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.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Jack Gantos is the author of three other books featuring Jack Henry (see pages 42--43) and, most recently, of Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key, a National Book Award finalist. He lives in Boston, Massachusetts, with his wife and daughter.
Gantos trots out one disgusting and dangerous event after another to give his morose protagonist material for jokes, but the fun and games are edging over the top in this companion to Jack's New Power (1995). Jack wants to become a writer, but his familyunique but functioning in previous episodes and mere cartoons hereis united in a belief in his worthlessness. When the dog, BeauBeau III, breaks its neck and dies, Jack's sister, Betsy, is all wisecracks; on the trip to the vet, Jack's father suggests tying the dog to the car, like a dead deer, in case its bladder lets go (it's not the first time the dog's bodily functions are discussed). The parents are on vacation when Betsy, at home, sets a kitchen fire: ``We were screaming and laughing, but . . . we just managed to get the baby out [of the bassinet] before the blanket burst into flames.'' Away from home, the situation's no better: School is a former prison; the volunteer librarian bolts down books and accuses the boy of stealing; the cafeteria serves creamed chicken gizzards weekly. Crammed in are descriptions of digging up the dog Jack buries (twice), spit, broken teeth, head lumps, and more. With a mean-spirited reliance on shock and cheap laughs, the book gets some tacked-on introspection at the end: ``It was all about . . . what you wanted to become, and how much you love being yourself.'' (Fiction. 11-13) -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Shipping:
FREE
Within U.S.A.
Shipping:
US$ 4.25
Within U.S.A.
Seller: SecondSale, Montgomery, IL, U.S.A.
Condition: Good. Item in good condition. Textbooks may not include supplemental items i.e. CDs, access codes etc. Seller Inventory # 00053437843
Quantity: 2 available
Seller: BooksRun, Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Fair. First Edition. Ship within 24hrs. Satisfaction 100% guaranteed. APO/FPO addresses supported. Seller Inventory # 0374336628-7-1
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
Condition: Good. 1st. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # 3221449-75
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Irish Booksellers, Portland, ME, U.S.A.
Condition: Good. SHIPS FROM USA. Used books have different signs of use and do not include supplemental materials such as CDs, Dvds, Access Codes, charts or any other extra material. All used books might have various degrees of writing, highliting and wear and tear and possibly be an ex-library with the usual stickers and stamps. Dust Jackets are not guaranteed and when still present, they will have various degrees of tear and damage. All images are Stock Photos, not of the actual item. book. Seller Inventory # 18-0374336628-G
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: ThriftBooks-Dallas, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. Former library book; May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 0.7. Seller Inventory # G0374336628I4N10
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Drew, Hutchinson, KS, U.S.A.
Condition: VeryGood. Used library book looks hardly used. Has plastic dust jacket protector. Could have usual library markings. Seller Inventory # 58W000000KPB_ns
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Bookmarc's, Houston, TX, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. 2nd Printing. O4 - A 2nd printing hardcover book SIGNED and inscribed by author to previous owner on the half-title page in very good condition in very good dust jacket. Dust jacket and book have some bumped corners, light discoloration and shelf wear. A writer's job is to turn his worst experiences into money. 8.5"x5.75", 165 pages. Satisfaction Guaranteed. Size: 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. Signed by Author. Seller Inventory # ec45576
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: TuosistBook, Prescott Valley, AZ, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Fair. 1st Edition. Retired library copy (LIBRARY MARKINGS : (SEE SELLER IMAGES) : MYLAR COVER ON THE DUST COVER Moderate bumping to cover edges and spine : Solid tight binding : Interior clean and unmarked : Price tag on the cover : Accelerated Reader RL 4.8 Points 6.0. Seller Inventory # 61GNC35
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Irish Booksellers, Portland, ME, U.S.A.
Condition: Good. SHIPS FROM USA. Used books have different signs of use and do not include supplemental materials such as CDs, Dvds, Access Codes, charts or any other extra material. All used books might have various degrees of writing, highliting and wear and tear and possibly be an ex-library with the usual stickers and stamps. Dust Jackets are not guaranteed and when still present, they will have various degrees of tear and damage. All images are Stock Photos, not of the actual item. book. Seller Inventory # 0374336628-R
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: BYTOWN BOOKERY, Vars, ON, Canada
Hardcover. Condition: Near Fine. 1st Edition. Black hard covers with yellow titles to the spine. In Near fine condition, tight, bright and unmarked with light spine end bumping. The DJ is unclipped and in Near fine condition. "Comic misadventures ensue when seventh-grader Jack tries to write the great American novel. "; B&W Illustrations; 8.30 X 5.60 X 0.90 inches; 165 pages. Seller Inventory # 15242
Quantity: 1 available