Dork Diaries by Rachel Renee Russell

Nikki Maxwell has started at a new Middle School and feels out of place. So, she starts keeping a diary reporting the adventures of the CCPs (Cute, Cool and Popular) people, her efforts to fit in, and her various adventures. She's artistic and wants to enter an Art Contest, but feels intimidated by one of the popular girls, so she signs up to be a library helper instead. There, she makes friends and embarks on more adventures. The book is funny and illustrated with line drawings, and emphasizes the importance of peer acceptance in middle school. Dork Diaries: Tales from a NOT-SO-Fabulous Life by Rachel Renee Russell. Aladdin, 2009.

Spaceheadz by Jon Scieska

Michael K. is starting at a new school and is assigned to sit with two other new students, who are decidedly weird. While Michael is trying to live down staring in a famous cereal commercial due to his dad being in the advertising, the new kids are walking advertising slogans. They claim they are from another planet and have been listening/watching all the broadcasts from earth, apparently mostly the television advertisements. Michael has to help them recruit people to be SPHDZ or the earth will be "turned off." They are being tracked by a hapless agent from the Anti-Alien Agency (AAA). Fast-paced, full of silliness, the book includes regular asides about scientific facts. First of a series, the book contains links to SPHDZ.com and ANTIALIENAGENCY.Com where you can get more information and sign up to be a SPHDZ. Spaceheadz by Jon Scieska. Simon and Schuster, 2010.