Miss Classified

by Susan Phelan

When Blythe hits 7th Grade, it hits back.
She’s always excelled in school, but now she’s struggling, and she can’t join clubs unless her grades are high enough. Her dad expects her to join Math Club, even though her secret passion is photography. The way things are going, she won’t get to do either one.
But her parents can’t know that.
When Bly teams up with her nemesis Cherie to cheat her way to good grades, she doesn’t expect to keep failing anyway. And the more she cheats, the worse she feels. She’s trapped. Confessing the truth about her grades and cheating might cost her the love of her family, her friends, and her chance at the photography contest she’s dreaming of winning. But the cost of continuing her lies could be even worse.
How can she get her life to come into clear focus like one of her developing pictures?

Genres: Middle Grade

224 pages, Paperback

Published August 1, 2022

Reviews

[Shebby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never read middle grade but this book was really cute. The main character was very consistent, likeable, with clear motivations and limitations. Each of those came together in the end for a satisfying payoff.

It was very reminiscent of middle school. The main character's voice was very young and motivated (in certain directions) without being precocious. It must be very difficult to write a character voice so much younger than yourself.

Very cute book.

[Ashley Phelan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a cute, feel-good story! Bly is a very likeable protagonist and it is so eye-opening (and a little stressful) to be inside her head and catch a glimpse of what it’s like to struggle with her unique challenges. I loved the themes about perfectionism and seeing beauty or growth in mistakes. And I would be very interested in seeing the “smooshed dog poop” photo 😊

[Pat Trattles · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am conflicted with this book. It starts out sounding like a nice period piece taking place in the 60s or 70s, maybe 80s. Then all of a sudden Blythe is searching the internet - which didn't exist then. Perhaps Polaroid cameras made a comeback? Not that I'm aware. Also, the whole ADHD premise is good and well shown, BUT it seemed to come out of nowhere. Blythe never had a problem concentrating in prior years. What made 7th grade different. Junior high? Perhaps, but again changing from elementary to junior high happened back in the day. Today it no longer exists and instead we have middle school which starts in 6th grade. These period problem issues gave me pause. Finally, Blythe's poor decision making is totally understandable for a child her age, but she didn't solve her own problem. Others solved it for her. And the advise from her peers sounded too adult for a child of 13. Overall, however there was enough to keep me reading and I did enjoy the story. I received an advance review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this on a whim at a recent author event, not knowing a thing about it aside from the elevator pitch the author gave me as I stood in line.

Miss Classified is, in fact, a wonderful middle grade story about the perils and adjustments of starting 7th grade.

Blythe has always been smart, gifted even. But something shifts when she starts 7th grade. Suddenly, she's forgetting assignments, zoning out in class, and failing her classes. In a panic, she turns to her archenemy for help.

In the end, MIss Classified is a story about embracing our imperfections and finding new ways to manage.

I really enjoyed this book. It has so much of what I love about middle grade fiction.

[Wanda Luce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Miss Classified is the engrossing, fictional story of a girl in seventh grade and is intended for youth, but there is likely not an adult around who wouldn’t love this book. It is a page-turner! Ms. Phelan’s writing is so rich, descriptive, clever, entertaining, and alive that I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it instead of wanting to jump ahead to see how it ends. It is a wonderful, heartwarming read that I think anyone ten and up would enjoy. It takes the reader inside the difficult world of a person with ADHD. I am a retired high school teacher and well remember the tough learning challenges many students face. This book also educates and is a penny well-spent. It will help students understand themselves and will help parents understand their children, even if their children do not have ADHD or any other learning difficulties. I loved this book and highly recommend it to anyone. The writing is truly superb. Here is just one little phrase to show you Ms. Phelan’s clever writing, though every page is full of such descriptive writing, for example: “Marsha gives me a smile of sympathy. That helps a little but when you’re drowning in an ocean of shame, taking away a bucketful doesn’t do much.”

[Jane Gogan]

As a psychologist who has worked with adults struggling with ADD/ADHD, I know how important it is to help students understand ADD early and learn successful ways to cope. Adolescence is hard enough! Struggling with attention problems has a cascading effect on self-esteem, social acceptance and academic performance. Unrecognized, the impact of ADD/ADHD carries on into adulthood, creating even bigger challenges. What better way is there to learn about something than by reading a good story!

Miss Classified is a wonderful story. It is a fun, face paced story with surprising twists and a very satisfying ending. I sent copies of Miss Classified to my nieces, one in middle school and one in high school. They loved the story and they LOVED Bly! While not struggling with ADD, they have both experienced the challenges faced by Bly, and by all of us. The challenge to belong, to meet the expectations of parents, and to become their own person.

Susan Phelan has written a book that is fun, sensitive and educational. I'm looking forward to her next book!

[Susan Phelan · Rating 5 out of 5]

ADHD - We laugh about it. We cry about it. We pass around meams about it. SQUIRREL!
I have not been diagnosed. The paperwork to do so is around here somewhere. Maybe someday I'll fill it out and turn it in. But several of my kids were diagnosed, so I've seen enough of it first hand.
This is what started my journey to write MISS CLASSIFIED. What if a smart girl got away undiagnosed until she hit middle school/junior high? Then - WHAM! School hit her back. What would her journey be like?
This might sound selfish, but I'd love to see MISS CLASSIFIED in every elementary/middle/junior school. There are kids who may recognize themselves, teachers who may take another look at an under performing child, or others who may have their eyes open to someone's behavior.
And a lucky child may no longer be labeled, by him/herself or by others, as lazy, stupid, or unmotivated.
That is the power of story.

[Becky Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet, funny, and sometimes gut-wrenching, Miss Classified put me right back in the shoes of my own 7th-grade self. The author does a great job of creating a wholesome, uplifting, age-appropriate story without sugarcoating Bly's struggles. Bly is a protagonist anyone would root for, but I can see this book being particularly impactful for neurodivergent kids, or anyone who's struggled with meeting the expectations laid out for them. This is the kind of middle-grade novel I'd love to see more of!

[Ace · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a person with struggles similar to Blythe, this book meant so much to me and I can only imagine how much good it will do in the future! Well written and meaningful, Miss Classified kept a smile on my face and in certain chapters tears in my eyes.

I would highly recommended this book to all!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Ace]

As a person with struggles similar to Blythe, this book meant so much to me and I can only imagine how much good it will do in the future! Well written and meaningful, Miss Classified kept a smile on my face and in certain chapters tears in my eyes.

I would highly recommended this book to all!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Susan Reimer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great story with a main character to cheer for. No matter how hard she tries, Bly seems to only make things worse for herself. When she decides to join the photography group, things start to spiral out of control. With her grades in the dumpster and her parents in the dark, Bly’s friends step in to save the day with some unintended results.

[J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reminds me of something my daughter did. I remember her mother was pretty mad at her and wanted so much to punish her ( with love though ) but I understood and told her (back inside) to see reasons with her 😆. She was quite a reasonable 👠.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a ARC free from Book Sirens and this is my voluntary honest review.
Well written!
Fun!
Enjoyable!
Interesting!
Read and enjoy!

[Sr.MaryJohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great message about working with your parents when you find yourself in a jam.