Synopses & Reviews
From the Newbery Medal-winning author of Dead End in Norvelt, the uproarious final volume of Jack Henry stories
According to his new motto—A WRITERS JOB IS TO TURN HIS WORST EXPERIENCES INTO MONEY—Jack Gantoss alter ego 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. For instance, in the course of the few months covered in this closing 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 thats not the half of it!
At the close of this final book of semi-autobiographical stories, Jack may not end up rolling in dough, but he will prove once again “a survivor, an ‘everyboy whose world may be wacko but whose heart and spirit are eminently sane” (School Library Journal).
Review
"Gantos's thrid book about Jack Henry continues the wacky adventures of 13-year-old Jack...The narrative sparkels with wit and ...rings with the authenticity of adolescent humor, embarrassment, and fascination with the absolutely gross...Zany characters, good pacing, lots of humor, and a touch of romance make this a quick, fun read." -
School Library Journal "Back in Florida, Jack decides that becoming a writer will allow him to turn his worst experiences, and he has many, into money. Based on Gantos's own trials and tribulations growing up in Barbados and Florida, the narrative sparkles with wit. . .Zany characters, good pacing, lots of humor, and a touch of romance make this a quick, fun read." --School Library Journal
"Enough descriptive disaster to satisfy youngsters looking for a gross-out...good solid writing; and a bizarre plot that even reluctant adults can't help but appreciate." - The Horn Book
Review
“These are the unsaid things that go on inside kids brains.” —Rosie, age 11
“Twisted, revolting, and hilarious.” —Randy Powell, author of Is Kissing a Girl Who Smokes Like Licking an Ashtray?
“I suggest you read this book.” —Tristan, age 14
“The narrative sparkles with wit and . . . rings with the authenticity of adolescent humor, embarrassment, and fascination with the absolutely gross . . . Zany characters, good pacing, lots of humor, and a touch of romance make this a quick, fun read.” —School Library Journal
“Enough descriptive disaster to satisfy youngsters looking for a gross-out . . . Good solid writing, and a bizarre plot that even reluctant adults can't help but appreciate.” —The Horn Book
Synopsis
From the Newbery Medal winning author of Dead End in Norvelt, the uproarious final volume of Jack Henry stories
According to his new motto A WRITER'S JOB IS TO TURN HIS WORST EXPERIENCES INTO MONEY Jack Gantos's alter ego 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. For instance, in the course of the few months covered in this closing 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
At the close of this final book of semi-autobiographical stories, Jack may not end up rolling in dough, but he will prove once again "a survivor, an everyboy' whose world may be wacko but whose heart and spirit are eminently sane" (School Library Journal).
This title has Common Core connections.
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Synopsis
Comic misadventures ensue when seventh-grader Jack tries to write the great American novel.
Synopsis
From the Newbery Medal-winning author of Dead End in Norvelt, the uproarious final volume of Jack Henry stories
About the Author
Jack Gantos has written books for people of all ages, from picture books and middle-grade fiction to novels for young adults and adults. His works include Hole in My Life, a memoir that won the Michael L. Printz and Robert F. Sibert Honors, Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key, a National Book Award Finalist, Joey Pigza Loses Control, a Newbery Honor book, and Dead End in Norvelt, winner of the Newbery Medal and the Scott ODell Award for Historical Fiction.
Jack was born in Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, and when he was seven, his family moved to Barbados. He attended British schools, where there was much emphasis on reading and writing, and teachers made learning a lot of fun. When the family moved to south Florida, he found his new classmates uninterested in their studies, and his teachers spent most of their time disciplining students. Jack retreated to an abandoned bookmobile (three flat tires and empty of books) parked out behind the sandy ball field, and read for most of the day. The seeds for Jacks writing career were planted in sixth grade, when he read his sisters diary and decided he could write better than she could. He begged his mother for a diary and began to collect anecdotes he overheard at school, mostly from standing outside the teachers lounge and listening to their lunchtime conversations. Later, he incorporated many of these anecdotes into stories.
While in college, he and an illustrator friend, Nicole Rubel, began working on picture books. After a series of well-deserved rejections, they published their first book, Rotten Ralph, in 1976. It was a success and the beginning of Jacks career as a professional writer. Jack continued to write childrens books and began to teach courses in childrens book writing and childrens literature. He developed the masters degree program in childrens book writing at Emerson College and the Vermont College M.F.A. program for childrens book writers. He now devotes his time to writing books and educational speaking. He lives with his family in Boston, Massachusetts.