Confessions from the Principal's Kid: A Fifth Grade Misfit's Journey Between Outsider and Insider for Kids

by Robin Mellom

During the school day, fifth-grader Allie West is an outsider. Everyone knows the principal's kid might tattle to her mom! But after school, Allie is an insider. She's friendly with the janitor, knows the shortest routes around the building, and hangs out with the Afters, a group of misfits whose parents are teachers at their school. Although Allie secretly loves her insider life, she's sick of being an outsider—so she vows to join the Pentagon, the popular math team led by her ex–best friend. But can Allie change her status without betraying where she really belongs?

Genres: Realistic Fiction, Middle Grade, Friendship, Fiction, Family, Young Adult, School

272 pages, Hardcover

Published August 1, 2017

About the author

Robin Mellom is the author of CONFESSIONS FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S KID (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt),THE PAGES BETWEEN US (middle grade book co-written with Lindsey Leavitt; HarperCollins), THE CLASSROOM, a middle grade series (Disney-Hyperion) and a picture book series, HANNAH SPARKLES, (HarperCollins).

Robin has taught grades 5 through 8 and has a master's degree in education. She lives with her husband and son on the Central Coast of California. Visit her at http://www.robinmellombookd.com.

Reviews

[Elise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a BoB book I read with Margot. I like how our main girl navigates complicated relationships and makes her way to discovering that being yourself and loving the people who love you is the best way to be. Sweet book.

And she loves owls.

[Janssen · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's something so delightful about reading a book in less than 24 hours. It's been too long!

[Natali · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this out loud this summer to my 11 year-old son and my 9 year-old nephew. It was a cute story and gave us the opportunity to discuss the many social dilemmas of elementary school. We enjoyed it!

[aameya]

Cute read🥰

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mellom, Robin Confessions from the Principal’s Kid, 262 pages. Houghton Mifflin, 2017. $17. Content: G (some bullying)

Life was okay when Allie’s mom was a teacher, but now that she’s the principal of the elementary school things are definitely not the same. Especially since Allie made the mistake of turning in her best friend for a violation. Now the only kids that really talk to Allie all day are Joel, who just wants to harass her, and the other kids, the Afters, whose parent works at the school. What can Allie do to get the regular kids to speak to her again? And can she do it without hurting the Afters?

The author was herself a principal’s kid and was inspired by a question from another principal’s kids, which makes it all rather sweet. Mellom takes some very real incidents from her life and spins a tale that you don’t have to be a principal’s kid to enjoy.

EL – ADVISABLE. Cindy, Library Teacher
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017...

[Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lukewarm novel for 5th grade readers. Allie West is the daughter of the principal. It is not fun being the daughter of the principal most of the time. Other kids don't know what to make of the consequences in being your friend and your teachers seem to know you all too well. Allie decides to stop hanging out with the Afters, kids whose parents are also teachers at the school and always have to wait until their parents go home and join the Pentagon, a group of math whizzes who are lead by Allie's ex-best friend. Trouble ensues. My problem with the book is how slight the book is and how it doesn't really seem to jibe with reality. It's too cute and uses small phrases and sentences to keep the readability down. The writing is mostly based on being uncomplicated to read and being fast and frenetic, rather than telling any meaningful story. I'm not that fond of these kid of books for kids but there are plenty of them.

[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Allie's mom is the principal at her school, and this brings about some good things (like her after school club of friends and getting to know staff members well) and some not-so-good things (like other students' perceptions of her).

It was an entertaining realistic fiction book with situations that a lot of students can relate to such as trying to fit in, misunderstandings and falling outs with friends, standing up for others who are being bullied, and dealing with parents who are caring, yet busy with their careers. As a teacher's kid myself, I know there are kids out there who can relate to her particular situation (although I spent my after school time getting cream sodas from the vending machine outside the hardware store, potato wedges from the grocery, and reading and hanging out with my friend at our tiny public library).

Recommend for 4th-6th grade students.

[Bridget Neace · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book while at one of my VRC book committee meetings. Quick read with short chapters--I finished it in less than 24 hours.

As a former "After" myself, I found this very believable and realistic. (Although for the better part of my "After" career, it was just me and my little sister, and we did not get on very well at the time. The few times we did hang out with other "Afters," it was two boys, who did not get stuck after school as consistently as we did, and we typically did things like wheeled-chair races through the halls and rubber band wars...you know, basically anything that could involve injury!) I love the Eavesdropping BINGO game in this book!

Kids of school employees will definitely relate to this book; however, I feel that ANY kid can connect on some level with at least one of the characters in this story.

[Lindie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this book! Not only were the chapters short (which is nice when you don't have a ton of time to read) but the storyline is perfect for all ages. A great read-aloud for kids anywhere from 2nd to 6th grade. Now if the author would just write a "sequel" for YA readers about the probable love story between Graham and Allie!

Synopsis: Allie is a 5th grade student whose mom is the principal. After a tragic misunderstanding the year before, Allie lost her best friend Chloe due to "tattling". Now her only friends are the other teachers kids along with the other school staff. After school the group of four kids-called "The Afters"-(a second grader, a fourth grader, and two fifth graders) meet up for fun shenanigans each day. None of them have normal lives since they're "insiders" of the school. But all they want is to be normal and have friends.

[Robin Riley · Rating 4 out of 5]

My children were "Afters" and they did hang out with other "Afters" sometimes. I don't remember hearing any tales about their after experiences--they usually hung out in my room. I was a teacher and a librarian.It was hard on them--especially for my daughter who had me as a teacher as well one year. The experiences in "Confessions" seemed fairly true to life, though. I remember tattling on someone in 3rd grade that was a neighbor friend. It was at least 6 months before she spoke to me again. I don't think the moms were involved in what eventually became a truce with us. I enjoyed the short chapters and did finish within 24 hours. I needed this fairly light-hearted read after a very serious one.

[Sarita Mayer · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun book to read. I like the title and wanted to buy it for a little friend I know from church so I decided to read it first.

Everyone at one point in their life has felt like Allie, an outsider. Allie and her merry band of "Afters" have the run of the school after the final bell of the day.

Entertaining and well-written story showing a fifth grader’s perspective as the school principal’s daughter. It’s clearly not an easy role for a youngster, and Allie shares her ups and downs realistically and thoughtfully — and humorously. Elementary to middle school students will enjoy reading Confessions from the Principal’s Kid.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for elementary school library. I'd give a 4.5 if I could. This is the story of the principle's kid (5th grade girl) navigating friendships in school. The writing is perfect for an average 4th/5th grade reader. The story has a lot going on and it can get confusing: friendship with Chloe, Graham, the Afters. The author does a good job of bringing everything together but I could see a student losing interest near the end. I plan to buy more of this author's books for the library as I can see this writing would appeal to kids.

[Sydney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Allie West is a one of a kind character in a one of a kind book. I love that Robin Mellom based this book on the her life as a 5th Grader, and as the principal's kid. Confessions From The Principal's Kid has a charming story to tell. I enjoyed it very much. I love that Allie finally made the right choices at the end. She chose magnitude over multitude friendship wise. She is a great example to all kids out there. Stand up for what you know is right and Be the person you want to see in the world. I give this book 5 stars! Amazing book, great story. Thanks Robin Mellom!

[Ella · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was incredible! As the daughter of a teacher and the niece of a principal, Allie’s story is one close to my heart. It brought back memories of taking shortcuts through the school, staying late into the night, and knowing all the staff (being best friends with the librarian was always a perk;)). Allie learns to love the strange and exciting life she lives and to own up to who she is. This story of unlikely friendships and after-school escapades will have you smiling, laughing, and wishing that you could be part of the Afters, too.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

My 3rd and 5th graders were fully engaged while we read this one. It was an interesting story about how it would feel to be the principal's daughter at school. It seemed a little long though and we weren't completely smitten with everyone in the book. A few of the problems seemed a little far-fetched, like how Chloe really didn't have a good reason not to talk to Allie for a year.

We liked it, but didn't love it.

[Kristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son (who is a 5th grader) checked this book out from the school library a couple of weeks ago. He's read it and then renewed it so that I could also read it. It means a lot that he's asked and will definitely give us something to talk about.

I enjoyed this book and found it engaging, funny and meaningful. There were some cute laugh out loud moments and some that just brought back memories.

Rating: G
Language: Clean
Recommend: Yes

[Jaymie · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a former teacher's kid and a former teacher whose kid had to sit at school more days than not, I really identified with Allie. I loved the group she hangs with - the Afters - and the ways they try to make the best of their extra time at school. Great story about friendship, family, sacrifice and compromise, and the line between tattling and sticking up for your friends.

[Kemi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story! It reminds me of when I was teaching 5th grade.

Allie was a great narrator-- she felt very authentic. The author did a great job capturing tween angst and anxiety about school, friends, bullies, parents, and finding your place.

This would be a fun read-aloud for 4th or 5th grade.

[Lauren S · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It's an excellent story about defining who you are. Allie is a strong character that many readers can relate to --- with not fitting in, or having weird hobbies (maybe not having a mother for a principal). This was a quick read and I'm glad the library chose to purchase this book!

[The Library Lady · Rating 3 out of 5]

A standard school story, given added spice by the fact that the author based it in part on her own experiences in childhood. Otherwise, this is the millionth kid wants to fit in and doesn't, but eventually does, complete with the former best friend, geeky boy true friend, bully boy, and wise, off beat grownup. Been there, read that, but it's a pretty well done version.

[Ann-Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun, fast read. The main character is a student at the school her mother is the principal. This is both a blessing and a challenge. The girl has to navigate the difficulties of managing friendships. The kids assume that she tells her mother all the wrong doing she sees in the school. And some of them treat them poorly because of that assumption. I gave this book to Rebecca and she devoured and enjoyed it.

[Candace · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a really cute, entertaining book. I genuinely liked Allie, the main character, and I thought the author had a pretty good grip on what kids are like right now and how they talk, etc. I just genuinely liked it. :)

[Susan DuBose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a good book! Written from a middle school girl’s point of view. Being the principal’s kid has a lot of pressure along with it. But a group of other teachers’ kids can help her navigate and figure some things out.

[StarszBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

So cute! I am just starting to read middle grade. It seems as though maintaining friendships or being in danger of losing a friend is a reoccurring theme. Is this really what encompasses the life of a middle school aged kid?

[Jan Raspen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute book that is too young for middle schoolers. It's perfect for fourth/fifth grade kids. I'm not sure why I read it--usually when I see a fifth grade protagonist, I pass on the book, knowing it'll read too young. It was a quick read.

[Jennifer Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in one sitting. The themes of friendship, bullying, feeling like an outsider, confusing relationships— are poignant at any age. I wanted to wrap Graham up and plant him as a friend in my own kids’ schools. Great book.

[Beaniegirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

An awesome book filled with relatable scenes, laughter, surprise, and happiness.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story about a fifth grade girl whose mom is the principal of her elementary school. It's not easy being a principal's kid!

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick fun read

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

For the PKs, Teachers' and Principal's kids out there, or kids of any parent who has an authority role in your life, this will lend insight!!