Rebel with a Cupcake

Gr 9 Up—High schooler Jesobel Jones begins her story on Own Clothes Day at School—the exciting, or dreaded day, depending on who you are. She gets ready with her friends, experimenting in her own style, but soon starts to consider her public persona vs. her self-image and whether or not her love for cooking, baking, and all things food is affecting her social status. On this infamous day in school, Jess starts out with a mishap with the school bully and ends with a party invitation by her crush. The story follows Jess and her journey from fitting in to her ultimate self-discovery, all the while learning some lessons about family, friendship, love, and being herself. This fun read is told from the perspective of Jess—an engaging and easily relatable narrator. Mainwaring has captured what it's like to be a teenager and brings about all the feelings about being in high school—the hopes, the fears, and everything in between.