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Kat Greene Comes Clean
Eleven-year-old Kat Greene has a lot on her pre-rinsed plate, thanks to her divorced mom’s obsession with cleaning. When Mom isn’t scrubbing every inch of their Greenwich Village apartment, she’s boiling the silverware or checking Kat’s sheets for bedbugs. It's enough to drive any middle schooler crazy! Add friendship troubles to the mix, a crummy role in the class production of Harriet the Spy, and Mom's decision to try out for "Clean Sweep,” a competitive-cleaning TV game show, and what have you got? More trouble than Kat can handle. At least, without a little help from her friends.
Unknown Binding
First published August 22, 2017
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781 people want to read
About the author
Melissa Roske
2 books101 followersMelissa Roske is a writer of contemporary middle-grade fiction. Before spending her days with imaginary people, Melissa interviewed real ones, as a journalist in Europe. In London, she landed a job as an advice columnist for Just Seventeen magazine, where she answered hundreds of letters from readers each week. (Her column was called “Life Sucks,” but it was Melissa’s job to insist it didn’t.) Upon returning to her native New York, Melissa contributed to several books and magazines, selected jokes for Reader’s Digest, and got certified as a life coach. She lives on the Upper East Side of Manhattan with her husband, Henry, daughter, Chloe, and the occasional dust bunny. KAT GREENE COMES CLEAN is her debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
February 19, 2017
Things aren't going well for Kat Greene. Her mother doesn't seem to want to do anything but clean, and it's getting so bad that now she's cleaning the tops of cans at the local grocery store! Adding insult to injury, her class is performing a play based on Harriet the Spy - Kat's favourite book - and she's gotten the completely unforgettable role of boy with purple socks. As Kat's mom's cleaning compulsions get worse and worse, she's forced to try and take care of the two of them. But she's just a kid, and she needs help, too. Roske's story is a heartfelt and funny, and Kat's experiences are sure to help other kids cope with issues that seem too big for them. A lovely book that is sure to be loved by its readers.
March 6, 2017
The highest praise I can personally ever give a book is to compare it to Judy Blume. This is that book. Kat is right at home with Margaret, Deenie, Peter Hatcher, and Sheila. I loved the authentic tween voice, how Kat struggled realistically with her mother's condition, and the secondary story arc of repairing a friendship. Putting on my educator hat, I LOVE that there is a very positive portrayal of a school clinician and that Kat eventually seeks help for her problem, gets help, and realistic resolution is reached. Highly recommended for classrooms and libraries (and anyone really!)
March 7, 2017
I really enjoyed this book about Kat Greene. She's eleven years old, and knows something is wrong with her mother, who cannot stop cleaning. To make things worse, her best friend recently discovered boys, and can't stop talking about them.
Sometimes stories like these (of parents unable to fully parent) can become very tragic and dark. In this case, it did not. I don't want to spoil the book for anyone, so let's just say that Kat has a good support system of relatives and teachers. With their help, she's able to navigate through the other, more ordinary issues in her life - like preparing for the big class performance of Harriet the Spy!
I thought this was a heartfelt, realistic book, and Kat was a likable protagonist.
Sometimes stories like these (of parents unable to fully parent) can become very tragic and dark. In this case, it did not. I don't want to spoil the book for anyone, so let's just say that Kat has a good support system of relatives and teachers. With their help, she's able to navigate through the other, more ordinary issues in her life - like preparing for the big class performance of Harriet the Spy!
I thought this was a heartfelt, realistic book, and Kat was a likable protagonist.
March 9, 2020
A good read about how a parent’s struggle with O.C.D. can affect a whole family.
I would recommend this to middle-grade readers and teachers.
I would recommend this to middle-grade readers and teachers.
November 10, 2017
Thanks to Charlesbridge for providing me with a review copy of this title!
This is a very well-done middle grade story about an incredibly tough topic - a parent with OCD who has is obsessed with cleaning. Roske has managed to make the topic middle-grade appropriate, which does mean that this issue is essentially tied up with a bow, making it a bit unrealistic for an older, more jaded audience such as myself. However, for grades 4 - 6, this is a nice treatment of a parent with a mental illness. In addition, I also appreciated the Harriet the Spy references throughout the story - I'm interested to see how many students connect with that, though!
This is a very well-done middle grade story about an incredibly tough topic - a parent with OCD who has is obsessed with cleaning. Roske has managed to make the topic middle-grade appropriate, which does mean that this issue is essentially tied up with a bow, making it a bit unrealistic for an older, more jaded audience such as myself. However, for grades 4 - 6, this is a nice treatment of a parent with a mental illness. In addition, I also appreciated the Harriet the Spy references throughout the story - I'm interested to see how many students connect with that, though!
March 20, 2017
KAT GREE mixes humor and charm while tackling mental illness, and while Kat loses a bit of her innocence as she realizes the depth of her mother's struggles, she never loses her sweetness. Couple that with the message that friendship supersedes romance, and this is a great title for the young reader!
June 13, 2018
How could I *not* give my own book five stars? My mom would be very disappointed in me. Right mom? RIGHT? :)
May 22, 2025
Middle Grade perfection! This book is about family, divorce, friendship, puppy love, trusting adults, and mental health.
I was approved for an eARC, via Netgalley, in return for an honest review.
I was approved for an eARC, via Netgalley, in return for an honest review.
March 17, 2019
Kat and this cast of characters will worm their way right into your heart! I'm glad to have a book that handles OCD so brilliantly on my classroom library shelf.
July 2, 2017
Kat's mom won't stop cleaning. She cleans so much that her skin is cracked and peeling, and she seems to have forgotten how to be a proper mom. She forgets to look at Kat's tests and lets her walk the scary way home from the supermarket all by herself. Kat knows she should tell someone, but if she does, she might have to go live with her dad--and he's nice, but his apartment is just not home.
My heart went out to Kat again and again in this book. Her mom needs help, and young Kat is put in the too-adult position of being the only one who can provide it--or at least the only one who can get someone to help. I wanted to hug her so many times as she figured out ways to be brave and to handle such hard things.
What really made this book stand out for me was the top-notch supporting cast. Kat attends Village Humanity School, which she calls "Village Calamity" because there are no report cards, the school guidance counselor is called in for regular "rap sessions," and the kids are encouraged to think outside the box. The result is a book full of kids like Sam (who wants to know if every house he enters is rented or owned) and Wilson (who thinks he's a doctor and constantly prescribes things to his classmates) and many more. I loved all of these kids and laughed out loud numerous times at their adorable and brilliant banter. Village Hilarity is more like it.
My heart went out to Kat again and again in this book. Her mom needs help, and young Kat is put in the too-adult position of being the only one who can provide it--or at least the only one who can get someone to help. I wanted to hug her so many times as she figured out ways to be brave and to handle such hard things.
What really made this book stand out for me was the top-notch supporting cast. Kat attends Village Humanity School, which she calls "Village Calamity" because there are no report cards, the school guidance counselor is called in for regular "rap sessions," and the kids are encouraged to think outside the box. The result is a book full of kids like Sam (who wants to know if every house he enters is rented or owned) and Wilson (who thinks he's a doctor and constantly prescribes things to his classmates) and many more. I loved all of these kids and laughed out loud numerous times at their adorable and brilliant banter. Village Hilarity is more like it.
March 14, 2017
Kat Greene Comes Clean
by Melissa Roske
Charlesbridge
Middle Grade, Children's Fiction
Pub Date 22 Aug 2017
I am voluntarily reviewing a copy of Kat Greene Comes Clean through the publisher and Netgalley:
Kat Greene comes to New York City and attends the very progressive Village Humanity School. Her best friend has become boy crazy. Halle is always talking about boys.
Kat' Mom suffers from OCD and is always cleaning, often throwing some of her favorite things away. Kat tries to get help for her Mother, but soon realizes it's more than she can handle on her own.
I give Kat Greene Comes Clean five out of five stars.
Happy Reading.
February 25, 2017
This is such a lovely story. Kat’s character and voice are beautifully drawn as she navigates school and friends and tries to understand her mother’s cleaning obsession. This book will be entertaining to middle grade readers (a cleaning game show, Kat’s punny dad, her boy-crazy best friend and unconventional school) but will also be of great comfort to any young person who is dealing with something that they are hesitant to discuss with an adult.
March 11, 2017
I loved this book in so many way, not the least of which, was me having a daughter the same age as Kat and I saw a lot of parallels in their feelings about things. Played very true, to me, and because of all of that, made me really feel for Kat. She is an endearing main character and I enjoyed the little references to other classic books. I think any parent of a middle grader, will want to pick up this book for their children. I also think, those parents will want to read it themselves too.
I highly recommend this and look forward to more books from this author.
I highly recommend this and look forward to more books from this author.
April 14, 2019
I absolutely adored Kat’s story! Told with charm and sensitivity, it explores what it’s like growing up with a parent who has mental health struggles and how it’s often difficult to know when to speak up. Also, the realistic portrayal of tween friendships was an added bonus. Five stars!
September 6, 2017
This charming novel is so well polished - no pun intended! Ok, maybe a little ;) - that it's almost a stretch to believe it's a debut novel.
The characters are likable (even in their misguided moments) and believable (perhaps in part because of their misguided moments) and we're gently carried through the fears, thoughts, and emotions surrounding a mental health disorder (in this case OCD) and the general highs and lows that occur in preteen relationships of all kinds.
As the mother of a preteen I especially appreciate the thread throughout this novel that reminds the reader that it's not always easy to talk about the tough stuff but it is so very important.
The characters are likable (even in their misguided moments) and believable (perhaps in part because of their misguided moments) and we're gently carried through the fears, thoughts, and emotions surrounding a mental health disorder (in this case OCD) and the general highs and lows that occur in preteen relationships of all kinds.
As the mother of a preteen I especially appreciate the thread throughout this novel that reminds the reader that it's not always easy to talk about the tough stuff but it is so very important.
February 9, 2018
Kat’s Mom and Dad are divorced; Kat’s best friend gets the part Kat wanted. Can Kat’s life get any worse? Of course. Kat’s Mom cleans and worries about germs until she embarrasses Kat. Kat’s best friend misreads a situation completely. Add to these complications, Kat’s Mom is a contestant on a game show and nothing goes as planned. This is a book about broken relations and trying to repair them. Kat is funny and caring but also confused about how to handle the changing relationships in her life. The book deals with difficult subjects like OCD and jealousy with an informed but light touch.
If you have a child who liked Harriett the Spy, this is a great follow up book.
If you have a child who liked Harriett the Spy, this is a great follow up book.
February 5, 2018
Very helpful for kids in situations like Kat, having a parent struggling with a mental disorder. My own mom grew up with a parent who loved her very much but had psychosis, in Queens NY, and people were a lot less understanding then. No one offered to help and instead ridiculed them. If my mom had had this book as a child, maybe she would have sought help for coping with it instead of thinking it was simply her lot in life as a child.
*I won this through a generous twitter giveaway sponsored by the author! All opinions are mine alone.*
*I won this through a generous twitter giveaway sponsored by the author! All opinions are mine alone.*
July 27, 2017
This was a charming story about the complexities of relationships--both with parents and friends. Kat was a fab main character--likeable and realistic and just trying to do her best by her mum. KAT GREENE COMES CLEAN was funny, heartfelt and I whipped through it.
August 7, 2017
The characters all shine in this story (love the kids in Kat's class) and their dialogue sizzles with realism and humor, as does Kat's voice. I was right there with her every step of the way on her journey toward coming clean, connecting with others, and coping with her mom's obsessive compulsive disorder.
December 12, 2017
This book touched my heart. Kat was dealing with friend problems, boy problems, and on top of that her mom has OCD. I fell in love with Kat and actually her whole class, they’re pretty hilarious. I think the author shines a light on mental illness while keeping it kid appropriate and interesting. My students have enjoyed this book as well.
July 7, 2018
Oh, I adored this charming, beautifully written MG about family, friendship, divorce, and mental illness. I'm a sucker for voice, and Melissa Roske has it in spades, using it to tackle difficult emotional struggles in a relatable, reassuring way. Highly recommended for libraries and classrooms.
March 31, 2017
Oh my goodness -- this middle grade novel is so cute. Kat's grappling with her mom's mental illness, changing friendships, and her rather underwhelming role in her school's production of Harriet the Spy, yet she's still utterly delightful. This debut's got the same timeless feel as Judy Blume's middle grade books, and it relays its themes in a similarly clever and entertaining way. Along with its winsome voice, I most loved the way author Melissa Roske empowers Kat and, as a result, her tween readers. Can't wait to pick up a copy of this book for my daughter (and me!).
December 29, 2017
Such a strong middle grade book! Many great life lessons about family, friends, and emotional issues! Highly recommend! Kat Greene is a memorable character.
February 14, 2018
From the first chapter, I was rooting for Kat. She's smart, funny, warm-hearted and authentic. This is an expertly written story about a girl learning to deal with circumstances she can't control, yet she persevers for herself, her family, and her friendships. It's both fun and deep on many levels.
April 12, 2018
Without a doubt, I loved this book. Kat Greene Comes Clean is a fun book to share with independent readers and deals with mental health in a healthy and realistic way for the age level. Although the story ends with everything in a nice tidy package, it is well written and easy to read. My 3-5th grade students will love the relate-able themes such as friend and relationship drama, changing families, and the importance of communication. A fantastic breakout by Melissa Roske and I can't wait to see the books to come!
November 25, 2017
Kat Greene is your typical 5th grader. She has a pretty normal life in NYC but then things start to get a bit complicated. Her best friend is fixated on her crush, her partner on a school project becomes totally infatuated with her and to top it all off her mom's obsession with cleaning is escalating to an unhealthy level. What's a girl to do?
Melissa Roske shares Kat with her readers and even though I am not a middle school aged reader I loved this book and her masterful way of capturing everything that goes on in a 5th grader's world. Oh yes---It may be years in the past for me but I remember those days filled with angst and friendships and crushes and all of the things that go along with that age. I was transported back to 5th grade drama through her words.
Did I mention that the author is generous as well? Well, it is true. She is. She gifted me a copy of Kat Greene Comes Clean for my Little Free Library and now the gift will keep on giving. If you have a young reader in your family this would make THE perfect gift for anytime but with the holidays upon us I think the time is right to snag a copy.
Kat Greene Comes Clean is a hit in my book. Even for this post 5th grader.
Melissa Roske shares Kat with her readers and even though I am not a middle school aged reader I loved this book and her masterful way of capturing everything that goes on in a 5th grader's world. Oh yes---It may be years in the past for me but I remember those days filled with angst and friendships and crushes and all of the things that go along with that age. I was transported back to 5th grade drama through her words.
Did I mention that the author is generous as well? Well, it is true. She is. She gifted me a copy of Kat Greene Comes Clean for my Little Free Library and now the gift will keep on giving. If you have a young reader in your family this would make THE perfect gift for anytime but with the holidays upon us I think the time is right to snag a copy.
Kat Greene Comes Clean is a hit in my book. Even for this post 5th grader.
March 18, 2017
E-ARC provided by Edelweiss
This is a great middle grade story about a girl whose mother has OCD, a topic not often found in stories for kids. In this case, it is addressed very well-not terribly sad or wrapped up with a perfect ending, and the girl gets help from adults who care.
This is a great middle grade story about a girl whose mother has OCD, a topic not often found in stories for kids. In this case, it is addressed very well-not terribly sad or wrapped up with a perfect ending, and the girl gets help from adults who care.
November 25, 2017
If you've ever had a crush, been embarrassed by a parent or fought with a best friend, you'll instantly identify with Kat Greene! This funny, heartfelt novel about a girl who has to navigate the minefield that is tweendom is right on target and will keep you turning pages. Melissa Roske deftly explores questions of friendship and family that would make for fantastic discussion in the classroom or during at-home readaloud. I loved this book and am keeping my fingers crossed for a sequel! I'd be thrilled to see Kat and her mom and dad, along with Olympia, Halle, Sam and the whole cast characters make a reappearance soon! Definitely a five-star read!!!
January 22, 2018
Great read! Great realistic fiction book for those in 5th and 6th grade. No overly sad parts--no one dies; however, the book deals with realistic problems a child would see a parent go through and realistic friend problems also. This reminded me of the Judy Blume and Beverly Clearly books I use to love.
November 7, 2017
Kat Greene Comes Clean
By Melissa Roske
Illustrated by Nathan Durfee
Where do I begin to tell you about this wonderful book? Kat is a sixth grader who is dealing with so much in her life, but she is also very fortunate to be surrounded by lots of caring and supportive people, both children and adults. She is also a girl I so admired. Kat shows strength, compassion, bravery and flexibility throughout the story. I admired her relationship with her divorced parents, as well as her stepmother and her respect for her school counselor, Olympia. I admired the courage she displayed when she confided in her best friend, Halle, about her concern about her mother’s cleaning OCD, when she finally approached Olympia with her problems and when she tried to discuss the OCD issue with her mom. I admired her courage to tell her dad about her mom’s problem, although she is sure that it will mean she will need to move in with her dad, far away from her friends. I admired Kat’s loyalty to her mom, even when her mom humiliated her in front of her classmates with her cleaning and germ obsessions. I admired her strength when she apologized to her best friend and tried to solve their friendship problems. And finally, I admired her flexibility when she moved into a bedroom with her three year old brother at her dad’s apartment, while her mom attended counseling. Each of these situations is so challenging, and is especially so to a sixth grader, but Kat kept going.
And finally don’t miss the amazing cover! I loved searching for all of the surprises hidden away in every detail.
This is a book that needs to be in every elementary and middle school library and should be on every school psychologist’s bookshelf. I highly recommend it to grades 4 - 8.
By Melissa Roske
Illustrated by Nathan Durfee
Where do I begin to tell you about this wonderful book? Kat is a sixth grader who is dealing with so much in her life, but she is also very fortunate to be surrounded by lots of caring and supportive people, both children and adults. She is also a girl I so admired. Kat shows strength, compassion, bravery and flexibility throughout the story. I admired her relationship with her divorced parents, as well as her stepmother and her respect for her school counselor, Olympia. I admired the courage she displayed when she confided in her best friend, Halle, about her concern about her mother’s cleaning OCD, when she finally approached Olympia with her problems and when she tried to discuss the OCD issue with her mom. I admired her courage to tell her dad about her mom’s problem, although she is sure that it will mean she will need to move in with her dad, far away from her friends. I admired Kat’s loyalty to her mom, even when her mom humiliated her in front of her classmates with her cleaning and germ obsessions. I admired her strength when she apologized to her best friend and tried to solve their friendship problems. And finally, I admired her flexibility when she moved into a bedroom with her three year old brother at her dad’s apartment, while her mom attended counseling. Each of these situations is so challenging, and is especially so to a sixth grader, but Kat kept going.
And finally don’t miss the amazing cover! I loved searching for all of the surprises hidden away in every detail.
This is a book that needs to be in every elementary and middle school library and should be on every school psychologist’s bookshelf. I highly recommend it to grades 4 - 8.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews