Me & Jack

Gr 4—7—Joshua Reed's mother passed away a few years ago, and he and his dad are constantly moving because his father is an air force recruiter during the Vietnam War. It's not the easiest of circumstances for a sixth grader. In his newest home, in the steep hills of Pennsylvania, Joshua and his father decide to adopt a dog from the local pound. Jack spooks and scares most of the community because he's so strange looking (he's actually a Pharaoh hound). He is blamed for breaking into the chicken coop, knocking over garbage cans, and more. Joshua has to defend Jack and determine who or what is frightening the community, while simultaneously making a comfortable place for himself. The constant presence of the Vietnam War plays an integral role in this novel. When attending church for the first time, Joshua and his father hear the pastor congratulate a local family on their son's upcoming return and empathize with a family whose son is MIA. Me & Jack is well paced and keeps readers focused and concerned about the characters and their development.—Patty Saidenberg, George Jackson Academy, New York City