n nFrom popular middle-grade novelist Janet Tashjian comes another hilarious installment in the My Life series, with illustrations by Janets son, Jake Tashjian. n nDerek Fallon discovers all the angst that comes with being twelve--he just wants to feel grown up, but life gets in the way with a series of mishaps that make him look like a baby. He passes out during a worm dissection in science class, falls flat on his face in gym class and gets a fat lip that causes him to lisp all day, and his plans for a monster-truck party turn into a bouncy house disaster. Why isnt being in middle school as great as Derek imagined? Thankfully, with a little help from his friends--and, ironically, a Toys for Tots fundraiser--things seem like they could start shaping up at last.n nMy Life as a Joke by Janet and Jake Tashjian is a Christy Ottaviano Book n nReaders will connect with likable Derek and his efforts to improve himself that dont ever go right . . . Its sure to be a hit with fans of the previous installments. --School Library Journaln nA kinder, gentler Wimpy Kid with all the fun and more plot. --Kirkus Reviews, starred review on My Life as a Bookn nDont forget the rest of the My Life series nMy Life as a Book nMy Life as a Stuntman nMy Life as a Cartoonist nMy Life as a Joke nMy Life as a Gamer nMy Life as a Ninjan