DECEMBER 2019 - AudioFile
Author Laurie Gelman delivers her second in the Class Mom series in a style no less enthusiastic than her first narration. Jen is now responsible for safety patrol supervision, along with her third-grade- class parent duties. Spread thin as her two daughters struggle to find their places in adulthood and her aging parents need more of her attention, Jen laughs through her frustrations. Gelman sounds emphatically scolding yet kind as Jen’s mom, who hilariously flips between the two tones. Influenced by Nickelodeon, Max is no longer the sweet kindergartner introduced previously; now he’s often rude and sarcastic and speaks in a challenging and defiant tone. Jen’s emails to the third-grade parents remain her comedic stage—with each one featuring deft sarcasm and perfect timing. A.L.C. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine
From the Publisher
"Something tells me that Laurie Gelman has been volunteered many, many times. This is a must-read and a love letter to all those underappreciated multitaskers, who just want to be left alone." —Kelly Ripa
“Gelman’s laugh-out-loud follow-up gets an A.” —People
“Gelman gets right to the point reuniting readers with the main character they fell in love with in her debut, Class Mom…Her antics are laugh-out-loud funny, and she shows no signs of slowing down. The tone and pacing are excellent, and new characters, who come with their own issues and snark, are delightful.” —Library Journal, *starred review*
“Wisecracking Jen Dixon is back in Gelman’s enjoyable follow-up to Class Mom. This refreshing take on modern suburbia will appeal to fans of Lauren Weisberger.” —Publishers Weekly
“Dixon's emails to and escapades among the concerned parents of Kansas City have the same anodyne quality as an old-fashioned television sitcom, with a pratfall, a wisecrack, and a chuckle every few minutes like clockwork… Just add chardonnay.” —Kirkus Reviews
“All mothers will find themselves relating to Jen’s struggles as a mother and wife in You’ve Been Volunteered.” —WorkingMother.com
“I just wish Jen was real so I could hang out with her. Hilarious and the exact escape I needed at night after putting my kid down. Funny, heartwarming, and fulfilling. Brava!" —Katie Lowes, actress
“Jen’s cheeky and mildly cynical worldview will delight any mom who has ever had to convince fellow parents to bring gluten-free cupcakes to the class party. Give to fans of Allison Pearson and of Sophie Kinsella’s Shopaholic books.” —Booklist
“In an age overrun with superheroes, Jennifer Dixon may have the most formidable superpower: smooth-flowing snark. Laurie Gelman’s follow-up to Class Mom proves the pen is mightier than the sword, the shield, the hammer, or even wrist-propelled spider webs. It’s great fun." —Tom Bergeron, Emmy Award-winning TV host
“This delicious sequel to Class Mom will resonate whether you’re in the thick of the PTA years or looking back at them longingly. Get ready to laugh out loud with this highly relatable and breezy read.” —Jane L. Rosen, author of Nine Women, One Dress
DECEMBER 2019 - AudioFile
Author Laurie Gelman delivers her second in the Class Mom series in a style no less enthusiastic than her first narration. Jen is now responsible for safety patrol supervision, along with her third-grade- class parent duties. Spread thin as her two daughters struggle to find their places in adulthood and her aging parents need more of her attention, Jen laughs through her frustrations. Gelman sounds emphatically scolding yet kind as Jen’s mom, who hilariously flips between the two tones. Influenced by Nickelodeon, Max is no longer the sweet kindergartner introduced previously; now he’s often rude and sarcastic and speaks in a challenging and defiant tone. Jen’s emails to the third-grade parents remain her comedic stage—with each one featuring deft sarcasm and perfect timing. A.L.C. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Reviews
2019-04-14
Max Dixon is in third grade, and his mother has been roped into active duty again.
The subtitle of this sequel to Gelman's (Class Mom, 2017) maiden foray into the wilds of elementary school volunteering indicates that Jen Dixon, room parent extraordinaire, is in it for the long haul. Good thing. Dixon's emails to and escapades among the concerned parents of Kansas City have the same anodyne quality as an old-fashioned television sitcom, with a pratfall, a wisecrack, and a chuckle every few minutes like clockwork. This year, Dixon is trying to use the SignUpGenius software to organize the refreshments for "that Fyre Festival known as curriculum night," has been charged with supervising the morning safety patrol, and is coping with the effects of a nasty new kid and his tight-ass mom on the peanut-free ethos of William Taft Elementary. Her mom has recovered from breast cancer, her husband, Ron, is trying to woo an investor to help him expand his sporting goods business, her adult daughters are having boy troubles, and Jen herself has discovered the transcendent joys of spin class. The plot gambols along from one parent missive to the next—"Exciting news from Mrs. Randazzo! She has finally decided on a field trip for our offspring. About time, am I right?" "I'm sure by now you've all heard what happened at safety patrol today so let me just state the obvious: this cannot happen again"—takes a quick, boozy detour to Vegas, and winds up with everything just fine, sitcom style.
Just add chardonnay.
