Jackson Jones and Mission Greentop [Hardcover]

Mary Quattlebaum (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: Jackson Jones

Basketball-loving Jackson Jones never wanted any part of Rooter’s, the community garden where his mother got him his very own plot for his 10th birthday. But he made the best of it, even planting a thorny rosebush. Now, after months of watering, weeding, and waiting, red roses have finally bloomed. So when Jackson learns that big city developers want to bulldoze Rooter’s, he can’t believe it. The garden means something to him, and he likes hanging out with the neighbors who tend their own plots. But what can Jackson do?

With unasked-for help from well-meaning friends—and going to great lengths to avoid a fearsome bully who loves to taunt him—Jackson sets out to save Rooter’s. But coming up with a winning strategy isn’t so easy.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-5–Jackson Jones is back with the same authentic voice and enthusiasm for life, but this time he's up to his elbows in dirt. His mother, concerned that he is too much of a city boy, gives him a plot in the community garden for his 10th birthday. While he digs, sows, waters, and waits, his crop is mostly weeds except for "the unspeakable Z," zucchini. Meanwhile, he has problems with the school bully and he uses his brains, rather than his nonexistent brawn, to defeat the business group that wants to develop the site. Things may be resolved a little too quickly but there is a nice prickly punishment for the bully and the garden survives the corporate takeover. Jackson's way of looking at life is original and appealing–"Other kids have brothers, sisters, pets; I live with a six-foot ficus."–Edith Ching, St. Albans School, Mt. St. Alban, Washington, DC
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From the Inside Flap

Basketball-loving Jackson Jones never wanted any part of Rooter's, the community garden where his mother got him his very own plot for his 10th birthday. But he made the best of it, even planting a thorny rosebush. Now, after months of watering, weeding, and waiting, red roses have finally bloomed. So when Jackson learns that big city developers want to bulldoze Rooter's, he can't believe it. The garden means something to him, and he likes hanging out with the neighbors who tend their own plots. But what can Jackson do?

With unasked-for help from well-meaning friends—and going to great lengths to avoid a fearsome bully who loves to taunt him—Jackson sets out to save Rooter's. But coming up with a winning strategy isn't so easy.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 112 pages
• Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers (August 10, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385731140
• ISBN-13: 978-0385731140
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,289,489 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Mary Quattlebaum is an award-winning children's book author. Her new picture book Pirate vs. Pirate is a "rip-roaring pirate yarn" (Booklist) about two buccaneers--a guy and a girl--who both want to be the biggest, baddest pirate in the world. School Library Journal gave it a "four-arrrrr! rating."

Pirate vs. Pirate was inspired by Mary's husband, who asked for a pirate book so he could dress up like a pirate at book events. Mary actually is amazed at the number of kids (and adults) who, like her husband, want to dress up like pirates and shout "arrrr" along with the characters in the book.

Some of Mary's other titles include Winter Friends (starred review, Publishers Weekly), a book of poems based on her snowy city neighborhood, and Sparks Fly High (starred review, Kirkus), her retelling of a Colonial American folktale. Mary's humorous Jackson Jones chapter-book series features a city boy and his adventures in a community garden. The first book, Jackson Jones and the Puddle of Thorns, was called "fast-paced and funny" (Booklist). The latest title, Jackson Jones and the Curse of the Outlaw Rose, is a "unique mystery" (School Library Journal) about a haunted, historical rosebush.

Mary is eagerly awaiting two soon-to-be-published picture books. The Hungry Ghost of Rue Orleans is about a playful ghost who haunts a New Orleans restaurant. Jo MacDonald Saw a Pond was inspired by the pond and wild critters of Mary's country childhood.

When she is not writing, Mary likes to garden, read, walk the family dogs, play the harmonica (badly), juggle (very badly), and eat popcorn (noisily).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book I've read this summer!, September 4, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Jackson Jones and Mission Greentop (Hardcover)

I am eleven years old and "Jackson Jones and Mission Greentop" was the best book I read this summer! I like the part when Jackson finally got Blood Green, the bully. I also like the part when Jackson goes down to the company to talk with the boss! The most interesting thing was when I found out who the boss was....

John
Mechanicsville, Virginia

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kudos for this book, October 3, 2006

By 

Hey, Teach! An Elementary School Teacher. (Midland, MI, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jackson Jones and Mission Greentop (Paperback)

This book made the 2005 National Council for the Social Studies Notable Trade Book for Young People List. This bibliography is in cooperation with the Children's Book Council. Books that make this list emphasize human relations, diversity, cultural experiences, or they present an original theme or a fresh slant on a traditional topic.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jackson Jones and Mission Greentop, October 16, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Jackson Jones and Mission Greentop (Hardcover)

Jackson loves basketball! He wants to play basketball all summer, although he can't. His mother got him a plot in a garden. He works with his plants there. He doesn't like it. He starts working there so much he gradually comes to like it. Then he gets a phone call telling him the garden is going to be plowed up. Jackson wants to prevent it. Will he? The reader will be very surprised by what he does. I liked this book very much! I hope Ms. Quattlebaum writes a sequel to this book!

Delmar
9 years old
Washington,DC