What do you think?
Rate this book
Weird Stories Gone Wrong #1
Jake and the Giant Hand (Weird Stories Gone Wrong) by Dowding, Philippa (2014) Paperback
Why is Grandpa acting so weird? And why are there so many giant flies?Jake spends every summer on his grandpa's farm. But this year, things are a little weird. First, there are huge flies everywhere. Second, Grandpa is acting kind of funny. And third, Jake's friend Kate keeps trying to scare him with creepy stories. Last year's tale about the swamp creature was bad enough, but this year's story about a hand that someone found in a farmer's field is even worse. And it wasn't just any hand either. It was a giant's hand!It might just be the creepiest story of all. It can't be real. Can it?
Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
1 person is currently reading
80 people want to read
About the author
Philippa Dowding
21 books68 followersPhilippa Dowding is an author, poet, and composer/musician based in Toronto. She is the winner of the Governor General's Literary Award, Young People's Literature, Text, and the Ruth & Sylvia Schwartz Children's Book Award, for her book FIREFLY.
Philippa was a writer early in life, and began writing poetry and short stories at age nine. She studied English Language & Literature at Western University in London, Ontario, and completed an M.A. in English at The University of Toronto. Soon after graduating, she began her professional writing life as a copywriter in the magazine and newspaper industry, where she won many industry awards.
When she had a family, she began telling bedtime stories to her children. One story, about a lost gargoyle living in a child's backyard in downtown Toronto, became her first published book in The Lost Gargoyle series.
Philippa has won literary nominations across Canada, the U.S. and Europe, including the Diamond Willow, Hackmatack, Silver Birch, Red Cedar and Red Maple awards. Her third book, The Gargoyle at the Gates, was named a White Raven Book by the International Youth Library in Munich.
NEW BOOK: The Love Song of Mr. Byrd is coming this fall!
Visit Philippa's website for more about her books, poetry, and music: http://pdowding.com/
Philippa was a writer early in life, and began writing poetry and short stories at age nine. She studied English Language & Literature at Western University in London, Ontario, and completed an M.A. in English at The University of Toronto. Soon after graduating, she began her professional writing life as a copywriter in the magazine and newspaper industry, where she won many industry awards.
When she had a family, she began telling bedtime stories to her children. One story, about a lost gargoyle living in a child's backyard in downtown Toronto, became her first published book in The Lost Gargoyle series.
Philippa has won literary nominations across Canada, the U.S. and Europe, including the Diamond Willow, Hackmatack, Silver Birch, Red Cedar and Red Maple awards. Her third book, The Gargoyle at the Gates, was named a White Raven Book by the International Youth Library in Munich.
NEW BOOK: The Love Song of Mr. Byrd is coming this fall!
Visit Philippa's website for more about her books, poetry, and music: http://pdowding.com/
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
April 19, 2020
It's another summer and Jake gets to spend two weeks with his grandfather. When he arrives he notices huge flies and strange happenings. What is the mystery behind the giant hand? Great short creepy story to keep a reader on the edge of their seat. I've enjoyed reading this series.
April 10, 2014
Originally reviewed in Looking For a Good Book. Rated 4.5.
I have ALWAYS enjoyed works of the absurd; the theatre of Eugene Ionesco, the stories of Nikolai Gogol, the books of Roald Dahl. Now I'll include Philippa Dowding to that list!
This book is about twelve year old Jake who is off to visit his grandfather. Jake spends some time with some older kids who live nearby, and who love to tell scary stories that are supposed to be true, about their town. On this particular night, they tell the story about when a local farmer discovered a giant hand, wearing a wedding ring, in the middle of his field, and how giant flies, as large as birds, buzzed the area. Jake doesn't want to believe the story, but when he questions the local adults, they all try to change the subject, even Jake's grandpa! Jake does a little investigating, and gets a little more than he bargained for!
Written for young readers (Fourth grade? Fifth grade?), it manages to treat the reader with respect; it doesn't write 'down' to them, or try to explain every moment. It puts us, reader, in the story by letting us experience what Jake experiences, without explaining it all away. We are just as lost and scared as Jake, and we come to the same conclusions that Jake does (especially what the mysterious white stone is, down in the ground, that he and his grandfather uncovered while digging a post hole). The fear that builds is completely accurate and in line with the sort of fear a twelve year old might have after listening to a scary story.
The best part of the book, however, as I alluded to earlier, is the absurdity that this horrific, spooky story, could actually be true. There is no clear answer. In fact, all the evidence -- physical evidence! -- suggests the tale is true, but Jake also knows that it can't possibly be true, and yet .... This is a great way to maintain creative thinking and a love of reading in our young readers.
I highly recommend this book!
Looking for a good book? Jake and Giant Hand is part mystery, part young-reader-horror, part adventure, which rolled together under Philippa Dowding's creativity, is all genius.
I have ALWAYS enjoyed works of the absurd; the theatre of Eugene Ionesco, the stories of Nikolai Gogol, the books of Roald Dahl. Now I'll include Philippa Dowding to that list!
This book is about twelve year old Jake who is off to visit his grandfather. Jake spends some time with some older kids who live nearby, and who love to tell scary stories that are supposed to be true, about their town. On this particular night, they tell the story about when a local farmer discovered a giant hand, wearing a wedding ring, in the middle of his field, and how giant flies, as large as birds, buzzed the area. Jake doesn't want to believe the story, but when he questions the local adults, they all try to change the subject, even Jake's grandpa! Jake does a little investigating, and gets a little more than he bargained for!
Written for young readers (Fourth grade? Fifth grade?), it manages to treat the reader with respect; it doesn't write 'down' to them, or try to explain every moment. It puts us, reader, in the story by letting us experience what Jake experiences, without explaining it all away. We are just as lost and scared as Jake, and we come to the same conclusions that Jake does (especially what the mysterious white stone is, down in the ground, that he and his grandfather uncovered while digging a post hole). The fear that builds is completely accurate and in line with the sort of fear a twelve year old might have after listening to a scary story.
The best part of the book, however, as I alluded to earlier, is the absurdity that this horrific, spooky story, could actually be true. There is no clear answer. In fact, all the evidence -- physical evidence! -- suggests the tale is true, but Jake also knows that it can't possibly be true, and yet .... This is a great way to maintain creative thinking and a love of reading in our young readers.
I highly recommend this book!
Looking for a good book? Jake and Giant Hand is part mystery, part young-reader-horror, part adventure, which rolled together under Philippa Dowding's creativity, is all genius.
September 3, 2016
"Man, this town IS weird!"
The previous summer, during a two week vacation at his grandfather's farm, Jake had found himself being very creeped out by a scary campfire story about an old lady who mysteriously disappeared into the swamp behind the farm. Well, now Jake is back, he's twelve, and he isn't going to be scared by any more stories, even scary tales told by the older twins who live on the next farm over, are friendly, but favor creepy tales of local shady doings.
But, what about the giant hand that was supposedly found in a farmer's field a hundred years earlier? And what's with the giant, bird sized, flies that are appearing all around the farm?
This book had more to it than just a simple scary story. Jake has some real personality as our hero and his cagey grandfather is more than a stock figure. The atmosphere is built up nicely and the pacing between scary parts and then short breathers is nicely done. There are twists and turns and Jake and the twins actually do some nice detective work in town, so this isn't just a one-act late night campfire tale.
There are some scary parts. Lots of times "scary" books for younger readers don't actually scare anyone, but the menace from the flies and the slow build up of suspense and the slow reveal at the end, offer some chilling moments. (It reminded me a bit of the way that Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds" had such a slow but effective build up of mystery and menace.)
So, all in all a pretty creepy tale for a young reader, where the creepiness comes from solid writing and atmosphere rather than just lots of gross stuff, which is the easy way out. I was pleasantly surprised.
Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book in exchange for a candid review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.
The previous summer, during a two week vacation at his grandfather's farm, Jake had found himself being very creeped out by a scary campfire story about an old lady who mysteriously disappeared into the swamp behind the farm. Well, now Jake is back, he's twelve, and he isn't going to be scared by any more stories, even scary tales told by the older twins who live on the next farm over, are friendly, but favor creepy tales of local shady doings.
But, what about the giant hand that was supposedly found in a farmer's field a hundred years earlier? And what's with the giant, bird sized, flies that are appearing all around the farm?
This book had more to it than just a simple scary story. Jake has some real personality as our hero and his cagey grandfather is more than a stock figure. The atmosphere is built up nicely and the pacing between scary parts and then short breathers is nicely done. There are twists and turns and Jake and the twins actually do some nice detective work in town, so this isn't just a one-act late night campfire tale.
There are some scary parts. Lots of times "scary" books for younger readers don't actually scare anyone, but the menace from the flies and the slow build up of suspense and the slow reveal at the end, offer some chilling moments. (It reminded me a bit of the way that Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds" had such a slow but effective build up of mystery and menace.)
So, all in all a pretty creepy tale for a young reader, where the creepiness comes from solid writing and atmosphere rather than just lots of gross stuff, which is the easy way out. I was pleasantly surprised.
Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book in exchange for a candid review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.
April 13, 2014
Full review at http://thebookshelfgargoyle.wordpress... (September 1st 2014)
I received a digital copy of this book for review from the publisher via Netgalley.
Ten Second Synopsis:
Jake experiences some serious weirdness on his yearly trip to his Grandpa's farm. Do these flies seem unusually large to you?
This is the kind of book that will draw young male readers to it like flies to a particularly stinky pile of rotting compost. It is the perfect subject matter with which to tempt reluctant readers, and it dovetails nicely with an age group that is just beginning to gain some independence from parents and take on experiences laced with adventure. So I suspect this one will be a hit with middle-graders.
The only thing I didn’t really rate in the story was the abrupt manner of the reveal. There’s a lot of creepy, odd build up before Jake eventually solves the mystery, and I felt that the scene in which the the mystery is revealed didn’t quite gel with the rest of the book. There is an epilogue of sorts in which we find out what happens later, and it may just be the nature of the genre, with a slow build-up and quick surprising reveal, but I was left wanting, just a little.
If you’re looking for quirky, and let’s admit it, we all are in one form or another, you will not be disappointed with this book. As a citizen of the country that brought you the hat-with-the-dangly-corks as a low-tech fly repellant, I was with Jake all the way in the creep-out stakes here.
Overall, I’d have to say this was a great, fun read and I look forward to seeing what’s in store for the rest of the series. There’s plenty of humour here, crazy, exciting mystery and just the right level of strange goings-on to provide an enjoyably creepy atmosphere without scaring the pants off anyone.
Recommended.
I received a digital copy of this book for review from the publisher via Netgalley.
Ten Second Synopsis:
Jake experiences some serious weirdness on his yearly trip to his Grandpa's farm. Do these flies seem unusually large to you?
This is the kind of book that will draw young male readers to it like flies to a particularly stinky pile of rotting compost. It is the perfect subject matter with which to tempt reluctant readers, and it dovetails nicely with an age group that is just beginning to gain some independence from parents and take on experiences laced with adventure. So I suspect this one will be a hit with middle-graders.
The only thing I didn’t really rate in the story was the abrupt manner of the reveal. There’s a lot of creepy, odd build up before Jake eventually solves the mystery, and I felt that the scene in which the the mystery is revealed didn’t quite gel with the rest of the book. There is an epilogue of sorts in which we find out what happens later, and it may just be the nature of the genre, with a slow build-up and quick surprising reveal, but I was left wanting, just a little.
If you’re looking for quirky, and let’s admit it, we all are in one form or another, you will not be disappointed with this book. As a citizen of the country that brought you the hat-with-the-dangly-corks as a low-tech fly repellant, I was with Jake all the way in the creep-out stakes here.
Overall, I’d have to say this was a great, fun read and I look forward to seeing what’s in store for the rest of the series. There’s plenty of humour here, crazy, exciting mystery and just the right level of strange goings-on to provide an enjoyably creepy atmosphere without scaring the pants off anyone.
Recommended.
April 16, 2014
A free copy of this book was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Jake and the Giant Hand is the story of Jake, who visits his grandfather on his farm every summer. The problem is that this summer there seem to be a strange number of giant flies swarming around the farm and his friend Kate has scared him with creepy stories about the swamp and fields behind the house. This year, she tells him the story of how a giant dismembered hand was found in a farmer's field, surrounded by giant flies, with no idea where it came from.
This was a fun story to read with just the right amount of scary for me. Weirdly, despite the focus of the story being about the giant hand, I ended up a bit more interested in all the other weird stories about the town as revealed in various newspaper clippings in the story. I ended up kind of hoping that Dowding would make this book into a series about some of those other creepy and odd stories. I liked Jake as a character, I thought he was the right mix of child and adult for his age, and the thought of all those flies (which appear out of nowhere) really sent shivers up my spine.
I have to admit though that I'm greedy when it comes to plot lines and I would've loved to have an explanation for the giant hand story, even though it was resolved somewhat in the epilogue. I also ended up a little lost about some parts of the story, such as why the librarian was acting so suspiciously. I really felt that given the suspense of that part of the story, it would have been better to have some explanation for that rather than leaving it as another loose thread in the story.
All in all, I did enjoy this book and thought it was well constructed and written. I really loved the various weird stories that had taken place in the town. I ended up a little frustrated though by the amount of loose ends left at the end of the story. 3.5 stars.
Jake and the Giant Hand is the story of Jake, who visits his grandfather on his farm every summer. The problem is that this summer there seem to be a strange number of giant flies swarming around the farm and his friend Kate has scared him with creepy stories about the swamp and fields behind the house. This year, she tells him the story of how a giant dismembered hand was found in a farmer's field, surrounded by giant flies, with no idea where it came from.
This was a fun story to read with just the right amount of scary for me. Weirdly, despite the focus of the story being about the giant hand, I ended up a bit more interested in all the other weird stories about the town as revealed in various newspaper clippings in the story. I ended up kind of hoping that Dowding would make this book into a series about some of those other creepy and odd stories. I liked Jake as a character, I thought he was the right mix of child and adult for his age, and the thought of all those flies (which appear out of nowhere) really sent shivers up my spine.
I have to admit though that I'm greedy when it comes to plot lines and I would've loved to have an explanation for the giant hand story, even though it was resolved somewhat in the epilogue. I also ended up a little lost about some parts of the story, such as why the librarian was acting so suspiciously. I really felt that given the suspense of that part of the story, it would have been better to have some explanation for that rather than leaving it as another loose thread in the story.
All in all, I did enjoy this book and thought it was well constructed and written. I really loved the various weird stories that had taken place in the town. I ended up a little frustrated though by the amount of loose ends left at the end of the story. 3.5 stars.
June 25, 2014
BOOK DESCRIPTION:
Why is Grandpa acting so weird? And why are there so many giant flies buzzing around? Jake spends every summer holiday on his grandpa's farm. But this year, things are a little weird. First, there are huge flies everywhere. Second, Grandpa is acting kind of odd. And third, Jake's friend Kate keeps trying to scare him with creepy stories. Last year's tale about the swamp creature was bad enough, but this year's story about a hand that someone found in a farmer's field is even worse. And it wasn't just any hand either. It was a GIANT'S hand! It might just be the creepiest story of all. But it can't be real. Can it? Jake and the Giant Hand is book one in a new middle grade series, Weird Stories Gone Wrong.
REVIEW
12 year old Jake was an awesome character in an awesome, age appropriate spook tale. I loved this ecopy I received free for review purposes. The story starts with Jake taking his usual summer stay with his grandfather in a town with many strange happenings over the years. Jake's friends near his grandpa's are a boy & girl set of twins 2 years older than him, who scared him the summer before with a "giant hand" story. Just lots of strange stories like all
towns have right?
I really liked that this book was not too much and too scary for a reader just coming into strange tales, but it was still extremely interesting and funny. Jake refers to grandpa's dog's tongue as the "tongue of death" ~ we all know what it's like for a overly loving dog to slobber all over you with a tongue that has been no telling where.
Good, clean fun with suspense and mystery for the kids and even some good ole family bonding. I loved it!!
Why is Grandpa acting so weird? And why are there so many giant flies buzzing around? Jake spends every summer holiday on his grandpa's farm. But this year, things are a little weird. First, there are huge flies everywhere. Second, Grandpa is acting kind of odd. And third, Jake's friend Kate keeps trying to scare him with creepy stories. Last year's tale about the swamp creature was bad enough, but this year's story about a hand that someone found in a farmer's field is even worse. And it wasn't just any hand either. It was a GIANT'S hand! It might just be the creepiest story of all. But it can't be real. Can it? Jake and the Giant Hand is book one in a new middle grade series, Weird Stories Gone Wrong.
REVIEW
12 year old Jake was an awesome character in an awesome, age appropriate spook tale. I loved this ecopy I received free for review purposes. The story starts with Jake taking his usual summer stay with his grandfather in a town with many strange happenings over the years. Jake's friends near his grandpa's are a boy & girl set of twins 2 years older than him, who scared him the summer before with a "giant hand" story. Just lots of strange stories like all
towns have right?
I really liked that this book was not too much and too scary for a reader just coming into strange tales, but it was still extremely interesting and funny. Jake refers to grandpa's dog's tongue as the "tongue of death" ~ we all know what it's like for a overly loving dog to slobber all over you with a tongue that has been no telling where.
Good, clean fun with suspense and mystery for the kids and even some good ole family bonding. I loved it!!
January 31, 2015
“Did I ever tell you about the time...” begins Jake's crazy grandpa's tall stories. Two weeks on a farm surrounded by dark trees and black fields with his grandpa, his weird stories and his smelly, slobbery dog, is creepy for Jake. His friend Kate tells creepy stories too. Worse, the town near his grandpa's farm seems full of creepy stories. Jake gets fed up. He wants the truth. But what is the truth?
I won't spoil the story but you can imagine the Giant Hand is one of those creepy stories.“And sometimes things that seem like lies are actually true. And sometimes you can never tell.”
Jake and the Giant Hand by Philippa Dowding will have young readers creeped out with delight at the dog's tongue of death and Jake's falling into a post hole one moment and spooked out with giant flies (and other things I won't tell you about or it will spoil the spook) the next. Fun. I hope there are more Jake stories.
I won't spoil the story but you can imagine the Giant Hand is one of those creepy stories.“And sometimes things that seem like lies are actually true. And sometimes you can never tell.”
Jake and the Giant Hand by Philippa Dowding will have young readers creeped out with delight at the dog's tongue of death and Jake's falling into a post hole one moment and spooked out with giant flies (and other things I won't tell you about or it will spoil the spook) the next. Fun. I hope there are more Jake stories.
November 17, 2014
Philippa Dowding is a master storyteller. It feels as if she’s sitting in a rocking chair, telling the story to a rapt young audience.
Dowding’s novel for Grades 3–4 is filled with suspense, mystery, and humor. For example, who or what is the giant hand? What is the white object at the bottom of the post hole? What happened to the old woman who disappeared? And where do the swarms of humungous flies come from? As Jake gradually uncovers the mysteries on the farm and in the town, he learns more about his family history and about the character of his grandfather.
In a layered, deceptively simple story, the character of Jake grows in understanding and maturity. This is a fun-filled story for readers who like a spooky tale. And the surprise twist at the end is, well, surprising.
Dowding’s novel for Grades 3–4 is filled with suspense, mystery, and humor. For example, who or what is the giant hand? What is the white object at the bottom of the post hole? What happened to the old woman who disappeared? And where do the swarms of humungous flies come from? As Jake gradually uncovers the mysteries on the farm and in the town, he learns more about his family history and about the character of his grandfather.
In a layered, deceptively simple story, the character of Jake grows in understanding and maturity. This is a fun-filled story for readers who like a spooky tale. And the surprise twist at the end is, well, surprising.
March 9, 2014
Are some of those crazy tall tales true? I know you have heard some nutsy tales somewhere along the way, but here Jake has heard his granddad's crazy stories and been scared by his friend Kate's ghost stories - but then Jake sees giant flies buzzing near his grandfather's house and then hears stories and rumors about a giant hand found somwhere nearby - what's the story about these giguntus flies? And how about that giant hand? Is it real? Read this and find out! Probably best for fourth and fifth graders.....
April 1, 2014
Entertaining scary children's book that all children (especially boys) will love. Jake is a 12 year old boy who goes to visit his grandfather and finds out the town he lives in has mysteries and scary happenings-from disappearing old ladies to giant hands this story keeps you interested and wondering what happens next. The book has everything a kid could love-huge flies, dead giants and more. The story line flows well and it is scary without being to scary. I highly recommend this book. Very creative and builds suspense well.
February 14, 2015
Similar to the Lemony Snicket series, Jake and the Giant Hand reads as a cautionary tale, warning the readers that they may not like what they read. Jake is spending the summer on his grandfather's farm when he finds out about mysterious events in the town's past. Giant flies buzz about as Jake tried to determine what are lies and what are exaggerations and if there really is a giant's hand buried on the farm. Highly recommended for Middle grade reluctant readers who love thrillers with a fast pace.
December 21, 2014
I got into this book right away as the story is paced nicely and never lags.
Humour, horror and and curiousity can be found among the pages and keep the reader turning at times in total disbelief. Most unexpected, was the ending which I won't spoil but found quite entertaining from an adult point of view.
This would be a great book for boys or girls approx 10 yrs old. I really enjoyed reading Jake and the Giant Hand and loved the conclusion!
Humour, horror and and curiousity can be found among the pages and keep the reader turning at times in total disbelief. Most unexpected, was the ending which I won't spoil but found quite entertaining from an adult point of view.
This would be a great book for boys or girls approx 10 yrs old. I really enjoyed reading Jake and the Giant Hand and loved the conclusion!
April 2, 2014
Twelve-year-old Jake goes on a summer visit to his grandfather's farm and finds some giant flies, is scared by a neighbor, almost dies when he falls into a post hole, solves a mystery, and decides maybe some questions should be left unanswered.
A fast-paced, tall-tale type story for upper elementary to middle school.
A fast-paced, tall-tale type story for upper elementary to middle school.
February 6, 2015
This is a book for kids that like spooky stories or stories that people have heard and don't know if they are true or false. A fun, short read, it will appeal to 2nd, 3rd and 4th graders. It's also a good selection for reluctant readers.
November 29, 2013
Creepy and fast-paced. Just intriguing and scary enough to make you read want to it in one sitting.
April 3, 2014
This is a fun read for kids nine or ten.
July 26, 2014
This was quit a good book. I loved the characters and am sure that this is a book that boys will love. I can't wait for another.
November 3, 2014
A great read...I can't wait to share it with my nephew!
February 3, 2016
What a great book that sends chills all over....so beware of flies!!
highly recommended!
highly recommended!
March 31, 2021
3.75/5★
February 9, 2021
It was a great book, and a friend did all the drawings!!
March 18, 2014
The part of the book before Chapter 1 begins contained a large number of words that were missing letters. Once I started the book (after the beginning of Chapter 1), the formatting was off, but the missing letters, for the most part, stopped. The story was a little slow, but I, generally, liked it. I didn't like how Jake treated his grandfather, but I'm going to mark that down to his age and nothing else.
April 27, 2014
Just the right amount of "mysteriously creepy" for this age group. And just the right length for those not yet ready to read a 200 page novel. I will definitely recommend this to my (boy) reluctant readers.
February 1, 2015
Ok, I thought the grandfather's character should have been more consistant.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews