Reach for the Skai – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Reach for the Skai

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2019

77%

WISE Score

4.8

Amazon

From Disney star to 'clapback' queen, Skai Jackson gives the blueprint for surviving middle school and the internet without losing your cool.

Reach for the Skai

book

2019

77%

WISE Score

4.8

Amazon

From Disney star to 'clapback' queen, Skai Jackson gives the blueprint for surviving middle school and the internet without losing your cool.

4.8

Jump to

Also rated on

4.8

View →

Where to Read

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Libby

Our reviews and ratings are 100% unbiased, but as an Amazon Associate, Screenwise earns an affiliate fee if you buy a book or game by clicking one of our links. We don't get any credit if you just Google it instead :)

Screenwise Verdict

Look, celebrity memoirs for tweens can often feel like a giant PR exercise, but Skai Jackson actually has some skin in the game when it comes to digital resilience.

She was a meme before she was an adult, and she handled it with more grace than most 40-year-olds. If your kid is starting to navigate social media or feeling the weight of middle school 'mean girl' energy, this is a solid, safe, and actually helpful read. It’s not 'fine literature,' but it’s a lot better than most of the brain rot they’re scrolling through on their feeds.

Age Fit

Perfect for the 9-13 crowd, especially those who grew up watching her on Disney or are starting to get curious about the influencer lifestyle.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

It’s a classic 'believe in yourself' narrative that avoids the messy pitfalls of many child star stories. Skai focuses on self-acceptance and resilience rather than just the glitz of Disney.

Imaginative

It's a memoir, so it’s grounded in the real world. While it encourages kids to dream big, it doesn't exactly stretch the creative muscles like fiction would.

Safe

Published by a major children's imprint with clear middle-grade boundaries. It deals with bullying and insecurities, but in a productive, safe-for-work way.

Enriching

Provides actual perspective on digital citizenship and handling online negativity—a vital skill for any kid with a phone in 2026.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Offers a rare, grounded look at what it's actually like to be a child actor in the social media age.
The 'clapback' advice is surprisingly practical for kids dealing with digital drama.
Focuses heavily on girl empowerment and finding confidence when you feel like an underdog.
Very readable—it’s written in a vibrant, fast-paced style that won't feel like 'homework' for a 5th grader.

⚠

What to Watch For

The concept of 'clapping back' can sometimes lean into sassiness that parents might find a bit much depending on their household vibe.
It mentions specific bullying experiences that might be a bit of a downer for very sensitive younger readers.

Conversation Starters

"Skai talks about 'clapping back'—when is it better to stand up for yourself versus just hitting the block button?"
"If you had a million followers tomorrow, what’s the first thing you’d want to say to them?"
"Which of Skai's insecurities felt the most like something you or your friends have felt?"
"Do you think being famous as a kid makes it harder or easier to make 'real' friends?"

Ask Anything

Get a personalized guide on any topic

Writing about Reach for the Skai? Put this WISE score on your site