The Janitor's Boy

by Andrew Clements

Book Overview

Ordinarily, no one would have imagined that Jack Rankin would vandalize a desk. But this was not an ordinary school year for Jack....

When Jack Rankin learns that he is going to spend the fifth grade in the old high school -- the building where his father works as a janitor -- he dreads the start of school. Jack manages to get through the first month without the kids catching on. Then comes the disastrous day when one of his classmates...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0689818181
• ISBN13: 9780689818189
• Release Date: May 2000
• Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
• Length: 144 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.9" x 8.5"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

This is a really Good BOOK, i mean really good

This book is amazing. Chapter after chapter, page after page. Its always exciting no matter what part of the book you're in. I loved ready this book and i also learned about father-son relationships. That no matter what job your dad has, even if he's a janitor you wont be ashamed of him being your dad. Well in this book a boy named Jack Rankin goes to school where his dad is the janitor. Everybody makes fun of him so he blames it all on his dad. He makes a big mess for his dad to clean up but he gets caught. His punishment was to clean up the school after school is over. He gets to feel just like his dad feels as a janitor. His punishment actually got him and his dad real close. This is a really good book, you should read it

Amazing book! You should read it!

I just finished reading Janitor's Boy with my mom. I really liked the book. Jack Rankin is the main character. He starts out really angry because he is embarrassed that he goes to school where his dad is the janitor. He gets into trouble by putting lots of gum underneath a desk. Jack really gets to know his dad when he spends every day for three weeks as a janitor as a punishment. He steals keys when he is a janitor. He finds a key to the bell tower where he can see the whole town. He also finds a key to the steam tunnel. He even meets a boy living there. By the end of the story it turns out that Jack really loves his dad once he learns about his dads life. I really liked the author Andrew Clements because he drew me into the book.

What a Perfect Crime

AN ADVENTEROUS BOOK !!!!!!!!!!! IT LEAVES YOU ON THE EDGE OF YOUR SEAT. How would you feel if your dad was the janitor at your school? Jack tried to avoid his dad at school as much as possible. That one day came when it was his turn to be embarrassed. A kid in Jack's class vomitted (pee-yoo) and his dad came to the rescue to clean it up. The kids then began to make fun of him with obserd remarks, but Jack had a plan to get back at them. He found these tunnels in the back of the school. He began searching these SECRETPASSAGEWAYS. He came out with more knowledge than he came in with about his school, his father, and even himself. What did he find out? huh, huh . Find out by reading this very adventurous book.

Another winner from Andrew Clements

Andrew Clements is quickly proving to be one of the finest writers for pre-teens in the country. "The Janitor's Boy" is a funny yet sensitive story about a son and his perceptions of his Father. I read it with my son and we both enjoyed it very much. It also led to several discussions between us. Any book that can foster discussions between parents and children is special. "The Janitor's Boy" is another special book from a gifted writer.

Wonderful story of Father and Son

This book is about a 5th grade boy who is embarassed by his fathers job. His father is the school janitor. By doing something wrong, he has to work with his father as a punishment. This turns into a great adventure for Jack. It also gives the father and son a chance to really get to know each other for who they really are. It is a wonderful adventure tied into a heartwarming father and son renewal. It keeps the reader wanting to know more and an unforgetable ending.