Stuff Happens: Jack

Stuff Happens

by Tony Wilson

4 boys, 4 stories, 4 great Australian writers in an important new series.

Stuff happens sometimes.

Everyday stuff.

At school, at home, with sport, with mates.

For Ned it happened with a new teacher.

For Sean it happened starting at a new school.

For Michael it happened when he thought he was disappointing his parents.

For Jack it happened when a game at recess went wrong.

120 pages, Paperback

First published July 23, 2014

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Reviews

[Adele Broadbent · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jack and some of his classmates are left to play on the EBO (E B Watson Oval) across from their school at morning tea time. Their teacher takes the other kids back across to school, saying he’ll be back in ten minutes. Ten minutes is a long time when you decide to play a forbidden game including tackling, and Jack suddenly ends up injured.
But the wrong person is blamed and left to face the consequences. Will Jack tell the truth? But if he dobs in the person, will they miss out on the famous football team coming to school on Friday?

This was one of four stories in a series about when 'stuff happens'.
Jack - is a great story about consequences, guilt, honesty and mates, and a little football for good measure.

[Creative Kids Tales · Rating 4 out of 5]

Soccer-mad Jack loves inventing new games to play with his mates, but when a schoolyard game of You Play, You Pay goes wrong, Jack ends up with a broken arm. Jack and his friends lie to the school principal about what actually happened, to avoid getting into trouble.

Friendships are tested, and Jack and his mates eventually realize that they have to accept responsibility for themselves and tell the truth.

Throughout the story there is an emoticom chart that indicates Jack’s mood at the end of each chapter.

A sporty tale for young boys, aged six to ten, which will help them understand and value their own emotional feelings.

Reviewed for Creative Kids Tales by Kathy Creamer

[Judy Wollin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jack invents a great game he plays with his friends at school. The trouble is, it is a tackling game, and not allowed. Jack’s arm is broken, and he doesn’t tell the truth when asked about the game. His friend is in big trouble for being rough with Jack and breaking his arm.

How will Jack sort this out?

I enjoyed the dilemma Jack found himself in. It was one that all kids experience. Jack learned from the experience as would a young reader.

Recommended for 8+

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is going to be a great series for Primary School libraries.

Another quick read, especially good for reluctant readers.

This one has a great message about telling the truth, but isn't as funny as Stuff Happens: Ned, by Andrew Daddo.

Both the books do a great job of showing Teachers through a child's eyes - and also showing that they are human, too.

[Anita W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun exciting. You never know what will happen next. Also it's in the library!

[Fiona Mackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good one in the series. Tackling games are not allowed at school, but the game Jack invents includes tackling, and his arm gets broken. He blames Fadi, and the rest back him up, lying to the principal....

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually read 'Stuff Happens - Ned' by Andrew Daddo. Ned starts a new school year and it takes a while for Ned and his teacher to see eye to eye. A quick, realistic read. Year 4 and above. PF.

[Dale · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story about the importance of truth and friendship.