Children’s Book Reviews- Being Jack
Review by Reading Tree
October 27, 2014
Bullying has become a hot topic for parents. It's a serious issue, but the best results I find are always where the kids find out a way to sort it out themselves in the playground. Being Jack gives primary-aged kids a few tools to do just that. It is also a lesson in resilience with a smidge of romance thrown in (much to the disgust of Mr 10!).
In other books in the series Jack has had to deal with a breakup, new stepfather and a wedding. He seems to getting along just fine when we meet him in Grade 6 in Being Jack,but as you know life can throw a few curve-balls. Fortunately Jack seems to be able to muddle his way through and teach us all a few lessons along the way.
As with all books for this age group, I road-tested it with one of my in-house reviewers that falls within the demographic!
The author, Susanne Gervay, has a rather sweet website if you are interested in more information on bullying and the series of books she produces.
Mr 10 writes:
If you are being bullied or have been bullied then this is the book for you. What I like about this book is that Jack is a thoughtful person and manages to get through everyday life. He used to get bullied regularly, but he got over that using his knowledge.
This book really gets into action when Jack goes to watch his school footy team play where he experiences some bad sportsmanship. He soon realises he can do a lot of things to help his friends and make the school ground a better place
I think this a good book for people who are having a hard time.
It also has a bit of romance, so be warned!
The Blurb from HarperCollins
The fourth and concluding book about Jack - an ordinary boy who does extraordinary things.
Jack is in Year 6 now and still loves his photography, surfing, and crazy family. Things are going well for him, particularly at school where he isn't bullied any more. But he notices that his best friend Christopher is being taunted and is starting to miss school and hiding out and avoiding everyone. And when a football match turns ugly and Jack and Christopher witness some unfair dirty play, they know that, again, the bullying has to stop.
Ages: 9+
Review by Lamont Books - Being Jack
By Susanne Gervay & Illustrated by Cathy Wilcox
Publisher: Harper Collins
ISBN
9780732296148
$14.99
Blurb:
The fourth and concluding book about Jack -an ordinary boy who does extraordinary things. Jack is in Year 6 now and still loves his photography, surfing, and crazy family. Things are going well for
him, particularly at school where he isn't bullied any more. But he notices that his best friend Christopher is being taunted and is starting to miss school and hiding out and avoiding everyone. And when a football match turns ugly and Jack and Christopher witness some unfair dirty play,
they know that, again, the bullying has to stop.
Lamont Review:
Jack is growing up and in this final instalment he is celebrating his 13th birthday. Although Jack isn’t being bullied anymore, it doesn’t mean that life is peaceful! Instead, this time Jack has to help his friend Christopher overcome bullying.
Jack also finds and visits his Dad, even though they have had no contact for years. And to top it off, he kisses his best friend, Anna. But mostly he is just living his everyday life and ‘Being Jack’.
It is a great independent story, but would be best appreciated by those that have read the
earlier books in the series.
Susanne Gervay has a way of making something special out of everyday situations.
Being Jack is recommended to those aged 10-13.
Reviewed by Rob
Lamont Books
Review by Happy Child
Families are a mix-master lot these days, with stepparents, grandparents, single mothers, blends of all sorts. Kids and families manage with fun and games, some wins, and some challenges.
The I Am Jack books take young people, parents and teachers into a real home, real neighbourhood and right through the school gates. Everyone feels in familiar territory as Susanne Gervay invites readers inside Jack's life. I Am Jack navigates bullying, blended families, literacy, the cyber world and the many challenges in life.
Relating to a story and being emotionally engaged with it can facilitate empathy, understanding, and open pathways to positive life choices. The I Am Jack stories permit readers to empathise with situations they may not have experienced; provide reassurance that other people experience the same problems; and open discussions with family.
Young people read differently to adults. They will read and re-read books they relate to, bookmark favourite sections and re-visit them again and again. Jack and his mix master community become fellow travellers with readers as they search for answers, question situations, develop critical thinking, and make choices.
The stories are inspired by her son, and her own mix-master family: a 'rough diamond' stepdad who blows up the barbecue, a waddling Nanna, a sister who loves dogs, a star-jumping Mum who's doing her best to manage, and then there's Jack.
Jack's your kid, friend, neighbour. He's the boy who plays soccer, football or surfs with your children. He tells terrible jokes like many dads, uncles, brothers, takes great photos, and helps his sister with her endless dog projects. Life shifts as Jack faces the hurly-burly of relationships, expectations, and family changes.
Confident readers will read the books alone. For reluctant readers, a parent reading aloud captures their attention and engenders excitement about the following chapters and story.
In a special Benefit for Room to Read which takes literacy to the children of the developing world, there will be a performance of 'I Am Jack' the play adapted & presented by Monkey Baa Theatre Company, followed by thelaunch of the book 'Being Jack'.Saturday 23rd August,5-7 p.mat Lend LeaseDarling Quarter Theatre opposite the Darling Quarter Children's playground in Darling Harbour. To book tickets visit or call 02 8624 9340.
Being Jack takes Jack from victim to victor, to being the kid who stands beside others.
Author, Aleesah Darlison's review in the Sun Herald states, "How does Gervay deal with so many issues in relatively short children's books? The answer is that she treads lightly. Jack is Gervay's vehicle for spreading words of wisdom but at no time does she preach. Eternally, Jack and his story remain wholly believable. Readers will not only empathise with Jack but love his sensitive introspection and his wisecracks designed to alternately entertain and annoy his family. "
This article was originally published in Get Ahead Kids Magazine and is reproduced with permission from the Editor.
*Susanne Gervay OAM is an educational consultant and acclaimed children's author. Her books have a strong social justice focus and facilitate discussion of these issues at home and in the classroom.
Review by The Book Chook
Posted: 18 Nov 2014 10:00 AM PST
Reviewed by Susan Stephenson,
BEING JACK - Reviews
Being Jack was written by Susanne Gervay, illustrated by Cathy Wilcox, and published by Harper Collins Australia, 2014.
From the publisher:
Jack is in Year 6 now and still loves his photography, surfing, and crazy family. Things are going well for him, particularly at school where he isn't bullied any more. But he notices that his best friend Christopher is being taunted and is starting to miss school and hiding out and avoiding everyone. And when a football match turns ugly and Jack and Christopher witness some unfair dirty play, they know that, again, the bullying has to stop. Ages: 9+.
I very much enjoyed the earlier Jack books: I am Jack, Super Jack and Always Jack. I also adored Monkey Baa Theatre's performance of I am Jack. Being Jack, the final book in the series, sees our hero Jack at almost 13, an immensely likeable and believable character. I think that’s one of the reasons kids relate so well to the Jack books - they can see themselves in Jack. His life is like theirs. He interacts with good friends, kids at school, teachers, and relatives. Jack loves his family but is often flabbergasted by their behaviour and their idiosyncrasies.
Gervay knows how to make kids laugh, and humour there is, as well as drama and lots of moments for kids to think about and discuss. We see inside Jack’s head and feel what he feels. The present tense makes everything immediate, often almost like a stream of consciousness as Jack is bewildered by chaotic thoughts and real problems. How can he best help his mate, Christopher? Should he try to find and contact his real dad? How will that impact those he loves?
The illustrations by Cathy Wilcox are minimal because this is a novel. But the little black and white sketches add a real charm to the story, and may help younger readers not to be daunted by the amount of text. I hope so, because this, like all the Jack books, is such a great read!
In Being Jack, Gervay challenges us to think about bullying in all its forms. No longer tortured by bullies as he was in I am Jack, nevertheless, Jack has hard decisions to make about being a witness to bullying. For children, for all of us, these are important issues to think about, making Being Jack not just a book kids will very much enjoy, but one that nudges them towards taking responsibility for their own actions.
Kids Book Review
Jack’s been through a lot. His Dad walked out and never came back when he was eight years old. Then there was the serious bullying that went down at school. Jack’s new family, including sort-of-step-dad Rob took a lot of getting used to as well. Then, as Mum’s wedding day finally drew near, everything went out of control.
Now, in Being Jack, life seems to be settling. Grade six is okay. The kids at school who used to bully Jack leave him alone and Mum is recovering well. Step-dad Rob is a funky surfing dude with a sense of humour, but he’s not Jack’s real dad. Jack finds his longing for answers grows until he can’t ignore questions about his real dad any longer. Then things go wrong for Jack’s best friend, Christopher.
Is it possible to overcome the odds and find a dad who doesn’t want to be found? What sort of courage does it take to face old enemies to support a friend? Will the old troubles return if Jack tries to interfere? And where is the line between right and wrong if you didn’t do anything wrong yourself?
Suzanne Gervay’s Jack is always full of heart. We, as readers, get to know Jack so well from the inside that we share his dilemmas and worries. It’s hard not to feel involved as Jack tries to work out the best thing to do. Being Jack is the perfect conclusion to a heartfelt series: another keeper for Middle Primary students.
Title: Being Jack
Author: Suzanne Gervay
Illustrator: Cathy Wilcox
Publisher: Harper Collins, $14.99 RRP
Publication Date: 1 September 2014
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9780732296148
For ages: 9+
Type: Middle Fiction