226 p. Roaring Brook Press, September, 2013. 9781596438361. (Purchased)
Middle schooler Jack Strong is one busy fellow. He works hard to get decent grades, but that's not enough for his dad or his college resume. So his after-school and weekend hours are filled with activities that are meant to "round" Jack out and make him more interesting until he finds his "thing." He likes cello and baseball enough but can do without Chinese school, swimming and karate. After a week in which he's unable to attend a party, get free ice cream with the most popular girl in school and grab pizza with his team after hitting the game-winning RBI, Jack decides to go on strike. He sits down on the couch and refuses to get up, except to eat and go to the bathroom, until his parents allow him to drop the activities he doesn't enjoy. His grandmother is supportive, his dad refuses to negotiate and his mom is stuck in the middle. After a piece about his strike hits the high school newspaper, a local t.v. host picks it up and events begin to spiral out of control.
While this very well could've been an "issue" book, in Tommy Greenwald's able hands, it's thoughtfully humorous. And, after three wonderful books featuring my favorite non-reader, it's nice to see Greenwald explore other characters and themes. So spread your author-wings Tommy Greenwald, we librarians need more of your books to make our young patrons happy!
Jack Strong is just about as far away from Charlie Joe Jackson as the north pole is from the south pole. Jack enjoys school, he attends all of the activities his father arranges rather agreeably until he gets tired and wants some time to chill out and do nothing once in a while. Indeed, during his time on the couch, he quickly learns that even video games can become boring. But he and his father share a stubborn streak and the two become entrenched.
Greenwald maintains a light touch with all this drama and there are quite a few laugh-out-loud moments. His characters sound like middle school students. Plentiful spot art enliven the action. Jack's dilemma will resonate with over-scheduled readers and reluctant readers alike.
Jack Strong Takes a Stand is a must-purchase for school and public libraries and is a 2013 favorite of mine.
No comments:
Post a Comment