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Jacky Ha-Ha: My Life Is a Joke

Name: Jacky Ha-Ha: My Life Is a Joke
Item: Jacky Ha-Ha: My Life Is a Joke
Rating: 5
Author: Terreece Clarke

Book review by

Terreece Clarke, Common Sense Media

Jacky Ha-Ha: My Life Is a Joke Book Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 9+

(i)

Fun, lively tale of 12-year-old girl's cool summer.

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Kids say

age 8+

Based on 2 reviews

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A lot or a little?

The parents' guide to what's in this book.

Educational Value

The novel gives specific examples of differences in technology now versus back in the '90s, when the story takes place (e.g., the Sony Walkman). It also discusses pop culture references and items, aligning them with today's equivalent. There is also discussion of Shakespeare and Shakespearean insults, the inner workings of a play, and general life lessons like taking responsibility when you've made a mistake.

Positive Messages

Things go better with teamwork. It's good to do what you can to help out your family, from doing chores to earning money at a job. Strong messages about friendship, loyalty, and taking responsibility for your mistakes, and being prepared rather than just winging it.

Positive Role Models & Representations

The kids are kind, supportive, and willing to tell each other the truth when someone's messing up big time. The adults are available when the kids need them, but also ready to let the kids take the lead and learn. The adults support the kids when they can't handle things, but allow them to try to resolve the situation on their own.

Violence

There are small threats of violence from bullies, but nothing happens. A kid's mother has died before we meet him in the book, and his father is a soldier serving in the Gulf War. There's worry about soldiers overseas in the war.

Sex

Lots of summer crushes, swooning, and confusing feelings typical of 12- to 16-year-olds. A few quick kisses.

Language

There is name-calling, such as "bubblebutt." And one teen makes a big deal about the race of a character acting in a Shakespeare play, saying essentially that blacks wouldn't have been onstage in that era. In a separate incident, someone tells a black character to go back to Harlem.

Consumerism

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Walkman, New Kids on the Block, Justin Bieber, Icee, MC Hammer -- mainly used to set the scene of what was popular in the '90s as compared with now.

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that New York Times best-seller Jacky Ha-Ha: My Life Is a Joke is a follow-up to James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein's Jacky Ha-Ha and covers a 12-year-old's summer adventures in the 1990s. Popular '90s products and pop culture references are featured alongside more about Shakespeare. There are lots of summer crushes, as well as swooning and confusing feelings typical of 12- to 16-year-olds, and a few quick kisses but nothing heavy. A kid's mother has died before we meet him in the book. His father is a soldier serving in the Gulf War. Parents should be ready to discuss the Gulf War, older technology, crushes, and confronting a friend you think is doing something bad.

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Kid, 9 years old December 14, 2017

age 9+

A Sequel That Lives Up To The Expectations Of Readers Of The First Novel!

I went into the library, thinking “Hmm, I really hope there’s a sequel to that Jacky Ha-Ha book I just finished reading.” So I walked into the James Patterson s... Continue reading

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Kid, 9 years old February 4, 2018

age 6+

Great.

Great sequel.

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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?