Common Sense Media Review
By Darienne Stewart
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Funny take on fitting in and self-discovery at art school.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
In JAKE THE FAKE KEEPS IT REAL, sixth-grader Jake Liston has a secret: He knows he doesn't belong with the gifted and talented students at the Music & Art Academy. He's a decent writer, but he really can't play piano well and he cheated on the math exam. Everyone around him oozes creativity, including his successful older sister. Jake stays afloat by trying to "outweirdo the weirdos," but he's worried he won't be able to fake his way through the big talent show. Unless he can come up with a good plan, Jake is certain he's going to be found out -- and kicked out.
Is It Any Good?
Comedian Craig Robinson and writer Adam Mansbach riff on the middle-school-anxiety genre with the start of this fun series. Following a sixth-grader who worries he doesn't have the chops to cut it in art school, Jake the Fake Keeps It Real is buoyed by plentiful illustrations by Keith Knight, whose giddy artwork and jokes are packed onto nearly every page.
Robinson and Mansbach steer clear of the snarky tone so common in humor for the tween set. Like Big Nate, Jake is a jokester -- but he clearly likes his classmates and wants to feel at home among them. And he finally does when he starts improvising on "Operation Outweirdo" -- he feels inspired, challenged, excited, and free. Most of the jokes are focused on the art school crowd, but the humor is never unkind. This one clearly is meant for all the kids who feel like weirdos, with great affection.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the idea of "fake it 'til you make it" in Jake the Fake Keeps It Real. How does Jake's mood and attitude change once he starts trying to be weird?
Why do you think there are so many middle school books about fitting in? Does this one stand out from the others you've read?
How do you feel when your creative juices are flowing? When you're in the zone, what are your mood and energy like?
Book Details
- Authors :
- Illustrator : Keith Knight
- Genre : Humor
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship , School ( Middle School )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Crown Books for Young Readers
- Publication date : March 28, 2017
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 144
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate