The Lovereading4Kids comment
Like the characters in many of his hugely popular children’s books Jacky, the star of James Patterson’s Jacky Ha-Ha, is an expert a cracking jokes. It gets her attention (important when you’re one of seven sisters) and keeps the other kids laughing with her, not at her (Jacky stammers). It also gets her into a lot of trouble at school. It takes a new teacher with as many gags as Jacky to find a way to channel that creative energy into something that will keep her in the spotlight but out of detention. As ever the story zips along and Jacky’s first person straight-to-camera narrative is very appealing. Behind the humour the emotions ring true – Jacky misses her mum, a US soldier away on operations and worries what her dad is doing out late every night – and this will have readers hooked from page one. ~ Andrea Reece
Reader Reviews
Kids love to read and so in addition to our Lovereading expert opinion some of our Lovereading4kids Reader Review Panel were also lucky enough to read and review this title. You can read their full reviews by clicking here.
- Evie Boston, age 10 - 'Hilariously funny and impossible to put down!'
- Stephanie Chaplin, age 11 - 'Jacky Ha-Ha is a funny and enjoyable story that I did not want to put down.'
- Georgie Docwra, age 10 - 'This hilarious book is unlike any other book I've read!'
- Felicity Kerswell, age 13 - 'The book was very funny and I enjoyed reading about the main character Jacky. I would definitely recommend this book! Loved it!'
- Ellen Cox, age 9 - 'A very funny book that I really enjoyed!'
- Amelia Jones, age 10 - 'Absolutely loved Jacky Ha-Ha, I was in fits of laughter frequently throughout the book...Jacky vows to make her life better and she makes it!!! Just a few bumps and potholes on her road to a better future!'
- Gabriella Chatham, age 9 - 'Jacky Ha-Ha is a very funny book. I would recommend this book to anybody who enjoys laugh out loud books.'
- William Longlands, age 12 - '9/10 Well written and I would recommend it.'
- Daniel Harrison, age 9 - 'This is a funny book and is a fast read.'
- Victor Seage, age 8 - 'I just wanted to keep turning the pages of the book to find out what happens next. I love this author.'
Synopsis
Jacky Ha-Ha by James Patterson
With her irresistible urge to tell a joke in every situation - even when she really, really shouldn't - twelve-year-old Jacky Ha-Ha loves to make people laugh. And cracking wise helps distract her from thinking about not-so-funny things in her life, like her mom serving in a dangerous, faraway war, and a dad who's hardly ever home. But no matter how much fun Jacky has, she can't seem to escape her worries. So one starlit night, she makes a promise to keep her family together...even if she has to give up the one thing that makes her happy. But can she stop being Jacky Ha-Ha, if that's who she really is?
Browse inside this book
About the Author
James Patterson is one of the best-known and biggest selling writers of all time. He is the author of some of the bestselling series of the past decade: the Women's Murder Club, the Alex Cross novels and Maximum Ride, and he has written many other number one bestsellers including romance novels and stand alone thrillers. He has won an Edgar award, the mystery world's highest honour. He lives in Florida with his wife and son, seen pictured here.
Best known for his thrillers he also writes for children and is passionate about encouraging children to develop a love of reading. In 2014 he donated £250,000 to help independent bookshops with a children’s section in the UK. Rafe from the Middle School series also features on the first ever children’s ‘Books are my Bag’ rucksack.
If you are a teacher CLICK HERE to download a free Middle School resource to help get kids reading.
James Patterson's top tips to get your kids - even the most reluctant ones - reading!
* Find books your kids love.
Talk with your child about their interests. Kids read more if they read what they like. E-reader, paperbacks, hard covers, comic books are all fine. Reading is the goal!
* Get a Library Card in your child's name.
Visit your library…the resources they have for the summer are usually terrific. And the Children's Librarian will usually bend over backwards to help your child find fun stuff to read.
* "Buddy Read" together.
Model reading with your child. Read the same books together, and talk about them.
* Create a Reading Club with friends.
It's always more fun if you can share the experience.
* Reward progress.
Set goals with your child, and track their achievements. Give them little "awards" for progress.
* Travel with your books wherever you go.
Take them to the beach, in the car, on vacations, and to the pool. Make the "in between" moments count. Put books everywhere your kids might be bored and want to turn on the TV, such as the breakfast table, the bedside table—wherever.
* Remember: it's up to you to make it fun.
Reading is fun! If it isn't, keep at it till they find books they can't put down. Then reward yourself, Mom and Dad, because you have just given your child the best present you could ever have imagined: the gift of reading—for life.
Visit ReadKiddoRead.com to find out more about this fantastic campaign.
Find lots of news and fun activities on the Middle School books here.
Profile photo credit Rankin.
James & Jack Patterson photo credit Sue Patterson
Loading similar books...
Other Formats
Book Info
Format
Hardback
Author
James Patterson
More books by James Patterson
Author's Website
http://www.jamespatterson.c...
Author's Facebook Latest
Publisher
Arrow (Young) an imprint of Cornerstone
Publication date
7th April 2016
ISBN
9781784754068
Categories
Lovereading is just a convenient way to find new books and hear others opinions on them.
Sarah Murray – age 15
I love Lovereading as it provides an honest opinion and showcases a range of fiction. Suited to both parents & kids alike, it’s a must-use.
Georgie Rowe – age 16
LoveReading4Kids is a modern and creative way of emphasising the value and importance of books in this digital age #booksforlife
Amrit Bunet – Teen
I love Lovereading4kids because I get an opportunity to put my opinion forward and to try new books
Elosie Clarkson – age 11
Love “Lovereading4kids” as my son gets to hear about & read new books before his mates which keeps him interested in reading=a very happy Mum
Liz Evans
You give me age appropriate ideas of books I can read and buy for the children and find out what other children their age think of them too.
Katie Lonsdale
It has introduced my children to books we hadn’t come across before. Real children’s reviews gives a great insight into what others think to
Lorraine Woods
I love all the books they recommend & put up for me to review. I also love the fact that they give new authors the chance to share their boo
Daisy Pennock – age 15
Share this page
What's this?