Jack Tumor [Hardcover]

Anthony McGowan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 27, 2009

Hector is being hectored by an unlikely bully: a talking brain tumor. And it’s not just a talking brain tumor. It’s a know-it-all, pain-in-the-arse, jibber-jabbering brain tumor that names itself Jack, and insists on coaching Hector through life even as it’s threatening to take his life away. It’s a pretty good coach, actually. With Jack in control of Hector’s speech and brain chemicals, Hector suddenly finds himself with a cool haircut, a new fashion sense, and tactics for snogging previously unattainable hottie Uma Upshaw. But when Jack begins to force increasingly questionable decisions and behavior, Hector has to find a way to turn the tables – before it’s too late for both of them.

Delightfully twisted, desperately funny, and deeply moving, this novel is also the winner of the Booktrust Teenage Prize in the United Kingdom.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Hector confronts both his hormones and his mortality with wisdom.” —Starred, Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“McGowan laces plenty of pratfalls, Brit-slang, libidinous adolescent chatter, and stock comic supporting characters into his tale, but centers it around a protagonist (or two, depending on how one counts) so intelligent, vulnerable, and generally decent that readers will be won over.” —Booklist

“Lots of laughs.” —Kirkus Reviews

“The love-hate relationship between Hector and his alter ego is engaging.” —School Library Journal

“McGowan injects plenty of humor.” —Publishers Weekly

"The most interesting part of the book is definitely the character, Jack Tumor . . . The boy and brain tumor conversations make you keep on reading."—A YALSA YA Galley Teen Reader

"This book is funny."—A YALSA YA Galley Teen Reader

About the Author

ANTHONY MCGOWAN has written books for children, teens, and adults. His previous young adult novel, Hellbent, was declared “a brilliantly nauseating thriller” by the London Times. He lives in North London.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR); First Edition edition (April 27, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0374329559
• ISBN-13: 978-0374329556
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,818,545 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Anthony McGowan is one of the most widely acclaimed young-adult authors in the UK. His books have won several major awards, and been shortlisted for many more. He has also written highly regarded adult fiction, as well as books for younger readers. He has a PhD on the history of beauty, and has taught philosophy and creative writing. He lives in London with his wife and two children.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My son loved this book!!, December 18, 2009

By 

shopper1234 (TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jack Tumor (Hardcover)

My 13 year old son is an avid reader, and he was laughing out loud reading this book. He liked it so much that he is giving it as a Christmas gift to several of his other 8th grade friends. A memorable read!

3.0 out of 5 stars help me please, August 24, 2010

By 

M. Miller (Louisville, KY) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Jack Tumor (Hardcover)

I have to make a bag using items from the book. I am going to use a nerdy guy, a hot girl, a bowl of bean soup, an ugly tumor. Any suggestions??? I need six images to put on my bag. This is a teachers LAME assignment. Your suggestions would be a real help. The book was ok I did not like the British slang as it made it hard to read. The story was good though. It made me wonder what a tumor would change on me.

4.0 out of 5 stars Courtesy of Teens Read Too, January 14, 2010

By 

TeensReadToo "Eat. Drink. Read. Be Merrier." (All Over the US & Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jack Tumor (Hardcover)

Hector Brunty has a lot in life to worry about. From bullies to his mum's mung bean soup, life seems to like to throw him nasty curves until it finally takes on a new perspective (literally). When Hector gets diagnosed with a brain tumor, things seem like they couldn't get worse - until the tumor starts talking.

The tumor claims it can coach Hector into creating a better social life for himself. The tumor, however, starts forcing him to do questionable things that make him uncomfortable. This makes Hector decide once and for all to rid himself somehow of the cancer. But how can you defeat a tumor that knows what you're going to do before you do?

JACK TUMOR is a surprisingly hilarious book despite the sensitive topic it addresses. The characters are fun to read about and Hector's social life has a humorous twist to it. Readers will relate to Hector's embarrassing family, his school life, and might even feel bad for him at times, but will have fun laughing their heads off one page and then feeling discouraged for the main character the next.

Those who like realistic fiction, humor, and books about surviving school will enjoy reading this book.

Reviewed by: Kira M