SCBWI | Bookstore Detail

Jack’s a kid – your best mate – you just know him and cheer for him even when he’s making fungus in one of his experiments or taking photos of waddly Nanna without her teeth or telling one of his jokes. He’s a great comedian. He plays soccer, but he’s into footy too, surfing and sport. Einstein’s his hero.

But underlying the jokes and all things JACK, is that deep heart kids have. He’d put his life down for his family and his mates and certainly Anna. He’s the man of the house, but wants to know who his father is. He’s the kid who was bullied like many kids, survived with the support of family and friends and became the Jack who stands beside others. He stands beside his Mum when she faces breast cancer. He stands beside Christopher when he’s attacked for being Asian.

He even stands beside his sister Samantha, when she’s irritating him with yet another dog project.

Jack’s a winner. We all feel like winners too.

The 4th and final book in the 4 book stand-alone but conencted I AM JACK books. Jack stand up for others and knows who he is now.

Endorsed by Room to Read bringing literacy and books to the children of the developing world www.roomtoread.org

"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. " Sun Herald Review

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 13^th 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.