Jack's Black Book (Jack Henry) [Hardcover]

Jack Gantos (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 30, 1997 | Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up | Series: Jack Henry

An uproarious companion to Heads or Tails and Jack's New Power

According to his new motto - A WRITER'S JOB IS TO TURN HIS WORST EXPERIENCES INTO MONEY - Jack Henry is going to be filty rich even before he gets out of junior high, for his life is filled with the worst experiences imaginable. In the course of the few months covered in this cycle of interlinked stories, Jack is humiliated by a gorgeous syncronized swimmer, gets a tattoo the size of an ant on his big toe, flubs an IQ test and nearly fails wood shop, and has to dig up his dead dog not once but twice. And that's not the half of it. But, as The School Library Journal put it, Jack's "a survivor, an 'everyboy' whose world may be wacko but whose heart and spirit are eminently sane." Jack may not end up rolling in dough, but he, along with his humorously off-kilter familly, always keeps on trying.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

At the end of seventh grade, Jack Henry decides to write a novel in this third collection of interlinked stories. Ages 10-up. (Sept.) r
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-7. Gantos's third book about Jack Henry (Heads or Tails [1994]; Jack's New Power [1995, both Farrar]) continues the wacky adventures of 13-year-old Jack in a series of three interlinked stories. Back in Florida, Jack decides that becoming a writer will allow him to turn his worst experiences, and he has many, into money. He flubs his IQ test, nearly flunks wood shop, almost gets a date with a beautiful girl, visits a fortune teller, digs up his dead dog not once but twice, and copes with members of an off-kilter family who constantly remind him of his stupidity. Through it all, Jack manages to barrel forward, self-esteem intact, with high expectations and crazy schemes. Based on Gantos's own trials and tribulations growing up in Barbados and Florida, the narrative sparkles with wit and, although exaggerated, rings with the authenticity of adolescent humor, embarrassment, and fascination with the absolutely gross. The dog coffin scenes, with maggots and rats, would no doubt sell the book to middle-grade boys. Zany characters, good pacing, lots of humor, and a touch of romance make this a quick, fun read.?Connie Tyrrell Burns, Mahoney Middle School, South Portland, ME
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR); 1st edition (August 30, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0374336628
• ISBN-13: 978-0374336622
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,679,978 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Maggie's Review, February 25, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Jack's Black Book: What Happens When You Flunk an IQ Test? (Jack Henry) (Jack Henry Adventures) (Paperback)

I had never read a book by Jack Gantos before. He came to my school as a visiting author, and I thought he was hysterical! He told us many stories about his life as a kid. Our school was selling books by him and I decided I would by this one. My brother also got a Rotten Ralph book. When I started reading this book I couldn't put it down. I finished this book in about two days. His books are really funny because I know that they are true, and they are what kids our age (10-13) like to laugh about. This book I thought was very hysterical and I think you should read it!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Teach Me!, September 7, 2002

By 

"lsm2102" (Clearwater, FL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jack's Black Book: What Happens When You Flunk an IQ Test? (Jack Henry) (Jack Henry Adventures) (Paperback)

I have read this book to my students (sixth grade) for two years now and each group has overwhelmingly loved it! They enjoy Jack's humor, his follies, and most of all his tell-all style of portraying the middle grade age.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Perseverance of Jack, February 3, 2000

By 

Moira (Florida State University) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jack's Black Book: What Happens When You Flunk an IQ Test? (Jack Henry) (Jack Henry Adventures) (Paperback)

A seventh-grade male, Jack, encounters many obstacles when he tries to succeed in school and write his own novel. Jack's family and teachers do not believe he can do well in anything that requires brains. Continually Jack tries to turn the tough situations he faces into material for an award-winning book. When Jack tries to meet a girl, you'll laugh, when he describes his moments with his silly dog, Beau-Beau III, you'll laugh harder, and when he meets an escaped convict, you'll laugh even harder and louder! This novel shows how Jack, although lonely, and without anyone's support, can still achieve his dreams.