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Jack Strong Takes A Stand (2013)

by Tommy Greenwald(Favorite Author)

3.89 of 5 Votes: 5

ISBN

1596438363 (ISBN13: 9781596438361)

languge

English

genre

Humor

publisher

Roaring Brook Press

review 1: Middle-schooler Jack Strong learns about burnout first-hand after his dad enrolls him in numerous extracurricular activities so that he will be well prepared for college. But after only a week into the hectic schedule of Chinese, tennis, EMT training, cello, math tutoring, baseball and soccer, Jack rebels. He stages a sit-in on the family couch, refusing to budge until his dad concedes to his demands and lightens his load. This in turn causes strife between Jack’s parents and his maternal grandmother. Jack’s cause celebre spreads to the high school paper and then to the local media. Their front yard turns into a remote news venue, complete with protestors for and against Jack’s stand. When it seems that the impasse will never be resolved, a family health crisis cause... mores everyone to re-evaluate their positions, much to Jack’s satisfaction. The story is a cautionary tale about excess and overreaching parenting. Jack’s first-person narrative moves the plot along and will keep young readers amused and engaged. The few illustrations are simple and spot-on. Themes and lessons abound here, but they don’t get in the way of a good story.
review 2: Running from one extracurricular activity to the next, middle school student Jack Strong finally says enough is enough. He takes a stand for a less-scheduled life by taking a seat on his family's couch. I really enjoyed the characters and plot as well as the fact that every side of the issue was touched. Not only was Jack's thoughts and feelings fleshed out, but his father's motivations were, too. This book could really resonate with many middle school children. less

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