Jack's New Power: Stories from a Caribbean Year

by Jack Gantos and Jack Santos

Book Overview

From the Newbery Medal-winning author of Dead End in Norvelt, life for Jack Henry in a brand-new place is filled with the same old craziness

Jack Henry has moved to the island of Barbados with his offbeat family and his secret diary. But still he can't escape his penchant for wacky misadventure. Because of a headless chicken, he gets a violent case of blood poisoning. In a pepper-eating contest with his father, he discovers the perils of male bonding. And then he has his heartstrings twanged by an older woman who just happens to be his sister's best friend.

These are just a few of his trials and tribulations in these eight fierce and funny stories, based on the author's own childhood diaries.

This title has Common Core connections.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0374437157
• ISBN13: 9780374437152
• Release Date: September 1997
• Publisher: St. Martins Press-3PL
• Length: 214 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.1" x 7.7"
• Age Range: 9 to 13 years
• Grade Range: Grades 4 to 8

Customer Reviews

Jack's Power

Jack's New Power, Stories from a Caribbean Year, is a good book. I like the way the boy is about my age, is an American and talks about his experiences living in Barbados. I especially liked the part where the drive in movie theater screen catches on fire when Jack and his family are watching a movie. I think it's funny that Jack's dad just waits for everyone else to leave before he moves the car. Jack thinks that it was too bad that someone had to set the screen on fire because he liked going to the drive in. Jack and his sister, Betsey, were always arguing about everything. Jack thought she was a know-it-all, and in the end she did turn out to be right about pretty much everything they argued about. By Evan D. (6th grade, Aspen Creek)

This is a great book

Jack's New Power is great. The best chapter is at the end when he goes to the cock fight and loses a piece of money. Even though his sister is annoying, she ends up being right. I felt bad for Jack, kind of, at the end. He's off to Florida and he doesn't know what that is going to be like. The funniest part was when he is totally purple and is trying to hide that fact by running around the neighborhood at night when it is dark. Even though he doesn't want to see anyone, someone else is running at night too. He ends up being his friend.

Jack New Power

I loved this Book about Jack and his Memoirs. I read it in One week!!!!

inspiration

i know this is a kids book, and i read it a few years ago, but every once in a while i get it out and read it from cover to cover again. every time i read this book i get inspired about life. does that seem a little drastic? i love this book. it's like my security blanket. read this book!

Jack's New Power : Stories From A Caribbean Year

What a truly great book. I read this when I was in 4th grade.It has a beautiful mix of comedy and just plain interesting writing.It's the best book that I've ever read in my entire life. I also own my own copy of it. I would automatically recommend this book to anyone who wants a good laugh. This is a great book for all ages. I would also like to recommend "Heads Or Tails" which is also in the same series. I am also currently reading the third book in the series, "Jack's Black Book". It's great. Everyone should go out and buy copies of all three books and read them.