Straddling the line between guidebook and graphic novel, Swaab’s heavily illustrated how-to works on the generally held assumption that middle school is torturous, and learning to minimize that torture is key to survival. Max Corrigan serves as narrator and ambitious “life coach” for readers, who are placed in the role of new student, with the advertised goal of helping them avoid an existence as sad as that of Eugene Leach, who is so pathetic “even his imaginary friend’s embarrassed to be seen with him.” Narrators from classic social groups, from band geeks to jocks, pop up as guest voices interspersed with Max’s advice, but the deals they attempt to negotiate with readers—the main thread of the story—can be hard to follow amid long, tangential asides like “How to get out of gym class without breaking a sweat” and “How to ditch class like a ninja.” The jaded tone of the first-person narration and the frequent moments of gross-out humor might not please adults, but they are sure to hit the mark with middle schoolers in the trenches. Ages 10–14. Agency: Shannon Associates. (Sept.)