It’s the first day of middle school and anxiety is running high. A fake cough isn’t going to get Marlene out of this one…and even if it did, how will she cope with the next 179 days of the school year?

Elementary school for Marlene Aneth Strake had always been a dream. She was popular, funny, and smart, in a private school with just 23 students.

As she gets ready for her first day at a new middle school, however, she is both pessimistic and confused by the ugly rat mascot attached to her uglier red school uniform.

It isn’t enough that Mrs. Strudel is a scatterbrain who forgets many of her responsibilities or that her science teacher insists on using a ridiculous pointy finger on a stick to control his class.

From day one, Marlene knows she is going to have to put up with the dramas of Ms. Popularity (Serenity) and an endless trail of gossip.

The days turn into weeks, and Marlene turns to journaling for reassurance. However, she knows she won’t be able to hide in the bathroom stalls at lunchtime for very much longer.

One unexpected day, the moment she has been dreading arises—a group science project! And who is she partnered with? None other than Serenity and Franko, the class clown.

If she has any chance of succeeding, Marlene is going to have to step out of her comfort zone and take control.

Despite Serenity's disgust at most ideas and Franko’s stunt antics, Marlene slowly makes a breakthrough, and although the road is a rocky one, surprising events unfold, and a friendship is forged.

But disaster is just around the corner!

What lengths will Serenity's friends go to split up this new friendship? Far enough to steal Marlene’s journal and show Serenity and Franko what she thought about them in the early days of school?

Will the fall break be enough to forget the pain she has caused, or will the whole school still be against her?

From the twists and turns of the corridors to the ups and downs of their favorite hang-out at the skatepark, discover how a mystery can be the missing link the girls need to rekindle their friendship.

Follow the journey of one student's epic middle school rollercoaster, accompany her through the laughs and tears, and know that you aren’t alone! Scroll up and click the “Add to Cart” button right now.