What’s the book about?
Welcome to the group chat! It’s called Cringe Club because, as you might have guessed, it contains a cringe binge of EPIC proportions.
My name is Kennedy King and I have been FORCED to move to London by The Mother. I have just started Hellington High School (aka HELL HIGH). The only GOOD thing about moving is that The Mother has finally agreed to let me have my own phone (guilt present) so I can stay in touch with my best friends. Enter at your own risk (of cringe) and remember . . . what is said in Cringe Club, STAYS in Cringe Club.
- Features themes of fitting in and making friends, starting a new school and (most importantly) embracing your cringe!
- For readers aged 8+ with illustrations throughout
- Perfect for fans of Lottie Brooks and Dork Diaries
Recommended for:
Ages 9+
Three reasons to read it:
- Cringe Club is written like a group chat, so it feels super real. Every scene is told through messages, emojis and little screenshots of Kennedy King’s group chat. This makes it feel like you are right there in the middle of the action with her and her friends. You get all the fun chaos of a real conversation, including jokes, pranks and gossip. It’s a reading experience that feels fresh, fun and very familiar to anyone who uses a phone.
- Clark has worked as a comedy writer and has won awards for her books. Her experience in comedy shows in every page of the book. The jokes are sharp, smart and full of clever humour that’ll appeal to all types of readers. You can enjoy every cringe moment knowing that it’s been crafted by someone who really understands funny.
- Wotto’s illustrations add an extra layer of fun to the story. The book is full of quirky drawings that bring Kennedy, her friends and their cringe moments to life. For readers aged 8 and up, the mix of text and illustrations makes it easier to read, keeps the pace fast, and makes the experience feel interactive and playful.
Buy a copy of Cringe Club here.
About the author:
Emily-Jane Clark is the author of The Beasts of Knobbly Bottom which was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize in 2024. She writes for television and her work has been featured on The Mash Report, The Jonathan Ross Show, BBC and Mock the Week. When she’s not writing, she teaches drama to primary school children.
Craig Watkins is a freelance illustrator who specialises in character design and unique branding. Known professionally as ‘wotto’, a name coined by a fellow artist that quickly became his creative identity, Craig brings a distinctive and playful style to his work. After graduating with a BA in Illustration and Design in 2000, he began his freelance career and has since collaborated with a wide range of clients, from global industry leaders to small independent brands. This diverse experience has shaped his open, inclusive approach to design and his ability to create work that connects with audiences of all kinds.
Cringe Club by Emily-Jane Clark, illustrated by Wotto, is a must-read for several compelling reasons. First, it captures the hilarity and awkwardness of everyday life, making it instantly relatable to readers of all ages who enjoy humor rooted in real experiences. Second, the combination of Emily-Jane Clark’s witty storytelling and Wotto’s expressive illustrations brings the characters and scenarios to life, creating a visually engaging and entertaining reading experience. Finally, the book encourages self-reflection and empathy, showing that everyone experiences embarrassing moments, and that these “cringey” situations are a natural, even endearing part of growing up.
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