Just Watch Me!

the breezy, sometimes slapstick humor will appeal to reluctant readers.

RecommendedErin Silver's Just Watch Me is about 12-year-old Simon Rosen and his experiences in Technology class with the new class assignment. Instead of a robotics course, Simon's class is focused on social media, and, in his assignment, he has to live stream on VideoKids channel. There will be only one “A” awarded, and Simon has to get an "A" if his master plan to get his parents back together will work. One video after another is increasingly more embarrassing than the last. It is all unintentional, and the surprising result is that Simon's classmates believe it is all on purpose.Just Watch Me is about more than just Simon's technology class. It is about Simon, his friendships, and his family situation which is falling apart. Simon, like many teens, believes he can save his parents' marriage by getting an "A" and then going to Vancouver for the Video Game Championship for which he has already qualified. This goal is not realistic, but he works towards this even to the extent of jeopardizing his long friendship with Jocelyn who also wants to get an "A". Her reasons focus on proving to her family that she is working hard at school.Silver has created a very believable character in Simon. His experiences are equally believable. He is a typical tween struggling to get through as his parents' marriage is falling apart and he feels powerless. He is also that “That kid” who is picked on and made fun of constantly. The topic of bullying is also explored bravely in Just Watch Me.