What do you think?
Rate this book
Cringe Club
THE BESTSELLING NEW SERIES FOR KIDS, TOLD ENTIRELY IN THE FORM OF A GROUP CHAT, FROM AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR AND COMEDY-WRITER, EMILY-JANE CLARK.
Welcome to the group chat! It's called Cringe Club because, as you might have guessed, it contains a cringe binge of EPIC proportions.
My name is Kennedy King and I have been FORCED to move to London by The Mother. I have just started Hellington High School (aka HELL HIGH). The only GOOD thing about moving is that The Mother has finally agreed to let me have my own phone (guilt present) so I can stay in touch with my best friends. Enter at your own risk (of cringe) and remember . . . what is said in Cringe Club, STAYS in Cringe Club.
Features themes of fitting in and making friends, starting a new school and (most importantly) embracing your cringe!For readers aged 8+ with illustrations throughout
Perfect for fans of Lottie Brooks and Dork Diaries
Readers LOVE the Cringe
“Cringe Club is ideal for fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid [and] Dork Diaries”“The perfect book for reluctant teens”“Books like this make reading a joy”“I struggle to get my teen to read books so it was wonderful to see her enjoying this one so much”“An ideal gift for any tween or teen”“Hilarious and perfect for tweens”
*Cringe Club was an Amazon #1 bestseller in Children's Books on Marriage & Divorce on 24/08/2025
**Emily-Jane Clark won the BASH award and the Fantastic Book Award with her debut.
Welcome to the group chat! It's called Cringe Club because, as you might have guessed, it contains a cringe binge of EPIC proportions.
My name is Kennedy King and I have been FORCED to move to London by The Mother. I have just started Hellington High School (aka HELL HIGH). The only GOOD thing about moving is that The Mother has finally agreed to let me have my own phone (guilt present) so I can stay in touch with my best friends. Enter at your own risk (of cringe) and remember . . . what is said in Cringe Club, STAYS in Cringe Club.
Features themes of fitting in and making friends, starting a new school and (most importantly) embracing your cringe!For readers aged 8+ with illustrations throughout
Perfect for fans of Lottie Brooks and Dork Diaries
Readers LOVE the Cringe
“Cringe Club is ideal for fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid [and] Dork Diaries”“The perfect book for reluctant teens”“Books like this make reading a joy”“I struggle to get my teen to read books so it was wonderful to see her enjoying this one so much”“An ideal gift for any tween or teen”“Hilarious and perfect for tweens”
*Cringe Club was an Amazon #1 bestseller in Children's Books on Marriage & Divorce on 24/08/2025
**Emily-Jane Clark won the BASH award and the Fantastic Book Award with her debut.
352 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 31, 2025
55 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
About the author
Emily-Jane Clark
15 books8 followers Emily-Jane Clark is a comedy writer and mother of two VERY lively daughters.
She writes for the UK's top satirical news site, The Daily Mash as well as the Mash Report, Mock The Week, BBC Writers Room, Crooked Pieces, The Show What You Wrote and by Director's Cut Theatre.
She was also a finalist ion the Funny Women Awards 2017 and won the Craft of Comedy UK new writing competition in 2018.
She writes more important stuff that's not funny for Metro UK, Huffington Post and the New Statesman.
She is also a former Red Coat and a failed pop singer.
Sleep is for the Weak: How to survive when your baby won't go the fzZk to sleep is her first book.
She writes for the UK's top satirical news site, The Daily Mash as well as the Mash Report, Mock The Week, BBC Writers Room, Crooked Pieces, The Show What You Wrote and by Director's Cut Theatre.
She was also a finalist ion the Funny Women Awards 2017 and won the Craft of Comedy UK new writing competition in 2018.
She writes more important stuff that's not funny for Metro UK, Huffington Post and the New Statesman.
She is also a former Red Coat and a failed pop singer.
Sleep is for the Weak: How to survive when your baby won't go the fzZk to sleep is her first book.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 6, 2026
Real literature is back 🙏
August 24, 2025
I thought this book entirely written in WhatsApp messages was blooming brilliant, well done to the author for packing so much into so few words.
The book follows Kennedy as she has to start secondary school but in an entirely new town. Not only is she having to adjust to the new school, but without her primary school friends.
The book is aimed at the 11/12 age range, but I was laughing aloud through most of it as it took me back to my earlier school years, I would definitely recommend this to both older and younger kids too.
The was no swearing, no relationship talk, just chatting about how the friendship group was fitting in to their schools.
The illustrations and layout were brilliant and I just think the author did such a great job.
The book follows Kennedy as she has to start secondary school but in an entirely new town. Not only is she having to adjust to the new school, but without her primary school friends.
The book is aimed at the 11/12 age range, but I was laughing aloud through most of it as it took me back to my earlier school years, I would definitely recommend this to both older and younger kids too.
The was no swearing, no relationship talk, just chatting about how the friendship group was fitting in to their schools.
The illustrations and layout were brilliant and I just think the author did such a great job.
January 2, 2026
first books of 2026
November 12, 2025
Cringe Club is one of the funniest books I’ve ever read! It’s all about a group of kids who feel awkward or different, and they decide to start their own club where everyone can just be themselves. I liked how real the characters felt and how funny the story was from start to finish.
The layout of the book was really unique and fun. There were doodles, lists, text messages, and little notes that made it feel like I was reading someone’s real diary or chat history. It made the story more interesting and kept me wanting to turn the pages.
I loved how it showed that being “cringe” isn’t a bad thing, it’s what makes you original. The jokes were hilarious, and it had a really positive message about being confident in who you are.
Overall, I’d definitely recommend Cringe Club to anyone who wants a funny, creative, and feel good book that reminds you it’s cool to just be yourself.
The layout of the book was really unique and fun. There were doodles, lists, text messages, and little notes that made it feel like I was reading someone’s real diary or chat history. It made the story more interesting and kept me wanting to turn the pages.
I loved how it showed that being “cringe” isn’t a bad thing, it’s what makes you original. The jokes were hilarious, and it had a really positive message about being confident in who you are.
Overall, I’d definitely recommend Cringe Club to anyone who wants a funny, creative, and feel good book that reminds you it’s cool to just be yourself.
January 23, 2026
Sięgnęłam po tę książkę pomimo tego, że na pierwszy rzut oka wydaje się skierowana do dużo młodszych czytelników. W końcu jej bohaterowie mają dopiero dwanaście lat. Nie ukrywam, że dzieli nas spora różnica wieku. Nie przeszkodziła mi ona jednak w doskonałej zabawie.
„Cringe Club” to książka, która będzie bawić zarówno tych młodszych, jak i starszych. To doskonałe poczucie humoru i lekko opowiedziana historia, która aż prosi się o kontynuację.
Jestem wielką fanką tego, że cała akcja przedstawiona jest wyłącznie za pomocą wiadomości wymienianych za pomocą komunikatora. Nie ma tu żadnego narratora, żadnych dopowiedzeń. Wszystkiego dowiadujemy się z rozmów bohaterów. Złośliwi mogliby powiedzieć, że jest to jedyna forma, jaka jest w stanie dotrzeć do współczesnych nastolatków. Że są oni w stanie zrozumieć tylko krótkie wiadomości i szybkie zdjęcia wysyłane przez Internet. Ja jednak uważam, że jest to doskonały sposób zainteresowania młodego odbiorcy. Wszyscy przecież wiemy, że taki sposób komunikacji i przekazywania informacji jest dla nich podstawową i zupełnie naturalną formą. Nie widzę więc przeszkód w tym, by przenieść tę formę do literatury i tym sposobem nakłonić najmłodszych do sięgnięcia po książkę. To współczesna książka idealnie dopasowana do współczesnych nastolatków.
„Cringe Club” skupia się na losach Kennedy, która rozpoczyna naukę w nowej szkole. Wraz z mamą i siostrą wyprowadziła się z małej wsi i przeniosła do Londynu. W nowym miejscu nie zna nikogo, a w znalezieniu przyjaciół pomagają jej znajomi z poprzedniej szkoły. Kennedy musi wybierać pomiędzy dopasowaniem się do społeczeństwa, a pozostaniem sobą. Przeżywa wiele nastoletnich dramatów, które nas czytelników bawią, w ten pozytywny i ciepły sposób.
Książka wydana jest naprawdę przyjemnie. Bardzo dobrze prezentuje się wizualnie, a sam tekst jest również godny pochwały. W jakiś magiczny sposób autorka sprawiła, że nigdy nie nudzą nas wiadomości wymieniane między bohaterami. Ja nie mogłam się oderwać. Przeczytałam w jeden dzień i z przyjemnością przekażę teraz tę książkę młodszym czytelnikom. Wierzę, że spodoba się im ona tak samo mocno, jak mi.
Oceniam ją bardzo wysoko ze względu na to, że w swoim gatunku naprawdę zasługuje na wyróżnienie. To ciekawa forma połączona z komedią, a jednocześnie zawierająca morał i głębszy przekaz. Niczego więcej nie potrzebuję.
„Cringe Club” to książka, która będzie bawić zarówno tych młodszych, jak i starszych. To doskonałe poczucie humoru i lekko opowiedziana historia, która aż prosi się o kontynuację.
Jestem wielką fanką tego, że cała akcja przedstawiona jest wyłącznie za pomocą wiadomości wymienianych za pomocą komunikatora. Nie ma tu żadnego narratora, żadnych dopowiedzeń. Wszystkiego dowiadujemy się z rozmów bohaterów. Złośliwi mogliby powiedzieć, że jest to jedyna forma, jaka jest w stanie dotrzeć do współczesnych nastolatków. Że są oni w stanie zrozumieć tylko krótkie wiadomości i szybkie zdjęcia wysyłane przez Internet. Ja jednak uważam, że jest to doskonały sposób zainteresowania młodego odbiorcy. Wszyscy przecież wiemy, że taki sposób komunikacji i przekazywania informacji jest dla nich podstawową i zupełnie naturalną formą. Nie widzę więc przeszkód w tym, by przenieść tę formę do literatury i tym sposobem nakłonić najmłodszych do sięgnięcia po książkę. To współczesna książka idealnie dopasowana do współczesnych nastolatków.
„Cringe Club” skupia się na losach Kennedy, która rozpoczyna naukę w nowej szkole. Wraz z mamą i siostrą wyprowadziła się z małej wsi i przeniosła do Londynu. W nowym miejscu nie zna nikogo, a w znalezieniu przyjaciół pomagają jej znajomi z poprzedniej szkoły. Kennedy musi wybierać pomiędzy dopasowaniem się do społeczeństwa, a pozostaniem sobą. Przeżywa wiele nastoletnich dramatów, które nas czytelników bawią, w ten pozytywny i ciepły sposób.
Książka wydana jest naprawdę przyjemnie. Bardzo dobrze prezentuje się wizualnie, a sam tekst jest również godny pochwały. W jakiś magiczny sposób autorka sprawiła, że nigdy nie nudzą nas wiadomości wymieniane między bohaterami. Ja nie mogłam się oderwać. Przeczytałam w jeden dzień i z przyjemnością przekażę teraz tę książkę młodszym czytelnikom. Wierzę, że spodoba się im ona tak samo mocno, jak mi.
Oceniam ją bardzo wysoko ze względu na to, że w swoim gatunku naprawdę zasługuje na wyróżnienie. To ciekawa forma połączona z komedią, a jednocześnie zawierająca morał i głębszy przekaz. Niczego więcej nie potrzebuję.
August 24, 2025
- I loved this utterly hilarious book! It was so funny, cringe and totally embarrassing, but it was an absolutely amazing read!
Kennedy King has moved from the empty countryside to the busy streets of London with her mum and sister, with all of her friends left behind. So, starting Year 7 at Secondary school with no friends seems like hell for Kennedy, with only her group chat with her old friends Liv and Devon keeping her alive. From school drama to embarrassing moments, Cringe Club has it all. But, the question is, will Kennedy make friends, or will she be the only one living in her Cringe-fest?
I loved this book! It was all in text messages, and I haven’t read a book quite like that before. It was so funny, making me laugh, smile, and CRINGE. Some of the moments in this book were so embarrassing and cringey, but I was here for it. I loved Emily-Jane’s writing style, as I didn’t want to put the book down. I would definitely recommend this book, and I hope to read more of this authors work in the future!
Kennedy King has moved from the empty countryside to the busy streets of London with her mum and sister, with all of her friends left behind. So, starting Year 7 at Secondary school with no friends seems like hell for Kennedy, with only her group chat with her old friends Liv and Devon keeping her alive. From school drama to embarrassing moments, Cringe Club has it all. But, the question is, will Kennedy make friends, or will she be the only one living in her Cringe-fest?
I loved this book! It was all in text messages, and I haven’t read a book quite like that before. It was so funny, making me laugh, smile, and CRINGE. Some of the moments in this book were so embarrassing and cringey, but I was here for it. I loved Emily-Jane’s writing style, as I didn’t want to put the book down. I would definitely recommend this book, and I hope to read more of this authors work in the future!
February 20, 2026
This book was a RIOT! Absolutely loved it and really giggled my way through it. Kids today have no idea of the cringe us 80s and 90s kids went through, but loved how relatable this content was.
Loved the lingo (minus skibidi toilet, as that was massively triggering IYKYK teachers!) and I totally want to start a band called Victims of Cringe 🤘
Follow Liv, Devon and Kennedy as they navigate secondary as tweens, learn how to make friends and try to survive the cringe-fest that is school. Everything sucks for them (they really have no idea how good they have it!) and life is so hard. Such a modern read, with the phone element and references to now. I think this book will really appeal to my Y6 class, who will be thinking about transition and change very soon. The format of the book is really accessible too.
Shout out to ‘The Mother’ and Grandalf, who were pure class! Nothing cringe about them at all 🙌🏽🙌🏽
Prepare to giggle your head off at MC Flannel Sausage and her pun-tastic friends 🧀 🧀.
I will never look at a flapjack the same again…
Brilliant book - a must read! 🙌🏽🫶🏼😬
Loved the lingo (minus skibidi toilet, as that was massively triggering IYKYK teachers!) and I totally want to start a band called Victims of Cringe 🤘
Follow Liv, Devon and Kennedy as they navigate secondary as tweens, learn how to make friends and try to survive the cringe-fest that is school. Everything sucks for them (they really have no idea how good they have it!) and life is so hard. Such a modern read, with the phone element and references to now. I think this book will really appeal to my Y6 class, who will be thinking about transition and change very soon. The format of the book is really accessible too.
Shout out to ‘The Mother’ and Grandalf, who were pure class! Nothing cringe about them at all 🙌🏽🙌🏽
Prepare to giggle your head off at MC Flannel Sausage and her pun-tastic friends 🧀 🧀.
I will never look at a flapjack the same again…
Brilliant book - a must read! 🙌🏽🫶🏼😬
October 4, 2025
Emily-Jane gives us a sneaky peek into the phones - and cringe-filled lives - of best friends Devon, Liv, and our protagonist Kennedy, as they embark on their first year of high school.
The WhatsApp chat format of this book is refreshing, exciting and different, and makes it a snappy read; perfect for reluctant readers!
Handling sensitive topics; like divorce, relocation and the move from primary to secondary school; gently and positively with witty humour - the character’s kindness and camaraderie, and warm authenticity, glow from the page.
Using inspiration from her own childhood diaries, Emily-Jane’s outrageously cringey confessions had me laughing out loud throughout the book.
Clever, captivating and utterly cringe-tastic!
The WhatsApp chat format of this book is refreshing, exciting and different, and makes it a snappy read; perfect for reluctant readers!
Handling sensitive topics; like divorce, relocation and the move from primary to secondary school; gently and positively with witty humour - the character’s kindness and camaraderie, and warm authenticity, glow from the page.
Using inspiration from her own childhood diaries, Emily-Jane’s outrageously cringey confessions had me laughing out loud throughout the book.
Clever, captivating and utterly cringe-tastic!
August 3, 2025
Fun new middle grade read. Full review here: https://www.parentingwithouttears.com...
Read
March 11, 2026Great friendship/coming of age for fans of Lottie Brooks. Year 5 and up.
March 13, 2026
It was a really good book I really enjoyed it was really funny and I like how it was written like lots off different text messages
January 28, 2026
humor w tej książce totalnie mi się nie spodobał, więc jestem bardziej na nie niż na tak. mimo to były tu ciekawe wątki i nie była to zła lektura.
February 14, 2026
I loved this book soooo much it is the best book ever I read it 4 times
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews