Told from different viewpoints, five sixth-graders, facing various challenges and under pressure to do well on statewide assessment tests, agree to a plan for acing the tests.

Ever since she was a baby, the words people use to describe Elyse have instantly appeared on her arms and legs. At first it was just "cute" and "adorable," but as she's gotten older and kids have gotten meaner, words like "loser" and "pathetic" appear, and those words bubble up and itch. And then there are words like "interesting," which she's not really sure how to feel about. Now, at age twelve, she's starting middle school, and just when her friends...

"When she is cut from her middle school's podcast crew, social media influencer wannabe Emily Laurence must find another way to spread the news of a climate march, trying to balance her impeccable manners with 21st-century activism"--

Thirteen-year-old Nat jumps at the chance to participate in the middle school regional theater competition where the winner gets to perform on Broadway, but when stressful rehearsals negatively impact her friendships, she starts to wonder if it is worth doing theater at all.

When thirteen-year-old Erin discovers she is the daughter of the love god Cupid, she uses her newfound ability to sabotage her rival Trevor by making him fall in love with her, but she soon realizes love has a funny way of complicating things.

Shai, a thirteen-year-old nonbinary homeschooler, attempts to find a "new normal" post-pandemic as they start public school, meet new friends, and learn about their Jewish identity.

"A gang of eighth-graders steals Nate's favorite lunch spot. Alan Chen chooses a new name (hint: it begins with N) in a brazen attack on Nate's uniqueness. And when a post-hypnotic suggestion works a little TOO well, the lovable Chad becomes P.S. 38's unlikeliest bully. Is Nate any match for Bad Chad? Can he fly under the radar of no-nonsense hall monitor Kim Cressly? Will he survive the worst movie date ever with drama queen Dee Dee?"--

Sixth-grader Zoe sets her sights on winning a laptop by becoming the top cookie-dough seller in her class, but as she becomes more obsessed with winning, she begins to lose sight of what is really important.

It's the spring semester, and Airi Sano is on top of the world! Her grades are up, she has real friends at her side, and she's joined the school play. She's even keeping out of trouble and toning down the pranks! But when the play falls victim to some truly awful pranks, everyone immediately suspects that Airi is behind them. As suspicion mounts, it's up to her to solve the mystery and clear her own name before the imposter strikes again. Sounds like...

"Sparkle Moore is destined to be a star. Her mother is determined to turn her and her younger sister, Nova, into social media influencers and budding superstars. And after her dad has lost work as a sitcom actor, Sparkle wants to do whatever she can to help her family financially, too. But at the onset of middle school, Sparkle begins losing her hair—first her lashes, then her eyebrows, and then small circular bald spots appear in various sections...