Jake the Fake Goes for Laughs by Craig Robinson
Published by Crown Books for Young Readers on March 26th 2019
ISBN: 0553523554
Pages: 176
Goodreads

This second book in the series finds Jake working on his comedy routine after achieving success in front of an audience.  Struggling with self confidence, Jake pretends he is far more talented than he is capable. Jake knows he is being arrogant and unkind, but cannot seem to stop himself.  Jake’s insightfulness and observing how his sister handles her fame eventually leads to the healing of both his and his mentor’s friendships. Friendship, the value of a mentor, learning from mistakes, and authenticity are themes in the book.  Illustrations adorn nearly every page breaking up the text and adding additional humor to the novel. Readers will encounter a wordsearch, a maze, matching, and even funny chicken names (Hen Solo) while reading. Some readers may enjoy the humor in this book, but others may not understand the many puns and cultural references.  Teachers and librarians will enjoy being able to offer fans of Big Nate and Diary of a Wimpy Kid an alternative featuring a main character of color.  Recommended for ages 8-12.

Reviewed by Heather Hale, Easton School District, Easton