They call him Fish Lips.
He calls it a comeback.
Sixth-grader Jahlil James didn't ask for the nickname-or the attention that comes with it. Between the jokes, the whispers, and the endless middle-school drama, keeping his cool feels like a full-time job. But when a hallway rumor spirals and his friends start choosing sides, Jahlil learns that silence can be loud-and speaking up can change everything.
Told in Jahlil's funny, honest, diary-style voice,
They Call Me Fish Lips
captures what it's really like to stand out when all you want is to fit in. With help from his family, his loyal crew, and one wild race that flips the story, Jahlil discovers that being different isn't a weakness-it's his superpower.
Perfect for readers ages 9-12 who love realistic school stories, laugh-out-loud moments, and heart-first comebacks,
reminds every kid that you don't have to roar to lead-and you never fight alone.