Common Sense Media Review
By Terreece Clarke
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Fun, lively tale of 12-year-old girl's cool summer.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
In JACKY HA-HA: MY LIFE IS A JOKE, Jacky is planning for an epic summer doing nothing, but instead has to get a job! When her summer turns into an epic time of crushes, Broadway plays, and intrigue, Jacky struggles to make it all work. How will she juggle it all? Or will her life be a joke?
Is It Any Good?
Funny, touching, and timely, despite taking place in the past, this lively chapter book will keep readers laughing and engaged from the first page. The quick pacing and hilarious drawings put an emphasis on Jacky's crazy summer. Authors James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein do an excellent job of balancing the funny moments with the poignant ones, never letting the plot get bogged down in crush madness. The adults in the book are caring enough that the kids know they can seek them out for guidance, but they also allow the kids enough room to learn and make mistakes.
Readers and parents alike will enjoy the lessons, flashbacks, and fun of Jacky Ha-Ha: My Life Is a Joke. It definitely lives up to the hijinks and lessons of the first book, even if it's a bit lighter in subject matter.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the time period in which Jacky Ha-Ha: My Life Is a Joke is set vs. now. What's the same? What's different? Are the differences significant? In what way?
Jacky and her sisters get jobs to help the family's finances. Could you take on that type of responsibility? How do you help around the house? What are your responsibilities?
Jacky makes a huge mistake and a friend suffers for it. What steps does she take to make it right? Can you think of a big mistake you've made? How did you fix it?
Book Details
- Authors :
- Illustrator : Kerascoët
- Genre : Coming of Age
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : jimmy patterson
- Publication date : October 30, 2017
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 352
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate