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Hey Jack! #2
The Scary Solo
Jack’s best friend got the solo that he wanted, and he’s a bit mad. But when things go wrong on concert night, can Jack save the day?
48 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
4 people are currently reading
95 people want to read
About the author
Sally Rippin
784 books224 followersSally 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.
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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 31, 2014
When Jack freezes up at auditions for the school concert, his best friend lands the solo instead. Despite his initial jealousy, Jack is a good sport and helps Billie prepare. But when there's trouble at the concert, Jack has a chance to really step in and save the day.
This early reader is a good introduction to overcoming jealousy and working as a team. Jack is a very sympathetic character, and his actions at the end will likely have some kids cheering. Although the text is very large, and the book weighs in at only 44 pages, it has fewer pictures and longer words than the average early reader, so it may be better for slightly more practiced students.
This early reader is a good introduction to overcoming jealousy and working as a team. Jack is a very sympathetic character, and his actions at the end will likely have some kids cheering. Although the text is very large, and the book weighs in at only 44 pages, it has fewer pictures and longer words than the average early reader, so it may be better for slightly more practiced students.
March 13, 2025
Jack is so excited about trying out for the school concert and he is hoping to get a solo. His best friend, Billie, goes with him for moral support. Unfortunately, Jack gets stage fright during the audition and is unable to sing a note. So Jack doesn't get his solo, but Billie gets one instead. Jack goes through a lot of big emotions and is not a good friend. Fortunately, they are able to talk about it and their friendship remains strong and healthy. However, the tables are turned during the performance and Jack not only gets his solo, but provides Billie with the support she needs at that time. A wonderful friendship story that early readers will find engaging and will leave them interested in reading more stories about Billie and Jack.
May 20, 2022
Jack feels excited, but a little bit sick, his legs feel shaky, and he's in a jittery mood.
Jack wants to try for a solo in the school concert. He likes singing but he's too shy to try it out by himself so he asks his best friend Billie to stand with him while he sings.
Miss Winters calls 'Next, please.' She's in charge of the school concert and today she will choose the children for the solo parts.
Jack walks onto the stage. Billie follows and stands next to him. Jack gets ready to sing, but, he feels nervous and wobbly. He hops from one foot to the other like he has ants in his pants. The music starts but when he opens his mouth, nothing comes out! Miss Winters smiles kindly, 'Perhaps you can be in the chorus, Jack. Now, Billie, are you trying out too?' Billie nods. The music starts and Billie sings loudly and clearly. She gets to do a solo in the concert. Jack is cross and sad at the same time.
Jack had a monster in his tummy that made him shout, 'It's only a stupid school concert!'
Billie turns to Jack and says 'That's mean.' Jack and Billie don't talk for the rest of the day. Soon the grumpy monster in Jack goes away and he apologised to Billie for being mean. They are best friends forever.
All the next week Billie practices for her solo with Jack. They sing everywhere, in the kitchen, in the bathroom, in the garden and in the house.
The day of the concert arrives. Jack and Billie are wearing the shiny silver tops all their grade is wearing on stage. They wait while the other grades do their songs. Billie and Jack practice quietly while they wait.
Billie stands in front, ready to sing her solo. 'Go, Billie!' Jack whispers. The curtains open. The music starts. Billie lifts up her microphone but no sounds come out. He knows what she's feeling. He runs to stand next to Billie. He grabs the microphone and holds it between himself and Billie. He begins to sing. The music starts up again. Soon they are both singing.
Jack feels a big warm burst of sunshine in his chest. He is a star!
Jack wants to try for a solo in the school concert. He likes singing but he's too shy to try it out by himself so he asks his best friend Billie to stand with him while he sings.
Miss Winters calls 'Next, please.' She's in charge of the school concert and today she will choose the children for the solo parts.
Jack walks onto the stage. Billie follows and stands next to him. Jack gets ready to sing, but, he feels nervous and wobbly. He hops from one foot to the other like he has ants in his pants. The music starts but when he opens his mouth, nothing comes out! Miss Winters smiles kindly, 'Perhaps you can be in the chorus, Jack. Now, Billie, are you trying out too?' Billie nods. The music starts and Billie sings loudly and clearly. She gets to do a solo in the concert. Jack is cross and sad at the same time.
Jack had a monster in his tummy that made him shout, 'It's only a stupid school concert!'
Billie turns to Jack and says 'That's mean.' Jack and Billie don't talk for the rest of the day. Soon the grumpy monster in Jack goes away and he apologised to Billie for being mean. They are best friends forever.
All the next week Billie practices for her solo with Jack. They sing everywhere, in the kitchen, in the bathroom, in the garden and in the house.
The day of the concert arrives. Jack and Billie are wearing the shiny silver tops all their grade is wearing on stage. They wait while the other grades do their songs. Billie and Jack practice quietly while they wait.
Billie stands in front, ready to sing her solo. 'Go, Billie!' Jack whispers. The curtains open. The music starts. Billie lifts up her microphone but no sounds come out. He knows what she's feeling. He runs to stand next to Billie. He grabs the microphone and holds it between himself and Billie. He begins to sing. The music starts up again. Soon they are both singing.
Jack feels a big warm burst of sunshine in his chest. He is a star!
January 14, 2024
"I LOVE this book! I think it was AWESOME because Jack started singing when he was scared but he was really brave. I think Jack and Billie were a great helper to each other. I feel really really proud of them. Jack and Billie are a good example for being friends."
-Reviewed by Dani (6 years old) with guiding questions from Mom
-Reviewed by Dani (6 years old) with guiding questions from Mom
March 7, 2022
bruh why did jack say sorry to billie so fast i would’ve been pissed as fuck bro
August 22, 2023
I liked it, it was all so good - Croz
December 19, 2023
This is about a solo singing for a school concert. Jack wants to sing the solo, but his best friend gets the part. She freezes. Will Jack help her out?
April 14, 2025
Great for students just starting chapter books. Large font and vocabulary is just right for readers with learning differences.
July 30, 2016
2 - Sally Rippin, “Hey Jack! The Scary Solo” (Richmond, Victoria, Aust: Hardie Grant Egmont, 2012).
“Jack scrunches up his face and kicks the ground. He feels a big dark monster inside him grumbling to be let out.” (p15-16)
“Only two more songs and they are on! Jack fees his tummy flipping like a fish.” (p32)
“He feels a big warm burst of sunshine in his chest. He is a star!” (p42)
“Jack scrunches up his face and kicks the ground. He feels a big dark monster inside him grumbling to be let out.” (p15-16)
“Only two more songs and they are on! Jack fees his tummy flipping like a fish.” (p32)
“He feels a big warm burst of sunshine in his chest. He is a star!” (p42)
November 26, 2021
My kids all really enjoyed this book. My oldest Ginny, read this book in one sitting and really loved it. I read it with the boys. This book text is simple for a second grader to read on their own with a few stumbles. This book is so much fun. The story-line is amazing and I love how it talks about being jealous and how to help others. This book I recommend checking out for sure.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews