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Jackie's Jokes
In this humorous series, eight sisters must fend for themselves when their parents strangely vanish. But now they must handle another taxing mystery. Jackie’s turn! Book four in this exciting series! April has finally arrived. How lucky of Jackie to have such a lovely month to tell her story. It starts off with fun and laughter on April Fool’s Day, and then all the beautiful flowers start to bloom and then . . . Wait a minute. April fifteenth. That’s not a fun day. That’s the day every working person dreads—Tax Day! Of course, the Eights have never had to worry about taxes. Their parents always took care of everything. But as we all know, their parents are gone (or dead). Who will take care of the taxes now? Luckily, Pete the Mechanic is on their side. He’ll help them face down the tax man. But what’s really interesting is what the girls will discover while taking care of their parents’ taxes . . .
140 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 20, 2009
40 people are currently reading
216 people want to read
About the author
Lauren Baratz-Logsted
54 books469 followersLauren grew up in Monroe, CT, where her father owned a drugstore at which her mother was the pharmacist. She is a graduate of the University of Connecticut at Storrs, where she majored in psychology. She also has what she calls her “half-Masters” in English from Western Connecticut State University (five courses down, another five to go…someday!).
Throughout college, she worked semester breaks as a doughnut salesperson, a job that she swears gave her white lung disease from all the powdered sugar she breathed.
Upon graduation, she began work at the venerable independent spacebookseller, now sadly defunct as such, Klein’s of Westport. There, she bought and sold for the better part of 11 years.
In November 1994, Lauren left the bookstore to finally take a chance on herself as a writer. Success did not happen over night. Between 1994 and May 2002 – when Red Dress Ink called with an offer to buy THE THIN PINK LINE – Lauren worked as a book reviewer, a freelance editor and writer, and a window washer, making her arguably the only woman in the world who has ever both hosted a book signing party and washed the windows of the late best-selling novelist Robert Ludlum.
Since Red Dress Ink’s call in 2002, Lauren has been kept very busy with writing more novels and checking her Amazon ranking on a daily basis. She still lives in Danbury, with her husband and daughter, where she has lived since 1991.
In addition to writing, Lauren’s daughter keeps her busy, accounting for the rest of her time.
Lauren’s favorite color is green.
Lauren’s favorite non-cat animals are penguins.
Lauren wants you to know that, however you are pronouncing her last name, you are probably pronouncing it wrong.
Throughout college, she worked semester breaks as a doughnut salesperson, a job that she swears gave her white lung disease from all the powdered sugar she breathed.
Upon graduation, she began work at the venerable independent spacebookseller, now sadly defunct as such, Klein’s of Westport. There, she bought and sold for the better part of 11 years.
In November 1994, Lauren left the bookstore to finally take a chance on herself as a writer. Success did not happen over night. Between 1994 and May 2002 – when Red Dress Ink called with an offer to buy THE THIN PINK LINE – Lauren worked as a book reviewer, a freelance editor and writer, and a window washer, making her arguably the only woman in the world who has ever both hosted a book signing party and washed the windows of the late best-selling novelist Robert Ludlum.
Since Red Dress Ink’s call in 2002, Lauren has been kept very busy with writing more novels and checking her Amazon ranking on a daily basis. She still lives in Danbury, with her husband and daughter, where she has lived since 1991.
In addition to writing, Lauren’s daughter keeps her busy, accounting for the rest of her time.
Lauren’s favorite color is green.
Lauren’s favorite non-cat animals are penguins.
Lauren wants you to know that, however you are pronouncing her last name, you are probably pronouncing it wrong.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
December 28, 2014
Another great addition to the eights adventure! And the prologues continue to be a great feature of each book - finding a unique way to say the same thing about what happened in previous adventures, yet still feel engaging. And the prologue in book 4 did not disappoint. It has nice interactions with the reader - pointing out that the book is talking to the reader. I think kids will really like this aspect, especially because it uses this technique to recap the story without being boring and involves them in the story too. There is also still lots of wit and humor throughout the book. And this book brings in some interesting turns in the storyline and the mysetry deepens as well. The powers are also turning out to be really cool – things kids would dream about. Very engaging!
September 10, 2011
It's amazing how quickly Thursday and Friday fly by when you know you are going to see your CPA on Saturday.
Talk about a sentence I never thought I'd read in a book, much less in one that's meant for children. I'm starting to think that this series, written collaboratively by a mom, dad, and their daughter, is a way for the mom and dad to impart future adult knowledge to their daughter in a fun, girly, octuplet package.
(Hmm.)
Talk about a sentence I never thought I'd read in a book, much less in one that's meant for children. I'm starting to think that this series, written collaboratively by a mom, dad, and their daughter, is a way for the mom and dad to impart future adult knowledge to their daughter in a fun, girly, octuplet package.
(Hmm.)
October 25, 2012
Can't remember library books ever having had such heavy usage at our house! In three weeks, I've read the series once, but C is halfway through a third round already!
May 24, 2019
I’ve enjoyed this book the most of the entire series!
December 17, 2025
she said flash but make it girl and BETTER
June 15, 2012
This is the fourth book in the Sisters Eight series by Lauren Baratz-Logsted, Greg Logsted, and Jackie Logsted. Our oldest daughter discovered the first book of this series recently at our local library and fell in love immediately. We've borrowed the next few books in the series and she's read several of them quickly in succession.
We actually read this book together, but for some reason, I would quickly fall asleep while reading it. I guess I just didn't enjoy this book as much as the others. Or it just didn't lend itself to reading aloud. In any case, I told her that she should read the remaining books on her own. I think we'll both enjoy the stories more that way.
Our oldest also visited the Sisters Eight website and took the "Which 'Eight' Are You?" Quiz (in the Sisters tab) and discovered that she's most like Jackie. So she was very excited to read this book. Now she's got her sister interested in which eight she would be (perhaps Zinnia.)
I found the story to be strange, but interesting and I can see that this series would appeal to a young elementary school-age child just getting into reading longer chapter books. The story occasionally interacts with the reader, usually foreshadowing dramatic parts that will follow later in the book. The book has a suspenseful and mysterious plot and I think that the series will keep my oldest enthralled the whole way through.
The stories have a pattern that is both predictable (it's even mentioned in the story) and reassuring. In each book, one of the eight girls discovers her power and gets a gift within the span of a month - the series order goes from the oldest to the youngest octuplet. So with this book we are about half-way through the series (although I did notice there is a ninth book, so we'll have to see what that's about.)
I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series and discussing the stories with our girls.
We actually read this book together, but for some reason, I would quickly fall asleep while reading it. I guess I just didn't enjoy this book as much as the others. Or it just didn't lend itself to reading aloud. In any case, I told her that she should read the remaining books on her own. I think we'll both enjoy the stories more that way.
Our oldest also visited the Sisters Eight website and took the "Which 'Eight' Are You?" Quiz (in the Sisters tab) and discovered that she's most like Jackie. So she was very excited to read this book. Now she's got her sister interested in which eight she would be (perhaps Zinnia.)
I found the story to be strange, but interesting and I can see that this series would appeal to a young elementary school-age child just getting into reading longer chapter books. The story occasionally interacts with the reader, usually foreshadowing dramatic parts that will follow later in the book. The book has a suspenseful and mysterious plot and I think that the series will keep my oldest enthralled the whole way through.
The stories have a pattern that is both predictable (it's even mentioned in the story) and reassuring. In each book, one of the eight girls discovers her power and gets a gift within the span of a month - the series order goes from the oldest to the youngest octuplet. So with this book we are about half-way through the series (although I did notice there is a ninth book, so we'll have to see what that's about.)
I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series and discussing the stories with our girls.
June 26, 2010
I'm still loving this series, and after the cliffhanger ending on this one, I hope the next one is quick in coming!
For those of you who are keeping count, the powers so far are:
Annie - Incredibly Smart (Can do anything an adult can - very useful for eight girls whose parents are missing - or dead)
Durinda - Can freeze anyone (except Zinnia) by tapping her leg three times and then pointing
Georgia - Invisibility
April is Jackie's month, and to prepare for it, she decides to cut her long hair off, and get an attactive "bob" haircut. At first everyone thinks it's a horrible April Fools joke, but then some are quite jealous because of how good it looks. This time the big issue the girls have to deal with is Tax Day. It will take the combined strengths of all, and the help of Pete the mechanic (a.k.a. "Uncle Pete" when they're in public together) to get the job done.
There's a ton of action in this one and the cliffhanger ending will leave clamouring for the next one!
For those of you who are keeping count, the powers so far are:
Annie - Incredibly Smart (Can do anything an adult can - very useful for eight girls whose parents are missing - or dead)
Durinda - Can freeze anyone (except Zinnia) by tapping her leg three times and then pointing
Georgia - Invisibility
April is Jackie's month, and to prepare for it, she decides to cut her long hair off, and get an attactive "bob" haircut. At first everyone thinks it's a horrible April Fools joke, but then some are quite jealous because of how good it looks. This time the big issue the girls have to deal with is Tax Day. It will take the combined strengths of all, and the help of Pete the mechanic (a.k.a. "Uncle Pete" when they're in public together) to get the job done.
There's a ton of action in this one and the cliffhanger ending will leave clamouring for the next one!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 24, 2012
I liked the book, but in the beginning of the book it was April 1 so everyone was playing practical jokes on each other. Some of the jokes were funny but others weren't. I like how Jackie's power allows her to be faster than a speeding train. I thought it was weird how the note behind the loose stone in the drawing room said "beware the other eights." I like how Annie's gift was a ring, how Durinda's gift was a pair of clip on earrings, how Georgia's gift was a little pocket mirror, and how Jackie's gift is a cape.
September 14, 2012
On January 1st Annie, Durinda, Georgia, Jackie, Marcia, Petal, Rebecca, and Zinnia’s mommy and daddy went missing. While Mommy is making eggnog, and Daddy is collecting fire wood, they mysteriously disappear. Octuplets all alone! In order to find Mommy and Daddy they must discover their powers. Annie finds her power and gift, super smarts and a purple ring, Durinda’s power and gift are, freezing people (except Zinnia) and green earrings, Georgia’s power and gift are invisibility and a gold compact. In April just wait for Jackie’s, hers is totally different!
February 10, 2016
fourth book in the sisters eight series ... pretty on par with the rest of the series. this one gets point for being the only kids book i can think of that makes a plot point out of tax day and for the cliffhanger ending.
February 4, 2014
8 sisters. Names: Annie to Zinnia.
Parents have disappeared.
Each girl has a super power.
It wore me out, but think young girls might enjoy the fun and fantasy.
The girls find mysterious notes that have been left to them under a stone.
Parents have disappeared.
Each girl has a super power.
It wore me out, but think young girls might enjoy the fun and fantasy.
The girls find mysterious notes that have been left to them under a stone.
May 2, 2020
I love 💘it
Best series ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!it is a book like no other...the first book really makes you want to keep going and hopefully you write another series even better!
Best series ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!it is a book like no other...the first book really makes you want to keep going and hopefully you write another series even better!
Read
April 28, 2010LOVE IT!!!
December 12, 2010
so cute!
April 9, 2016
I love all the sisters eight.
July 2, 2012
I like the book a lot, but the same thing happens in every book.
One of them finds a power and their gift.
It didn't really go anywhere that much, but they had little adventures that I enjoyed.
One of them finds a power and their gift.
It didn't really go anywhere that much, but they had little adventures that I enjoyed.
July 8, 2012
Alert ahead ... CLIFFHANGER ENDING!
The beauty of discovering a series later on. We're inching closer and closer to four stars.
The beauty of discovering a series later on. We're inching closer and closer to four stars.
July 8, 2012
Would love to have Jackies power
August 31, 2013
I absolutely LOVE every book in this series so far. Fun characters and a cool story. I love it. I have read this books so rapidly, I am reading the one a day. I look forward to Marcia's month.
November 15, 2013
Jackie's power is speed. She can do things really fast.
September 18, 2014
Another great book in the entertaining Eights series.
February 27, 2015
"What & AWESOME cliffhanger and the mystery about whos leaving the notes & what about the other 8s?''
January 7, 2016
it was cool i wish i was like jackies speed because her power is to run super fast i thought that was cool
February 28, 2016
F
G b b h h b h h h h h j j j ::) :/ n n n nn
G b b h h b h h h h h j j j ::) :/ n n n nn
April 23, 2018
Addictive series reaches book 4 and continues to entertain with its great sense of humour and slow reveals, I have basically said it in previous entries, but it continues to entertain.
September 11, 2018
Funny, silly, exciting. A great instalment in this engaging series for young children.
March 8, 2020
Another fun one with the kids!
October 22, 2023
This book has little conflict. It is just Jackie enjoying her new power, the sisters going to the big city, and all of them dealing with taxes. The big city is obviously New York. The sisters don’t know what country or region they live in, but since the author is from Connecticut, it is obviously New England, and the big city has hot dog carts.
Jackie herself isn’t as interesting as her sisters. Jackie has no flaws in comparison to her very flawed sisters. She shares the same name as the author’s daughter Jackie, and feels like a self-insert. She is literature smart, with a big vocabulary. Before this book, Jackie’s hair was too similar to Zinnia’s, but then she gets a little bob which is vaguely French, honoring the last name of Huit. Jackie gets super speed, with none of the drawbacks usually associated with super speed.
This book isn’t my least favorite of the series. Nothing happens for the majority of it, but the ending is probably the best out of all of the books. There is a great reveal of “the other Eights”. Who are the other Eights? Where are they? What are they? This mystery dominates the rest of the series, and is almost the equal of VFD in shocking reveals.
Awards for Jackie:
Mary Sue Alert!
Most likely to be a fan of Harry Potter.
Best hair.
Will probably be a university professor in adulthood.
Jackie herself isn’t as interesting as her sisters. Jackie has no flaws in comparison to her very flawed sisters. She shares the same name as the author’s daughter Jackie, and feels like a self-insert. She is literature smart, with a big vocabulary. Before this book, Jackie’s hair was too similar to Zinnia’s, but then she gets a little bob which is vaguely French, honoring the last name of Huit. Jackie gets super speed, with none of the drawbacks usually associated with super speed.
This book isn’t my least favorite of the series. Nothing happens for the majority of it, but the ending is probably the best out of all of the books. There is a great reveal of “the other Eights”. Who are the other Eights? Where are they? What are they? This mystery dominates the rest of the series, and is almost the equal of VFD in shocking reveals.
Awards for Jackie:
Mary Sue Alert!
Most likely to be a fan of Harry Potter.
Best hair.
Will probably be a university professor in adulthood.
March 14, 2017
Both my daughters love this new series starring eight eight-year-old sisters, mystery, adventure, and a huge dose of humor. The Huit sisters live in an unusual house, shared with eight unusual cats. In the way of multiples, the sisters find ways to distinguish themselves from one another, and Baratz-Logsted has done a brilliant job of imagining the conflicts and the joys of sisterhood. The set-up allows for each sister to discover a new and unexpected capacity within herself.
April Fools is suitably foolish. But this time the Eights have to struggle with a problem normally left to adults: taxes. The horror!
Highly recommended to fans of The Penderwicks, Nancy Drew, Scooby Doo, and any child who's ever thought about what it would be like without those parents around.
April Fools is suitably foolish. But this time the Eights have to struggle with a problem normally left to adults: taxes. The horror!
Highly recommended to fans of The Penderwicks, Nancy Drew, Scooby Doo, and any child who's ever thought about what it would be like without those parents around.
September 30, 2023
Jackie's jokes was about a girl named Jackie who finds her power which is to run very fast. In the book the siters find out that their principal is working with one of their enemies. The sisters also have to find out what is taxe day or the taxe man will get them. My favorite part was at the beginning when it was April fools day.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews