Class Mom

Laurie Gelman's clever debut novel about a year in the life of a kindergarten class mom--a brilliant send-up of the petty and surprisingly cutthroat terrain of parent politics.

Jen Dixon is not your typical Kansas City kindergarten class mom--or mom in general. Jen already has two college-age daughters by two different (probably) musicians, and it's her second time around the class mom block with five-year-old Max--this time with a husband and father by her side. Though her best friend and PTA President sees her as the-wisest-candidate for the job (or oldest), not all of the other parents agree.

From recording parents' response times to her emails about helping in the classroom, to requesting contributions of-special-brownies for curriculum night, not all of Jen's methods win approval from the other moms. Throw in an old flame from Jen's past, a hyper-sensitive -allergy mom,-a surprisingly sexy kindergarten teacher, and an impossible-to-please Real Housewife-wannabe, causing problems at every turn, and the job really becomes much more than she signed up for.

Relatable, irreverent, and hilarious in the spirit of Maria Semple this is a fresh, welcome voice in fiction--the kind of novel that real moms clamor for, and a vicarious thrill-read for all mothers, who will be laughing as they are liberated by Gelman's acerbic truths.


My Review

This is a strong showing from new author, Laurie Gelman. I could not stop laughing. If you are looking for a good, hilarious time than you need no apply or look any further than Class Mom. Jen is my hero. Who knew that Class Mom held the distinguished title of "Nazi". Hail Hitler! Oh my bad, it might have been the title of "Pope". An easy mistake; especially when Jen is talking about "pressing some flesh, kissing babies, and world peace".

I don't have any children other than the four legged variety. Yet, after reading this book I am considering volunteering at one of my local schools to be "class mom". The best parts about this book were the emails that Jen sent out to the parents instructing them on all of Jen's rules. Heaven forbid you did not respond fast enough, you would be assigned a task that could include bringing something to a school function, the last time slot on Friday for parent/teacher conference, or as a chaperone on a field trip. 

Although, Jen was not the only star in this book. There is Garth, the personal trainer, Don the sexy fox, Peetsa (pronounced Pizza), Asami, rival class mom, Ms. Ward, Max's teacher, and Sasha Lewicki, the mysterious. Laurie Gelman scores an perfect A+ with Class Mom! 

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