Class Mom (Gelman)

Class Mom 
Laurie Gelman, 2017
Henry Holt & Co.
304 pp.
ISBN-13: 9781250124692


Summary
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, Class Mom 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.(From the publisher.)

Author Bio
• Birth—April 4, 1964
• Where—Canada
• Education—B.S., Ryerson University (Toronto)
• Currently—lives in New York, New York, USA


Laurie Hibberd Gelman is a Canadian television personality and entertainment news reporter. Her debut novel, Class Mom, was published in 2017. Gelman is married to Michael Gelman (executive producer of Live with Kelly and Ryan); they have two children.

Gelman graduated from Ryerson University in Toronto with a bachelor's degree in journalism. Her first job in broadcasting, from 1987-1992, was as a traffic reporter, news writer, entertainment reporter and host on CKFM in Toronto. During that time, (the late 80s and early 90s), she also served as a host on YTV for Rocks and Rock'n'Talk.

Then, from 1992-1994, she became an entertainment reporter for WSVN-TV in Miami, Florida. For the next two years, from 1994-1996, she co-hosted, along with Tom Bergeron, the FX cable network's morning show, Breakfast Time.

Later, in 2007, Gelman worked on two Canadian-based talk shows, The Mom Show and Doctor in the House. She has also appeared on Good Morning America and Good Morning America Sunday. (Adapted from Wikipedia. Retrieved 9/10/2017.)

Book Reviews
Class Mom exposes the underside of room parenting…. [But] Gelman's novel gives readers a lot to laugh about, including some very, very funny emails.… In the end, it's impossible not to root for Jen as a fellow foot soldier in the guerrilla war against so-called perfect mothers.
Katherine Heiny - New York Times Book Review


Irreverent and hilarious.
New York Post


Jen Dixon, a mom with two college-age daughters (been there, done that) brings zest, impatience and irreverence to her role as kindergarten mom for her 5-year-old son.
Columbus Dispatch


Don’t miss this hilarious send-up of parental politics (a Best New Books).
People


[A] funny, charming debut novel.… With its appealing tone and a sweet mystery at its core, Class Mom offers up refreshingly likable characters in relatably goofy situations.
Good Housekeeping


Jen's first-person narration is sassy yet vulnerable as she faces motherhood with panache and her midlife crisis with uncertainty. Her e-mails to the other parents will elicit cackles of glee. Class Mom provides mom-raderie to those who still feel 20 but aren't.
Shelf Awareness


Class Mom is wicked fun. I will forever have a secret smile at school drop off having read this book. Thank you, Laurie Gelman, for this well-written, deviously funny viewpoint on motherhood today.
Katie Brown - Lifestyle TV


In Class Mom, Laurie Gelman's titular character is the perfect class mom's alter ego, with wit and just enough snark to make it a really fun read.
Victoria Rose, Publisher - Us Weekly


Warning: Do not read Class Mom in the quiet car on the train because you will LOL! (Sorry, not sorry, fellow commuters.) Laurie Gelman’s HI-larious debut novel is a must-read for anyone with small people at home!
Meaghan Murphy, Executive Editor - Good Housekeeping


When Jen Dixon is asked by her best friend…to be kindergarten class mom…, she begrudgingly agrees. With her first email, full of snark, wit, and charm, Jen sets the stage for how things will be in Miss Ward's class. Moms, trying to hold back tears of laughter, will relate.
Library Journal


Gelman’s debut draws a delightfully snarky character in Jen Dixon, kindergarten-class mom and purveyor of jaw-dropping but spot-on class updates.… Snappy dialogue and quick pacing make this a fast and fun read…fans of Jen Lancaster and Maria Semple will love meeting Jen Dixon.
Booklist


Miss Ward's Kansas City kindergarten class has a room parent with major attitude.… Gelman's debut is a literary stand-up routine, and you might as well just give in: this woman is going to get a laugh out of you.
Kirkus Reviews

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