Charlie Joe Jackson's Guide to Summer Vacation

Charlie Joe Jackson #3

by Tommy Greenwald, J.P. Coovert (Illustrations)

In this middle-grade novel, a reluctant reader faces a his worst academic summer camp.

Despite all attempts to avoid reading and extra work, Charlie Joe Jackson finds himself in a terrible dream he can't wake up Camp Rituhbukkee (pronounced "read-a-bookie")―a place filled with grammar workshops, Read-a-Ramas, and kids who actually like reading. But Charlie Joe is determined to convince the entire camp to hate reading and writing―one genius at a time.

Charlie Joe Jackson's Guide to Summer Vacation by Tommy Greenwald is another fun installment in the life of a reluctant reader.

Praise for Charlie Joe Jackson's Guide to Summer Vacation :

“This book is so fast-paced and funny that even reluctant readers like Charlie Joe claims to be should find themselves enjoying reading, after all.” -Claudia Mills, Children's Literature

“If they're not convinced, kids with an aversion to books still have a character they can relate to. An ideal choice for summer reading lists.” - School Library Journal

“Fans of Joey Pigza and Big Nate will find a lot to love here. . . A series that improves with each offering .” ― Kirkus Reviews

“Full of laugh-out-loud humor . . . . A great read.” – Booklist

Don't miss any great books by Tommy
Pete Milano’s Guide to Being a Movie Star
Katie Friedman Gives Up Texting! (And Lives to Tell About It.)
Jack Strong Takes a Stand
The Charlie Joe Jackson
Charlie Joe Jackson’s Guide to Not Reading
Charlie Joe Jackson’s Guide to Extra Credit
Charlie Joe Jackson’s Guide to Summer Vacation
Charlie Joe Jackson’s Guide to Making Money
Charlie Joe Jackson’s Guide to Planet Girl
Charlie Joe Jackson’s Guide to Not Growing Up

Genres: Humor, Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Childrens, Juvenile, Audiobook, Sports

256 pages, Paperback

First published May 7, 2013

About the author

Tommy Greenwald's book GAME CHANGER has been named an Amazon Best Book Of The Month, a 2019 YALSA Top Ten Pick for Reluctant Readers, and a Junior Library Guild Premier Selection. Tommy is also the author of the CRIMEBITERS, CHARLIE JOE JACKSON and PROJECT Z series, among many other books for children.

Day-job-wise, Tommy is the Co-Founder of Spotco Advertising, an entertainment advertising agency in New York City, and the lyricist and co-bookwriter of JOHN & JEN, an off-Broadway musical.

To read woefully outdated information about Tommy, visit tommygreenwald.com. (To send an email telling him how much you liked whatever book it was that you just read, holla at tommy@tommygreenwald.com.)

Reviews

[Jooah (Julia) · Rating 4 out of 5]

You might like to read this book if you enjoy reading comical books.

Charlie Joe Jackson goes to the camp called Rituhbukkee (pronounced "read-a-bookie") to make his parents happy. But at the camp they had to read tons of book and write lots of letters for three weeks, which were the things that Charlie Joe Jackson HATED to do the most.

If you would want to know what will happen to Charlie Joe Jackson, THEN READ IT!!!!

Hope you enjoy it!

[Elizabeth Meadows · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fun series! I really enjoy these characters.

[Minji · Rating 5 out of 5]

This boy is totally the opposite of me.

[Daniel Kornspan · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good but mushy

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first saw the words "Camp Rituhbukkee," the name of the summer camp for readers that Charlie Joe Jackson reluctantly attends, I laughed since it is pronounced "Read-A-Bookie." The story picks up right where the earlier one left off. While most of his friends are off relaxing, Charlie Joe and his own bookish friends Nareem and Katie are busy with grammar workshops and reading. Charlie Joe, of course, claims to have never read an entire book, and he and the camp director immediately butt heads. Not unexpectedly, he plans to corrupt the campers and make them dislike reading and writing. But a funny thing happens along the way during his three weeks at camp. While Charlie Joe does finally find inspiration in a book and expand his own perception of the world, he still stays true to himself while helping some of the other campers see that there is more to life than books. There are many passages that will make readers laugh aloud even while reminding them how much they can learn from others. Middle graders will appreciate the battle between some of the adults and Charlie Joe, but they'll also become fond of another influential teacher at the camp who befriends Charlie Joe.

[Jaime]

After each book in this series, I find that I like Charlie a little more. His character is developing in a very natural way for a middle school boy. In this installment of the series, Charlie is sent to summer camp. Doesn’t sound too bad—but it isn’t a normal summer camp. It is a summer camp for learning, in other words, a camp for nerds. Sarcastic as always, Charlie tells his story in a humorous and relatable fashion. Charlie has developed into a boy beginning to find interest in girls and growing as a character with each new book.

Suitability: Grades 5-8

Recommendation: Recommended

Illustrations: A few black and white sketch drawings

Genre: Realistic fiction

Would you purchase this book? Yes Why? The others are popular

Dewey Classification: REAL FIC GRE

Price: $14.99

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the minute I saw the title of the first book in this series, Charlie Joe Jackson's Guide to Not Reading, I knew it would be a hit with kids and I was right. This series is spreading like wildfire in both of my classes. So when I had the opportunity to get the 3rd book, Guide to Summer Vacation, as a review copy at NCTE, I grabbed it!
What I like is that Greenwald continues to have Charlie Joe be a schemer and always getting in trouble, but as the books have progressed, so has Charlie Joe's self-actualization. In a fun series like this, I think that would be a fine line to walk as an author but Greenwald has done a great job. Great freedom of speech and editorial writing in this last one.
Mark your calendars for May - this is yet one more book due out that month.

[Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book about a kid who hates to read is the best way to target reluctant readers. What's more, it turns out this kid is smart enough to come up with some clever plans, especially when trying to help friends. It's amazing what you can come up with when you don't have a fear of breaking customs and rules.

Another very funny book in this series. Plus, it continues to tell the story of the relationships between these kids.

[Alexia Alba · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 stars

[booksnotdrvgs · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5
and suddenly I don't remember what happens

[Jack Cibinski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charlie Joe Jackson's Guide to Summer Vacation by Tommy Greenwald. The theme of this book is probably "if you work hard at something you will achieve it." The idea the author wanted to give me was to never give up at what your doing until you succed. The book has accomplished the idea for me. The author really taught me on what to do and never to give up.

This book is about a kid named Charlie Joe and he has got sent to a summer camp by his mom. He thinks it's gonna be awesome and really fun, but it really isn't that fun at all. When he gets their he is introduced to his camp councler named Mark. This dude is really buff. This makes Charlie think that this camp will be all sports and hes gonna love it. But then later on he starts to hate it. The reason why is because the camp is actually a camp where it is all school. So basically summer school. The genre of the book is realistic fiction because any of this could happen in real life.The setting usually just takes place around the camp and in a bus. The action of the book takes place when to camps compete againts eachother in school work, and this takes place at both of the camps. These characters don't seem to made up. If I head there names in my class I would think that they are completly normal.

The strengths of this book is that the author does a great job on describing each little detail he puts in the book. He also does good in making it suspensful, so that we are bitting our nails to see what happens next. Some weaknesses are that the authors figurative language was a bit off. The choices on what he made, I sometimes didn't get. An example is that one time it was in a suspensful moment, and I thought there was gonna be some really good word choice but it was just average. I like how the author does make it seem like it is a movie and that I am watching it, and that I am really hearing the voices speak.

I would reccomend this book to the people who like funny and comical books. The reason why is because this book is super funny with funny words and actions in it. People also might enjoy it if they like suspensful books. Over all this book was pretty goog.

[Benji · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book Charlie Joe Jackson's guide to Summer Vacation is a realistic fiction book written by Tommy Greenwald. The story goes is that Charlie Joe is on summer vacation and his parents sign him up for a 3 week camp called Camp Rithuhbukke. (Pronounced Camp read a bookie.) If you have read the previous two books which I have a few years ago, you know that Charlie HATES reading. This means for the 3 weeks he will be stuck with a bunch of nerds as well as doing a bunch of other education during the time he is there. Do you think Charlie will make it out alive? The plot is ok for what it is. It’s not meant to be a serious tone it’s supposed to be realistic in some ways and knowing Charlie Joe hates reading I can accept that. That said going into this book after reading the second 3 years ago left me, disappointed. I came into the mindset of an 14 year old yet with the excitement of an 11 year old and after reading this book especially with the illustrations I found out something big. This book is to easy for 8th graders. While I may have expected the story to be good, the overall lexile is too low. I feel the illustrations are what tell readers that this is a book for more younger audiences. Overall while the story is nice I feel the illustrations and low lexile keep older audiences away from the book. Even if I was disappointed I hope to one day finish the series.

[Trevor · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book Charlie Joe Jackson's Guide to Summer Vacation by Tommy Greenwald is a book in the comedy series of Charlie Joe Jackson's books by Tommy Greenwald. Charlie doesn't do well in school and has to go to summer camp that is like summer school. He was very upset that he couldn't hang out with all his friends and have fun during vacation. He is stuck going to Camp Rituhbukkee the entire summer. Now that he is stuck at camp, he wants to change all the nerdy smart kids into cool kids, by getting them to all hate school and learning. He thinks he can get all the kids there to hate learning. Can he get all the kids to change to be like him or will he become like them? He has all summer to see if his mission works and if he can change everyone into a "cool kid" like him. I give this book an 9 out of 1o because it was pretty funny and entertains and an easy read. I would recommend this book to anyone that wants to read an easy, funny book that will make you laugh and that you can relate to.

[Valerie McEnroe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adult rating: 4 stars
Kid rating: 4 stars

Charlie Joe is a natural born leader. Even at a summer camp for book nerds (Charlie Joe hates to read), he manages to bring the other kids over to his way of thinking. When the camp director decides to take away the free swim time and replace it with another academic elective, Charlie Joe's problem solving skills kick into high gear. He uses the information he learned in a book (seriously!) and his article in the camp newspaper to spur the campers to action.

You can't help but love Charlie Joe. He just wants to be a kid and have fun, and help his friends do the same. He's got this humorous, sarcastic personality that's perfect for kids who aren't big readers (just like him). The way he dupes people without them realizing it and still manages to come out clean is awesome. He's the kind of friend everyone secretly would love to have.

[Shreya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this Charlie Joe Jackson book :) It was full of surprise. Along with Charlie Joe, I could not believe Charlie Joe was enjoying his reading! After the first book, you could tell reading was last on his to-do list. I was shocked by how outstanding Charlie Joe's essay was! It went perfectly along with the book about Lech Walesa, a man who fought for freedom, that he was currently reading. And, last surprise, I can''t believe Charlie Joe and Lauren Rubin got Rithubukkee Rewards! How awesome is that? So, to sum it all up, I have 2 words: extremely surprising. But, I loved every minute of the book! Outstanding job Tommy Greenwald :)

[Книжни Криле · Rating 5 out of 5]

„Наръчник на Чарли Джо Джаксън за лятната ваканция” (изд. „Студио Арт Лайн”) е, цитирам, „най-добрата книга за Чарли Джо, заедно с другите две”. Как и защо хлапето, сътворило наръчника „Как да не четеш” се озовава в летен лагер „Ридъбуки“ (което се като „прочети книга“ на английски)? Възможно ли е Чарли Джо най-накрая да е паднал по гръб? Сломен от родителското тяло, образователната система и суровата реалност?Прочетете ревюто на "Книжни Криле": https://knijnikrile.wordpress.com/202...

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charlie Joe goes to Camp Rituhbukkee—a camp filled with "nerds"—where he's forced to participate in reading and writing workshops. As he spends more time with these kids and becomes friends with them along the process, he suddenly finds himself enjoying the things he professes to hate. If I were in his position, I would love to attend this camp. It seems like a good balance of fun and learning.

***Learning to Love, and Loving to Learn***

[clarita · Rating 2 out of 5]

bastannte lleno de estereotipos, piensa que puede hacer que a los pibes les guste leer, logra literalmente todo lo contrario, vieron esos libros de autoayuda que te dicen que sonrías más? es algo así pero con la lectura, trata de convencerte de que leer es para chicos cool!! y lo único que hace es decirte que si lees sos un pelotudo.

[Enter Name · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was kind of boring, but also cool at the same time. The thing that bothered me the most was that the plot was all over the place. They could be somewhere doing something then on the next page be doing a COMPLETELY different thing. Other than that the story was pretty interesting.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

The best part of this book is not the main character, Charlie Joe, who I still hated for being a slacker who hates reading. The best part was the rivalry between the two summer camps: one for nerds who read and the other for stupid jocks. I thought that was very funny.

[Jo-Z · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was pretty good. I would NOT want to spend my summer like this

[Camryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome. One curse word, though.

[Ilenuca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny. The romanian edition has some forced translations.

[Coreia G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was really relatable. I liked it. It is really funny.

[Joran · Rating 5 out of 5]

♡😆

[Learn_with_me.07 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A funny book with lots of action and interesting themes.

[Eileen McCoskey · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[Kyra Osborne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a wonderful book speaking of topics of summer camp and how to fall in love with reading, this book is what got me back into reading.

[Error · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one is probably my favorite in the series. 8.5/10

[Alisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very fun, lighthearted involve pictures over all very easy to read