My Life as a Meme

Derek is a tween navigating life and the social playground that is the internet. And he loves making memes! His mom is a veterinarian who was hired to care for a rich client’s dog, Poufy. Poufy is an Instagram-famous Pomeranian who is a little bit of a Diva. When Derek’s family arrives at Poufy’s house in Malibu, they are greeted with a big binder of instructions on how to care for the dog. Derek has brought his friends Matt, Carly, and Umberto to Malibu with his family. Even with all these people, the task of tending to Poufy falls on Derek, which frustrates him.  

Soon after their arrival, a fire breaks out in Malibu, forcing Derek and his crew to head to an evacuation center, where Poufy is a star! The famous Pomeranian helps take people’s minds off the fire that is sweeping Malibu. But then Derek finds himself on the other side of an embarrassing meme when a picture is taken of him with Poufy on his lap. Because Poufy is so well-known, the meme spreads quickly. When Derek returns to school, he decides to confront the creator of the hurtful meme, Brian. 

Derek exhibits significant character development as his worldview expands. He learns the importance of communication and learning people’s stories and perspectives. This is shown in his conversations with Brian and Poufy’s owner, Darcy. She is so high maintenance with Poufy because her last Pomeranian was hit by a car and killed. Brian learns that most people have reasons behind their actions, even though he may not understand their reasoning. This character arc teaches not to make assumptions and snap judgments. Readers will likely relate to Derek as he navigates the internet and potential cyberbullying. His story shows the impact that even one meme can have on someone’s life.  

The book is great for reluctant readers because it’s written in oversized text with humorous cartoon-style doodles around the edges of the pages. Even though a wildfire is presented, it is used as a tool to move the story along and get Derek and his friends to the evacuation center. Although it is a fun read, the narrative jumps around and has a strangely paced structure, which makes the moral of the story confusing. Although My Life as a Meme is part of the My Life Series, it can be read as a standalone. 

My Life as a Meme has a relatable protagonist and other quirky characters that will appeal to middle-grade readers. Since the book delves into the world of social media and internet fame, it will have a broad appeal. In addition, the book offers several positive life lessons, including how online behavior can impact real-life situations. Janet Tashijan employs metaphors to reinforce themes about the rapid dissemination of information on the internet. For example, the motif of things “spreading” is prevalent throughout the novel, as seen in examples such as fire, memes, and lice. My Life as a Meme is a quick and enjoyable read that prompts readers to consider the perspectives of others.   

Sexual Content 

• None

Violence 

• Darcy explains how she lost her last dog. “I had a Pomeranian as a kid, Fluffy. She never liked to fetch but I kept trying to train her. I threw her a tennis ball, and she ended up getting hit by a car”.  

Drugs and Alcohol 

• None 

Language 

• None 

Supernatural 

• None 

Spiritual 

• While the fire is sweeping through Malibu, Derek’s mom prays. Derek thinks, “It’s not often Mom talks about praying, so the seriousness of the situation definitely sinks in.”