This is a laugh out loud book from the brilliant mind of Dav Pilkey. He takes up important issues in comical ways, including censorship, failure, imposter syndrome, creativity, and inspiration. Pilkey excels at showing the double standard that adults impose on young people where reading has to be educational and moral for young people, but can be entertainment for adults. He doesn’t shy away from topics like poop, murder, and apocalypse in the comics found in the frame story. 

This book is a standout example of personal essay used as self-help. JP writes with critical reflection, honesty, and wit that culminates in vulnerable moments of clarity and relevance for readers. When someone asks for a self-help recommendation, this would be a great book that prompts reader reflection without falling into the traps of the self-help genre or sounding preachy.