Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

A middle schooler learns that fame is fleeting—and perhaps overrated. On a whim, seventh grader Alexander “Norm” Norman posts a hilarious video of himself dancing while under the effects of painkillers following a tooth extraction. The video swiftly goes viral, transforming Norm from “the kid so invisible I got left out of the fifth-grade yearbook” to a minor celebrity as the popular students who once ignored or bullied him begin falling all over themselves to befriend him. Norm is aware they don’t truly care about him, but he’s also seduced by the attention, which alienates him from BFFs Mia and Jordan. Peppered with slang, this is an amusing take on the pitfalls of fame that will appeal to those looking for a light read. Characterizations are somewhat superficial, with much of the cast falling into stock types. Still, the narrative moves quickly, broken up by comments from internet users weighing in on the action. The ending touches on the importance of balancing real and digital life; savvy educators or book club leaders might be able to use it as a springboard for a more concrete discussion on the topic. Physical descriptors are minimal. A breezy cautionary tale about the perils of going viral.(Fiction, 9-11.) Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.