Jack on the Tracks: Four Seasons of Fifth Grade (Jack Henry Adventures) [Paperback]

Jack Gantos (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up | Series: Jack Henry Adventures

A prequel to Heads or Tails: Stories from the Sixth Grade

Inspired by the author's childhood diaries, this new collection of Jack Henry stories depicts a fifth-grade year to end all fifth-grade years. Living in a Miami rental home with a busy railroad track running a stone's throw from the backyard, the author's alter ego is plagued by a know-it-all older sister, a bizarre Francophile teacher, a series of crazed cats, a slightly off-kilter father, a tapeworm, and a pair of escaped convicts -- to name just a few of his antagonists. But for Jack Henry, hailed by School Library Journal as "an 'everyboy' whose world may be wacko but whose heart and spirit are eminently sane," no matter how rough the ride, there is always light at the end of the tunnel.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Gantos draws inspiration from his own childhood diaries in the fourth collection of stories about Jack Henry. In these nine tales, his aggravations include his annoying older sister, some crazy cats, a tapeworm and a pair of escaped convicts. Ages 10-up. (Sept.)n

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6-This fourth book in a series of loosely knit autobiographical stories featuring Gantos's alter ego, Jack Henry, is a prequel to Heads or Tails (Farrar, 1994). Once again, the boy's peripatetic family has moved, this time from North Carolina to Miami. While the geographical location is different, much remains the same in Jack's life: an unbearable older sister and pesky younger brother, his love and admiration for his Dad, chronic problems with pets, and encounters with a number of unusual characters. But what most defines the boy is his absolute captivation with anything disgusting. Indeed, the short story he composes for school about his friend's tapeworm makes Thomas Rockwell's How to Eat Fried Worms (Yearling, 1953) seem like a picnic. But, even with his irresistible fascination with the gross and the weird, Jack is a likable and appealing fifth grader. His first-person preadolescent musings and worries are poignant, funny, and real. While his generous imagination may take him to extremes, his intentions are good; he strives to do the right thing, although circumstances seem invariably to get in the way of the intended outcome. These nine stories range from the macabre to the hilarious and from the surreal to the quirky. They will touch a familiar chord with readers who are struggling to figure out a world that seems complex and confusing.
Connie Tyrrell Burns, Mahoney Middle School, South Portland, ME
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) (August 30, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0374437173
• ISBN-13: 978-0374437176
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #232,114 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #31 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Issues > Moving

More About the Author

Jack Gantos has written novels for adults, young adults, and middle grade readers, as well as over twenty books for primary readers, including twelve titles chronicling the misadventures of Rotten Ralph. He lives in Santa Fe, NM.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Even kids who hate books will beg for more of this, April 15, 2003

By 

Julie Jensen (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jack on the Tracks: Four Seasons of Fifth Grade (Jack Henry Adventures) (Paperback)

If you know a reluctant reader in the 10-12 year old age bracket, this is the perfect title to change their mind about books. As a teacher, I've watched sixth grade boys (girls too!) snort and literally fall out of their chairs in fits of laughter over this one--for some it is the first book they have truthfully read cover to cover. No skimming. No fake reading. Pure enjoyment. Comprehension shoots up dramatically for these kids. They can't wait to meet to talk about Jack. They'll gladly reread their favorite misadventure to a friend--and with new found fluency. You can't imagine how wonderful it is to see your weaker readers standing in line for lunch saying, "Did you get to the part yet where . . . That book is SO funny!" Jack is their hero, living out their secret fantasy, when he drops a cockroach in the mouth of his sleeping sister.

Having said that, I feel I must address the concerns of the other educators who have written reviews here. Yes, Jack pulls a few stunts that might raise an eyebrow. He may not be a top-notch role model, but this is why children love him. He has a Bart Simpson type appeal-- slightly deviant, but lovable, and he often DOES suffer from the consequences of his poor judgement. Teachers who feel this is inappropriate because a child might immitate these episodes are not living in the same world as their students. This book is like an installment of the Wonderful World of Disney compared to the video games, movies, magazines, and regular television most children are entertained by for hour upon hour. You can't sanitize everything for children--what a pleasure killer. And I have NEVER met a twelve year old child who thought it would be safe to lie down in front of a train. Sit down and ask one if you are not sure. Reading should be fun--children do not have the same taste in books as their middle-aged, well-intentioned teachers.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Jump Back Jack!, April 6, 2009

By 

5th Grade Teacher (Cincinnati, OH) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jack on the Tracks: Four Seasons of Fifth Grade (Jack Henry Adventures) (Paperback)

I am a 5th grade teacher. I ordered Jack on the Tracks for my class. I have just wasted my money. I cannot use these books in my classroom. I was reviewing through this book before using it in class, when I saw the chapter entitled "Adults Only." I could NOT believe that an author would put in a ten and eleven year old book the topics of PORNO and STRIPTEASE! Not to mention a lot of other inappropriate parts in the book.

I am thinking of starting a bonfire now!

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Funny and Thoughtful, March 5, 2001

By 

Jamal Traub (Tennessee) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jack on the Tracks: Four Seasons of Fifth Grade (Jack Henry Adventures) (Hardcover)

I enjoyed Jack on the Tracks. As always, Gantos creates a fun mix of humor and tragedy (read Jack's Black Book, the best in the series). To address one reviewer's comments: yes, Jack does accidentally kill his cats often. However, the book's approach isn't heartless. I recall Jack tried very hard not to cry in front of his family at the death of his pet. Writing about the death of household pets isn't neccesarily cruel. I don't think Gantos meant to include the subject matter as comedial; he probably found it realistic. How often does a pet-owner lose his pets to accidents? Probably not as often as Jack, but you see my point.

That said, read the book.