Jake Drake: Know-It-All [Large Print] [Hardcover]

Andrew Clements (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2, 2002 | Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 2 and up

Meet fourth grader Jake Drake. He's been crazy about computers all his life. And so last year when the third-grade science fair was announced, Jake entered the contest hoping to win the grand prize -- a supercool superfast Bluntium Twelve computer. The only problem is that he has to beat the class know-it-alls to do it.

Included in Juvenile 10.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 2-4-Fourth-grader Jake Drake looks back on his third-grade science-fair project. Sure, he learned a lot about electromagnets, but he learned even more about the pitfalls of being a know-it-all. It all started when his principal announced the school's first-ever science fair. The plot thickened when a local businessman announced that a computer would be the grand prize. A self-described computer nut, Jake refused to work with his best friend because he didn't want to share the prize. Finally, it came to him that his single-mindedness was turning him into a person he didn't like, and his project wasn't fun. Even though he and his partner took second prize, and thus no computer, Jake valued the experience. He sounds like a regular fourth grader as he describes his teachers and classmates. But he also digs deep to reveal the character-building lessons in everyday events. Full-page, black-and-white drawings show the competitive classmates as they work toward winning the great prize. A cut above the usual beginning chapter book because of its depth, this realistic plot and Jake's personality will seal the deal with transitional readers.

Pat Leach, Lincoln City Libraries, NE

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 3-5. From the ripe perspective of fourth grade, Jake recalls a third-grade science fair contest in which he competed to win a new, flashy computer and free Internet service. The contest puts Jake in direct competition with class "know-it-alls" Marsha and Kevin. Obsessed by the prize, Jake shrugs off friend Willie and becomes as mean and sneaky as Marsha and Kevin. When that realization strikes, Jake wants to quit, but instead he hooks up with Willie and learns, "when you have a partner to work with, and it's a good partner, everything is more fun." The contest results are surprising and satisfying. Each chapter has one full-page pen-and-ink sketch to break the text, but the art adds little character. Clements portrays a common, annoying classroom situation, resolves it in an upbeat way, and inserts a little practical advice. Jake's direct informal narration will engage chapter- book readers who will relate to his predicaments. Linda Perkins
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Hardcover: 76 pages
• Publisher: Thorndike Press; 1 edition (April 2, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 078624139X
• ISBN-13: 978-0786241392
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,172,225 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Most of my characters are fairly normal people who are dealing with the basics of everyday life--getting along with others, finding a place in the world, discovering talents, overcoming challenges, trying to have some wholesome fun along the way, and getting into some scrapes and a little mischief now and then, too. I guess I hope my readers will be able to see bits and pieces of themselves in the stories, particularly the novels that take place in and around school. School is a rich setting because schools and education are at the heart of every community. The stories that are set in school seem to resonate with kids, teachers, parents, librarians--readers of all ages. Everyone's life has been touched by school experiences. And I also hope, of course, that kids and others will enjoy reading, enjoy the use of language, enjoy my storytelling.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars educational - and funny!, November 8, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Jake Drake, Know-It-All #2 (Paperback)

My 3rd grade son just read this book and LOVED it. It introduced him to how a science fair works and taught him about the scientific method - observation, question, hypothesis, method, result, conclusion. However, this wasn't just a dull science story. The author uses a lot of humor and there were several underlying themes in the story.

Jake Drake really wants to win first prize (a Hyper-Cross-Functional Bluntium Twelve Computer System)at the science fair. To do so, he shuns his best friend who wants to be his partner on the project because Jake doesn't want to share the prize. When his friend decides to drop out of the contest because the class "know-it-alls" have been flaunting their projects and he knows he won't win, Jake realizes that he's not having fun working alone on his project and invites his friend to be his partner. Suddenly, the project becomes fun and winning doesn't seem to matter any more. The result...sorry, you'll have to read the book!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Jake Drake, January 9, 2003

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Jake Drake, Know-It-All #2 (Paperback)

I read the book Jake Drake Know-it all.
I thought that this book was a ok book .I think that the story line is a little bit young of a book for a kid my age it is more for kids from 6 to 8 years old that like science math and and computers and is a pretty good reader and speller. This book is about a kid that love's computer.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars We liked it!, March 6, 2008

By 

J. Myrup "Om Shiva" (Taos, NM) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jake Drake, Know-It-All (Paperback)

I read this one sitting with my 6 1/2 and 9 year old boys. The 4 year old sat through it, too. We homeschool so the whole business about school and school work and projects kept them thinking. There was interesting information about the scientific process, as well as discussion about feelings and issues in school, friendship and being connected rather than isolated. Good stuff. Keep in mind that it is for readers starting with chapter books, so it is meant to be on that level. It is good for what it is. We ordered the other books as well.