The Robot Blues

Hey Jack! #4

by Sally Rippin

Jack has made an awesome robot suit for a costume party. But what if the other kids at the party think it's lame?

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, Chapter Books

48 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Sally Rippin was born in Darwin, but grew up mainly in South-East Asia. As a young adult she lived in China for three years, studying traditional Chinese painting. Sally has over seventy books published, many of them award-winning, including two novels for young adults. Her most recent work includes the highly acclaimed children’s novel Angel Creek and the popular Billie B Brown books, which became the highest selling series for 6-8 year olds in Australia within the first year of their release. Sally is Australia’s highest selling female author and her Billie B Brown books have sold more than 4.5 million copies in 14 languages.
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Sally is a popular presenter in schools and at literary festivals both in Australia and overseas and has a regular program on 3RRR interviewing children’s authors and industry professionals. She is a passionate ambassador for the 100 Story Building creative writing centre for marginalized youth and has mentored many emerging writers and illustrators. Recently, she and her partner co-founded Story Peddlers, a hand-made performance tent that packs away into a custom-built bike, with the aim of bringing back the art of the roving storyteller.

Reviews

[Laura5 · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are classic easy reader books with 3 chapters of large simple text in a chapter book sized format.

(Think Henry and Mudge Under the Yellow Moon level but with black and white images and larger text in a skinny trade paperback size - looks like a chapter book, reads like a "reader")

I know a lot of early readers in my library who are going to love this series.

[Clare · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice story for budding readers about a little boy who is afraid his self-made robot costume will look silly compared to all the hired Harry Potter and Superman costumes of the other kids. But to his surprise, they like it, and he learns how to overcome nerves and disappointments to have fun with the others.

[Katt Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know this wobbly mood well. Jack made his own costume and it had seemed like a great idea at the time. But now that he's headed to a costume party with a lot of kids he doesn't know well, he's unsure of himself and feeling very wobbly inside. I like how these books explore feelings and explains them so well, in a way that kids can really relate to. Jack feels a lot like I did when I went to a Halloween party when I was about his age. How he comes to feel better about his costume and himself is honest and well done. A good book!

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great story for my 6 and 9 year olds, they could relate to both Jack and his best friend Billie.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

My five year old son is an advanced reader but most chapter books are not engaging enough for him without pictures. This is the perfect series for him. Slightly more words per page, but a still a relatively short book and illustrations dispersed throughout. I think it’s a great transition series from picture books to chapter books. A companion series is Billie B. Brown, which is about Jack’s best friend, Billie (who is a girl).

This particular story is good. I like how Jack learns not to worry too much about comparison and to see his own creativity in a new light.

[Mayra Espinoza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for children being introduced to chapter books. This is the story of Jack who is invited to a costume party and is afraid his robot costume will be bad compared to the costume of other children at the party. A great book to teach children about emotions, winning and losing, and problem-solving.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like it 5 stars because he is the winner and his name is Jack.

[Nithya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Jack's robot dress. I also love Jem.

[Paula Greenfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jack goes to a friend's party as a robot. He made the costume himself and is now worried about it.

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Both of my boys have read this book. They are seven years old and five years old. This simple chapter book is perfect for either age group. The text is simple enough that a five year old can sound out the words. It also has common sight words that is common for both kindergarten, first, and second grade. But even my 9 year old daughter loves reading these books. That being said, my kids really enjoyed this book as they have felt nervous and scared of being made fun of. As a mom, I really enjoyed this book because at the beginning of the book it shows you a picture of Jack and a feeling that they talk about in the book. It shows in the picture how the feeling can make them feel. This book talks about the wobbly feeling. I really like this this book and think that a lot of kids should check it out.

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jack is invited to a costume party and shows up in a robot costume that he made himself. Everyone else is wearing a store bought superhero costume. Jack is a worrier. What will the others think of his costume? What will happen when the kids start playing games and his costume tears? Can he possibly win any of the prizes being given away?
Part of the Hey Jack! series by Sally Rippen. this book is perfect for very young readers who are looking for chapter books.

[Andy Hickman · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 - Sally Rippin, “Hey Jack! The Robot Blues” (Richmond, Victoria, Aust: Hardie Grant Egmont, 2012).
“This is Jack. Today Jack is in a wobbly mood. He feels funny in his tummy and wobbly in his legs.” (p1)
“Jem smiles. 'Hey, everyone!' he says. 'Mum counted the votes for the best costume. The winner is Jack!'” (p43)

[Kris Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adorbs. Good choice for k-1 students ready for chapter books. #bookaday

[Mandy]

Charlie's first chapter book. 3 years 7 months old.