Jojo Vs. Middle School
by Joy McCullough, Veeda Bybee
Simon and Schuster 2025
Great fit for 4th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
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Genre
Themes
- friendship
- fitting in
- self-acceptance
- family and stepfamilies
- social media and internet fame
- embarrassment and resilience
- identity
- new beginnings
About this book
Jojo heads into sixth grade with a perfect first-day plan—until a wardrobe disaster courtesy of her stepdad’s internet-famous kitten turns everything upside down. Trying to hide her embarrassment, she discovers that new friends and honest laughs can make middle school less scary. This funny, heartfelt story explores how we bounce back from cringe-worthy moments and find our people. Great for readers who enjoy realistic school stories with humor, friendship, and lots of heart.
Setting: a contemporary suburban U.S. middle school and home life with a cat-fluencer stepdad
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jojo Vs. Middle School right for my child?
Yes — Jojo Vs. Middle School is a great fit for 4th grade. The reading level is AR 4.3, which is typical for 4th grade. The interest level is rated Middle Grades (4–8), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 9–14 (4th–8th grade). Themes include friendship, fitting in, self-acceptance.
How long does it take to read Jojo Vs. Middle School?
At a typical 4th grade reading pace, Jojo Vs. Middle School takes around 3.9h to finish. The book has 35,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Jojo Vs. Middle School have an AR quiz?
Yes — Jojo Vs. Middle School has an AR quiz available, worth 5 points. Your child will need to take and pass the quiz through their school's Accelerated Reader program to earn credit. The quiz is typically 5–20 multiple choice questions about plot, characters, and setting.
What grade level is Jojo Vs. Middle School?
Jojo Vs. Middle School has an AR reading level of 4.3, which places it at a 4th grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Middle Grades (4–8) — this reflects the age-appropriateness of the content and themes, not just the reading difficulty. A strong younger reader may handle the words fine while the themes are aimed at an older audience, or vice versa.