to pride, self-doubt to self-acceptance.

To his fans, Joey is that best friend who always captures the brighter side of life but also isn’t afraid to get real. In the pages of his first book, he opens up about his years of struggling with family hardships and troubles at school, with cruel bullying and the sting of rejection. He tells of first loves and losses, embarrassing moments and surprising discoveries, loneliness, laughter, and life-changing forks in the road, showing us the incalculable value of finally finding and following your true passion in this world. Funny, warm-hearted, and inspiring, Joey Graceffa’s story is a welcome reminder that it’s not where you begin that matters, but where you end up.

Discover Your Child's Next Read

Mentor Texts

Rose Cappelli, 2017

Middle School Is Worse Than Meatloaf

Jennifer L. Holm, Elicia Castaldi, 2006

Amina's Song: Amina's Voice

Hena Khan, 2021

Catie Conrad: How to Become the Most (un)Popular Girl in Middle School (Desperate Diva Diaries Series)

Angie Spady, Channing Everidge, 2015

Sam Wu is Not Afraid of Ghosts

Katie Tsang, Kevin Tsang, Nathan Reed, 2018

Herman Jiggle, Just Be YOU!

Abbey Campbell Cook, Julia Cook, 2023

Elvis Lives!: and Other Anagrams

Jon Agee, 2000

Real Friends

Shannon Hale, Leuyen Pham, Jane Poole, 2017