Klutz is a harmless, breezy relic from 1994 that still works because the fear of being 'the kid in the cast' is eternal. It’s not a life-changing masterpiece, but it’s a reliable 'found-it-at-the-library' read for kids who like realistic stories about everyday screw-ups.

While it definitely feels like it was written in a different century (because it was), the central tension—trying to survive a summer unscathed to avoid a social penalty—is a great hook. It’s a 70-page sprint that doesn't demand much but delivers a few genuine laughs.