Reviews of 'Super JACK'
Super Jack by Susanne Gervay
Every institution from Play-school to kindergarten to schools colludes in the illusion that life is about Mum, Dad, two kids and Big Ted. It is extraordinary, still, that so little is written and so little spoken to help children deal with divorce, which is a major trauma in the lives of many. Divorce may be common but it is painful. Susanne Gervay writes humorously but with honesty about the rigours of living in a mix-master family.
Jack's little sister Samantha thinks life with the new stepdad will be all Coke and chips but Jack knows now "there won't by any night when she can get into Mum's bed."
Jack faces the problems of dealing with a new stepdad. A stepbrother and also having his Gran come and live with them on a family trip to the Gold Coast. Gervay's strength lies not only in her humour and honesty but in the fact that her characters are the sort you wouldn't mind sharing the back seat with. Her language is also rich and colourful; her imagery is there to assist the narrative rather than show off in an ostentatious literary display. Jack's little Italian girlfriend Anna has "chocolate drop eyes."
The John Marsdens of the writing scene are very good at top-level abuse and the Paul Jennings are excellent in sheer fun but Susanne Gervay is rare in her ability to place common problems for children within the spectrum of normal family life. The result is that she makes it OK for the children to talk about them.
The Weekend Age, Review Section
Reviews of 'Super Jack' can be found in Aussie Reviews
'Super Jack' - www.aussiereviews.com/article1426.html
Super Jack is both poignant and funny, focussing on the highs and lows of family life. Author Susanne Gervay has a unique style and empathy for her characters which draws readers into the story.
Super Jack is an outstanding offering from an outstanding author
Super Jack by Susanne Gervay
Jack has school holidays on the Gold Coast where he learns how to get on with his slightly oddball family. This sequel to 'I Am Jack' is designed to help kids deal with the pressures of life after their parents' divorce.
QANTAS, The Australian Way Magazine
I Am Jack and Super Jack By Susan Gervay
Reviewed by Susan Stephenson, The Book Chook
Blogging about kids' literature and literacy
One of my favourite books ever is I am Jack, by Susanne Gervay (Angus and Robertson/Harper Collins Publishers 2000). A couple of months ago, I was lucky enough to see I am Jack performed on stage in Brisbane (Queensland, Australia), and what a treat that was! In my post about it, I described the performance as having "lots of opportunities for laughter, but also moments when 150 children sat transfixed and made not a sound."
It's difficult to pinpoint why I like the novel, I am Jack, so much. I guess it's a combination of factors. Firstly must come its theme - bullying. I loathe the consequences of bullying and applaud Gervay for writing a book that shows victims of bullying that they're not alone in that scary, lonely place. Her honesty and matter-of-factness make this book accessible to kids who may not be able to speak up for themselves.
Next is humour. Does that seem to conflict with such a serious theme? Not at all with Gervay's deft handling. There is drama, tension, conflict AND humour as we get to know Jack and his family.
That brings me to character - Gervay's characters are thoroughly believable. I'm sure I know Nanna - enjoys a chat, a little hard-of-hearing, loves to score a bargain or ten at the shops - and all the other characters are just as real. Even when the bully George made me furious on Jack's behalf, he was always three dimensional, not a stereotype.
Above all though, as with many great books, I think I am Jack shines because of its authentic voice. From the first lines, we hear the narrator as a young boy. We experience his anguish; share his corny jokes one minute and pant with him the next as he runs to escape the bullies. Jack grows, changes, learns lots about who he is and what is important to him during the book, and through him, so do we.
Super Jack (Angus and Robertson/Harper Collin 2003) continues with the great characters we met in I am Jack. This time we experience the highs and lows of Jack's life against the backdrop of a holiday on the Gold Coast. Super Jack introduces a new problem for Jack in the form of Leo, his sort-of-step-dad Rob's son. Jack also must cope with worries about Nanna's health, his growing affection for Anna, and Rob moving in. He's such a great kid though, you just know he'll sort it out in the end!
Cathy Wilcox's illustrations are only occasional in what is really a chapter book. We find them most often as chapter headers. But there are also some quirky, comic-style sketches that contribute an extra visual element to Gervay's word pictures.
Both I am Jack, and Super Jack are perfect for kids 8-12. They deal with serious issues in a light-hearted way, but above all, are great stories from a superb story teller. If you'd like to take a peek inside, the Harper Collins site offered me the option of letting you browse inside the book via my blog in the widget below.
Susanne Gervay's own website adds real value to the books. You can check out a cute trailer of I am Jack, link to find Monkey Baa stage show performances, get more information about bullying, and discover a ton of useful literacy activities tied to the books. The great news here too, is that US readers can share the fun - it's published in the USA by Tricycle Press, an imprint of Random House USA, and has been translated into Korean, Bahasa and Vietnamese.
Super Jack By Susan Gervay
Reviewed by Life Education Australia
I Am Jack celebrates kids. Unique, valuable kids who deserve the right to take pride in their own special qualities. Bullying takes this right away from them.
In the context of family and school life, I Am Jack sensitively explores how bullying attacks the very basis of a child's self esteem. Bullying isolates and victimises children. I Am Jack shows them that they are not alone and that they can win against bullying.
I Am Jack is children's literature at its most effective. Beautifully written, revealing the quirkiness of kids, it is funny, loving, moving. It gives adults and children a remarkable understanding into an area that challenges children's belief in themselves.
This is a book children should read because kids are unique."
Super Jack By Susan Gervay
Reviewed by YARRA Reviews ACT
Super Jack written by Susanne Gervay is the funny and enjoyable sequel to I am Jack. This is a story that would appeal and be suitable for young readers aged between 8 and 12 years. The main character Jack is a twelve year old boy who is dealing with the changes that are happening in his family – a new step-dad and step-brother. The family sets out on a family holiday to the Gold Coast where Jack's mum hopes that everyone can get to know each other and some decisions can be made.
The author has done a great job of making the characters real and funny. Jack's Nanna is a wonderful character who joins them on their family holiday. She delights in making bargain purchases, especially underpants.
The novel explores the relation ship between Jack and his new "Dad" and "brother" and how they come to terms with being part of the same family.
The Gold Coast setting provides familiar places and activities for the reader to identify with. Cathy's Wilcox's drawings add an amusing element to the novel – especially the drawing of Jack helping his Nanna up the stairs to their unit.
This was a very easy to read and enjoyable novel that drew you into the family's holiday and the difficulties they were having adjusting to life as one family. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys funny realistic stories. One of the most memorable moments is when the kids decide to show their appreciation of Nanna's obsession with buying underpants.
Super Jack By Susan Gervay
Reviewed by The Weekend Age, Review Section
Every institution from Play-school to kindergarten to schools colludes in the illusion that life is about Mum, Dad, two kids and Big Ted. It is extraordinary, still, that so little is written and so little spoken to help children deal with divorce, which is a major trauma in the lives of many. Divorce may be common but it is painful. Susanne Gervay writes humorously but with honesty about the rigours of living in a mix-master family.
Jack's little sister Samantha thinks life with the new stepdad will be all Coke and chips but Jack knows now "there won't by any night when she can get into Mum's bed."
Jack faces the problems of dealing with a new stepdad. A stepbrother and also having his Gran come and live with them on a family trip to the Gold Coast. Gervay's strength lies not only in her humour and honesty but in the fact that her characters are the sort you wouldn't mind sharing the back seat with. Her language is also rich and colourful; her imagery is there to assist the narrative rather than show off in an ostentatious literary display. Jack's little Italian girlfriend Anna has "chocolate drop eyes."
The John Marsdens of the writing scene are very good at top-level abuse and the Paul Jennings are excellent in sheer fun but Susanne Gervay is rare in her ability to place common problems for children within the spectrum of normal family life. The result is that she makes it OK for the children to talk about them.