Jack: The True Story of Jack and the Beanstalk

(Fairly) True Tales Series

by Liesl Shurtliff

Jack has always been told that giants are not real. But if that’s the case, how do you explain the huge, foot shaped pond in the yard, or the occurrence of strange and sudden storms in which the earth quakes and dirt rains from the sky? When his father is carried away in such a storm, Jack gives chase in the only logical way: by trading the family cow for some magic beans that will give him access to a land beyond the clouds. He arrives to find that the giants themselves have giant-sized troubles. With the help of an overachieving little sister, a magic goose and a chatty cook (who is not interested in grinding human bones into bread, thank you very much!) Jack sets out to save his dad and save the day.

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Fairy Tales, Adventure, Fiction, Retellings, Childrens

304 pages, Hardcover

First published April 14, 2015

About the author

Liesl Shurtliff is a New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of books for young readers. Her books include RUMP, JACK, RED, and GRUMP, all part of the (Fairly) True Tales series from Knopf/Random House, and the TIME CASTAWAYS trilogy from Katherine Tegen/HarperCollins.

Liesl was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah, with the mountains for her playground. Before she became a writer, Liesl graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in music, dance, and theater. She now lives in Chicago with her husband and four children. Visit her online at www.lieslshurtliff.com and @lieslshurtliff everywhere.

Reviews

[Tabitha Olson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a companion to Rump, so it's not necessary to read Rump first. But it might be helpful because Rump introduces some of the characters in Jack.

The cover art is perfect! It portrays Jack's personality amazingly well. He's mischievous and lively, and great fun to read about. He's a typical older brother to his sister, so there are lots of bumps and spats in their relationship. It's handled really well, is funny, and has plenty of growth by the end.

The world is incredibly vivid. I clearly saw things through Jack's eyes, and felt like I was on his adventure with him.

My eleven year old son read this book with me, and he loved it as much as I did. We are eagerly awaiting the next book, even though it's going to be a looooong wait.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jos jedno zabavno prepricavanje poznate bajke. Na momente strasno, na momente srecno, puno avanture prava bajka.

Plus iako nije sa strane price vazno da ste citali Rump, odlican nacin povezivanja ove dve knjige.

Znaci ista preporuka ko i za Rump, odlicno stivo sve jedno dal ste sete ili odrasli. Slobodno procitajte.

[Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rump is still my favorite in this companion series. But I did love how characters from Rump were in this book. I thought it was a creative twist on Jack and the Beanstalk. I loved the author's note at the end and the way Shurtliff combined two tales into this one story. Very creative and fun. It's a hit with the kids I nanny too (ages 8,9).

[Niki (nikilovestoread) · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kids and I are enjoying reading our way through this series of fairy tale re-imaginings by Liesl Shurtliff. I think Rump has been our favorite so far, but it was fun to see the world through Jack's eyes in a very different way.

[Ayşenur Nazlı · Rating 5 out of 5]

Çok güzeldi, sanırım serinin en güzel kitabı buydu :')
Yarın da bölüm başlarındaki alıntıları çeviririm, sonra bu da dizgi yolcusu 😌

[Mel (Daily Prophecy) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars, adorable! :) http://thedailyprophecy.blogspot.nl/2...

Last year I read Rump and I enjoyed it, so when I saw this book on Netgalley I knew I had to request it. I thought this book was even better, because there was more action and adventure. Jack is, like his mother always calls him, a ‘naughty little boy’ and I thought it was a perfect portrayal of a young boy. Add pixies, elves, giants, magic, mystery and a quest for his lost father and you’ve found yourself an engaging Middle Grade story.

And don’t you just love the cover?

Jack loves mischief and people always look at him when something is wrong. So when their crop is disappearing, everyone points their fingers at Jack. He is innocent this time and when he sees his father taken by giants, Jack knows who is taking their food. Their mother doesn’t believe him, so Jack trades their cow for beans and goes after his father into the world Above. Annabelle soon meets up with him and despite Jack’s complaints, he is more than happy to have her help.

I think Liesl really captured the right voice for Jack. His personality truly felt like a playful boy who likes to trick people. He teases his little sister and he is always up for adventure. He is a likable kid and it’s great he sets out to find his father. I liked his dynamic with his family and mainly his little sister. Annabella is a sweet girl and I like that she had her own special role in the story. Her talent with animals and Pixies definitely helped in the quest to save their father.

The world Above is detailed and vivid. I liked how she set up the giant world and the people who live there. Jack’s new ‘mother’ Martha was adorable and this is one of the first times where not all giants are evil. We only have to deal with the King who is destroying two worlds with his greed. The conclusion to this problem was nicely done. It was perfect for the tone of the story; that you don’t have to be heroic to be a hero.

This is a wonderful book to read together with your children, but it also delivers enough to enjoy if you are older.

[Duchess Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was just as good as Shurtliff's first bookRump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin, maybe better. Full of adventure, family love and the loyalty of friends, it's a fast paced page turner. I read this to my three daughters and it was a hit all around. Fantastic new author for the middle-school aged kids...and their fiction loving parents.

[The Reading Countess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another fractured fairy tale from Liesl Shurtliff. I enjoyed it, though not as much as her Bluebonnet book Rump. The first half was a little slow for me, and Jack's thoughts and behaviors felt a little contrived. I wondered if Liesl was trying too hard to capture the naughty boy-like qualities that her Jack had. Once again, if you read closely, you can spot other nursery rhymes and fairy tales within this one. I did enjoy the story, and think that the intended audience will like it even more. Wondering what's next for this author? Little Red Riding Hood...

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too superficial and light, for more than three stars for me, but I can def. see reasons to enjoy and recommend it. It does get better as it goes along, as our boy learns some things about family, heroism, impulse control....

Found it on Friends of the Library shelf. A bit long, I may or may not read the companion Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin but I'm unlikely to read the others.

[Jon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Random House for allowing me the awesome opportunity to be on the blog tour for Jack! I absolutely loved this book, it was such a refreshing and engaging retelling that readers of all ages will love. YOU need this book in your life!



[book-info]

Jack by Liesl Shurtliff is one of the best fairy retellings I've ever read and it's an extremely engaging, adventurous take on the classic tale. Everything about this one screamed read me and I had to stop myself from flying through this book because I wanted to savor it. The voice is so strong in this book as is the humor that it's nearly impossible not to be charmed by Jack and Annabella. Once you climb up the beanstalk, there's no backing down.

Jack's father has always told him about his great, great, great great grandfather Jack who slayed a giant and is the hero of countless stories. The problem is that Jack has never had a chance to go an adventure like the ancestor he's named after. When Jack's father is carried off by a giant who lives in the sky, no one seems to believe young Jack despite all of the evidence. It's up to Jack and Annabella (his sister) to rescue their dad from the giants.

What Jack succeeds at is delivering all the thrills of the classic Grimm tale, while still managing to be surprising with refreshing twists. Readers, young and old, will be enchanted by Shurtliff's take on the story and it's even more magical than any rendition I've ever read before. This is the kind of book that will engage any reluctant reader and make them say: "One more chapter." This novel is incredibly adorable and is just so much fun to read.

I absolutely loved the relationship between Jack and Annabella because it was so realistically developed and true. No matter how much the two fought and teased each other, it was easy to see the love the two have for each other. I loved how Jack and Annabella would do anything for each other and to help their papa out. The family dynamics in this novel are so wonderfully crafted and I loved watching the relationships enfold.

Though Jack is a companion to Rump, it's not necessary to read it prior to Jack and this novel does work on its own. I haven't read Rump yet but almost immediately after finishing Jack, I had to add it to my TBR list. I can't wait to read Rump and I have a feeling it's going to be absolutely amazing. There's also a third companion called Red about everyone's favorite caped heroine and I'm extremely excited for that one also.

Jack is such a wonderful book and I wouldn't trade this book for all the beans and cows in the world. This is the book readers have been wishing for and this is an adventure they'll never ever forget. Jack is a perfect book for anyone who's ever wished for an adventure and longed to find some magic.This review was originally posted on Bookish Antics

[Kami · Rating 3 out of 5]

- I liked Rump a lot, so I was excited to read more of these, but this one was a little disappointing. It wasn't as good as Rump.

- I wish the story has strayed from the original a little more.

- I really like that the giant world was the same world as Rump. It was really fun to see old characters come back.

- I liked the characters a lot. I like Jack and his sister, and I liked their relationship.

- The story was a little slow at times. I think the pacing was just off.

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

If Jack and the Beanstalk is your fairy tale of choice then this is the retelling for you. My only problem with the story is that I kept comparing it to the author's first book Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin which I LOVED. Jack just didn't appeal to me the way that Rump did. I look forward to reading future books by this author.

I requested and received a digital galley of this title from the publisher through edelweiss.

[Michele Knott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the way Liesl Shurtliff takes us into the fairy tale worlds. She developed another great character for us in Jack. While the story is moved forward through a quick plot, it's the character development I liked the most. I loved Jack's spunk and determination and the internal conflict he constantly battles when trying to decide what's expected of him and what's right.
This is a book that I will happily reread!

[Rachel Rooney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think the title pretty much speaks for itself, but just in case... Jack's village has been decimated by giants. They have stolen crops, animals, people, even whole homes and businesses. A peddler sells Jack a giant bean that grows into a giant beanstalk, and that's when the fun begins.

I thought this book was very clever, and I liked how Shurtliff tied it into her previous novel, Rump. It was a lot of fun.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My two boys LOVED this book! They begged me to read more every night, and because I enjoyed the book I often gave in. We had so much fun reading this as a family, and cant wait to start the next one.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this aloud to my two younger siblings and we all loved it! we laughed at almost every thing that happened, from the pudding incident to the toad named Gusta.

[Drew · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

The walls of the giant castle rose above me like endless mountains and cliffs.



As with Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin, this was a very cute, very easy to read, and very MIDDLE GRADE book. I think if I'd read this six years ago I would have loved it, but now that I'm a bit older, I find the writing and plot too simple for my taste.

That's not to say this book was bad—it had quite a few delightfully funny scenes and some great messages about being worth enough even if you're small, but I don't know . . . it was almost too cute. I know a lot of the language would appeal to younger audiences; in fact, I read this book aloud to my little brother and he giggled and squealed in all the right places. But at my age, most of the jokes fell a little flat and they kind of felt immature. I did enjoy Jack: The True Story of Jack and the Beanstalk, but I think my reading experience wasn't the best because I was a little older than the target audience.

I've been writing about my (minor) negative feelings for this book so far, so it sounds as though I didn't like it very much, but that isn't the case at all. Jack: The True Story of Jack and the Beanstalk is actually quite good. It has a hearty, adventurous spirit, and you can tell the author is an incredibly creative and imaginative person. There were also a surprising number of heartfelt scenes, and Liesl Shurtliff explored the subject of parents, naughty boys, and courageous characters very well.

This book was a lot of fun to read, and once again I loved how Liesl Shurtliff not only focused on retelling the story of Jack and the Beanstalk, but combined many little snippets from other fairytales as well. There were references to Rumpelstiltskin, The Golden Goose, Thumbelina, and many more.

If you're a younger reader, or if you enjoy middle grade books, then I'd highly recommend Jack: The True Story of Jack and the Beanstalk to you—I'm sure it will be just what you're looking for. I guess what I've been trying to say is it would be hard for me to recommend this book to anyone other than children or preteens—although if I got the chance I would recommend it to every kid I know. The story is full of positive, relatable characters who are great role models. Take Jack, for instance. At first glance you may think he's just a big prankster, and his sister Annabella might seem like a snooty know-it-all, but it is gradually revealed through their actions that both children have hearts of gold.

There was nothing so great about Jack, not more than anyone else. He wasn't a knight or a soldier. He was a common man, a poor farm boy, just like you. But the thing that made Jack different was that he saw the small things, the things other people didn't notice.

This was a great, fun little read, but now that I'm an older person I just prefer my middle grade books a little less silly and light, a little darker, so they will appeal to older audiences as well—like A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness.

[Denae Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

Reader thoughts: I kept comparing this book to Half Upon a Time because they were so similar.

Both were set in a fairytale world and were a Jack and the Beanstalk retelling (mostly). Both's MCs were a mischievous and clever boy Jack (12 years old in both, I think) named after his many-times-great grandfather. Both were marketed to the same group (Middle-Grade fantasy) and funny. Half Upon a Time was funnier and wittier, but both books ended very well.

I loved the growing relationship between Jack and his little sister. Jack basically despised her at first, thought of her only as a tattletale and too small to do anything. Later, he's forced to admit that she is better at some things than he is (like talking to pixies or charming cats).

There is a strong theme running throughout the book that you don't have to be big or great to get things done (or be a hero, or do something important, etc.). This theme crops up between Jack and his little sister ("You're too little to do anything") and between the "elves" and the "giants."

The scale was a bit off. If Jack is the size of a giant's thumb, wouldn't he be about as big as a chicken egg? Yet, he sat in pudding and was nearly swallowed by mistake. He could ride a mouse and use a needle for a sword. Somehow a giant's chicken's egg yolk could fit into his pocket. How does that work? Wouldn't it be as tall as his waist? There were a few "small" things like this that made me rather skeptical.

A giant frog "wrapped its tongue around Jack's sister," but frog tongues don't do that! Granted, frogs aren't twice our size either.

There was a part where Jack said, "Lay down," and he nearly died because he used the word "lay." Ha! I guess proper grammar can keep you safe. Next time, maybe he'll say, "Lie down."

I loved the ending! Of course giants are going to use their own ropes to get out of the sky (why step on a beanstalk?). Which means, of course, Jack has to come up with his own way to defeat the giant king. Yuck.

Other retellings mentioned: Tom Thumb, Thumbelina, Old Woman who Lived in a Shoe (13 children!), Cobbler's Elves, Rumplestiltskin, possibly Midas, and possibly Cinderella (pumpkins as large as carriages!).

Writer thoughts: Authors of retellings consider every element of the original tale. What do you keep? What do you change? What do you reject altogether?

LS kept most things. We still have Jack, a cow traded for beans, mother tosses beans out window, a beanstalk, a giant castle in the clouds, a fowl lays golden eggs, and a giant chases Jack back to earth.

She changed some things. The beans were giant, not just magic. Jack climbed the beanstalk to save his papa, not for adventure. The sky contained a whole kingdom of giants, not just a castle or single family. The giants did not eat people just made them slaves. The goose was a chicken. Jack did not chop down the beanstalk to kill the giant at the end.

She added some things. The giants had attacked first and stolen Jack's village (and papa). The giant kingdom was under a famine (which is why they stole food). The giant king was greedy but had married a generous wife. Jack's sister's entire role in the story was new, too.

It was well put together and made a fun, clean tale. I'll check out the author's other books.

[Missy LeBlanc Ivey · Rating 5 out of 5]

AR POINTS: 10 READING LEVEL: 4.4
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This 296 page fantasy novel is based on two separate folklores: 1) Jack and the Beanstalk, and 2) Jack the Giant Slayer, and is the third book in The (Fairly) True Tales Series by Liesl Shurtliff. I chose this book to fullfill as my "fantasy novel" (#9/52) reading challenge for 2019 and I have a few grandkids who will also really enjoy reading this book.

What incredible hidden lessons for young people and full of adventure and humor to boot. It shows the value of working together, persevering, and thinking outside the box to solve problems, no matter how small or large or important or insignificant one is. And it shows the consequence of greed, or idolizing something that can't sustain, such as gold, which the giant king idolized so much it was his undoing and cause of death. Of course, the younger kids may not see all of this in the story. They may just enjoy the adventure.

The giant king's infatuation over gold was causing the famine in the land of the giants. He had his magician turn a hen into a hen who lays golden eggs on demand. And every golden egg drew resources from the earth. Well, you can't eat gold, and you can only reap what you sow.

After Jack had finally found his papa, they sat talking, trying to figure out what was cursing the land of the giants and causing the giants to enter the "Below" and ravage and steal the small farms of their food and animals and people to work as slaves for their own survival. The king believed he owned everything, from the giant's world above the clouds and the small people's world below the clouds. He was fat and glutinous and greedy. He was not going to worry about the famine as long as he, himself, had plenty of food no matter how it was obtained. Jack asked his father if growing was powerful. His father replied (I LOVE this because it is truly magical when you think about it):

"Very powerful...from one tiny seed you can grow a tree as big as the giants. Now that's magic if you ask me." (p. 235)

...he wasn't only talking about the growth of seeds, but also of the human spirit and many other things in life. So many positive lessons and an enjoyable read for the young and old.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

*This review was completed by my 12 year-old daughter for the website Mother Daughter Book Reviews.*

This book tells the true story of Jack and the beanstalk. Jack always craves for adventure. One day the giants come down to his world wrecking his town and stealing food and farm animals. However, the giants have taken something very important to Jack. He finds himself and his little sister Annabella in the world of the giants where everything is massive, trying to take back what is his.

The main characters are Jack and Annabella, who are brother and sister. Jack is very adventurous but never gets any fun, that is until he climbs up the beanstalk into the world of the giants. Annabella is Jack’s younger sister, when she realizes Jack is missing she goes off to find him, in the world of the giants.

One of my favorite parts was when a giant picked Jack up and brought him to the kitchen where she worked. It was funny because she assumed that she could just claim him like she did with Tom (who is a person the same size as Jack an who Jack meets in the kitchen). The good thing though is that Jack and Tom become friends and then Tom tries to help Jack find what he needs.

I learned that there are types of books called fractured fairy tales which are basically a different story of a fairy tale.

The cover was pretty good. If I were in a book store or library looking for a book and if I saw this one, I would probably choose it because the cover is cool. I thought the book was really exciting and I liked how in the story, not all giants were mean. I think girls and boys 8-12 would like this book.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll admit I was skeptical that the fairy tale of Jack and the Beanstalk could be expanded into a full length book. Turns out, I had nothing to worry about. Shurtliff has done a great job of fleshing out Jack's story. He builds a detailed world for both Jack and his family on the ground and for the giants in the sky. He gives the legend an original back-story - why did Jack really sell the cow? Why do the giants really want to catch people? I was amazed that a middle grade book could draw me in as this book did. Jack finds himself in some tight situations but nothing that will be too scary for younger readers. It also has some good lessons - presented in a fun way. Kids might not even realize they're learning something!

Jack is a wonderful story full of suspense and adventure that kids will love.

[Mrs. Fornero · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Rump and Jack is a great follow-up. I especially enjoyed the connection made between the 2 stories, although Rump himself does not appear in Jack.. I love how Liesl Shurtliff reimagines these classic tales and makes the characters relatable to the modern reader. The giant definitely lived up to his reputation of being heartless and violent at times but I cheered on Jack the small as he defeated the odds in a big way!

[Kevin Lanahan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another fun retelling of a fairy tale, expanding on the world created in Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin, with many characters reprising roles from that story, and characters introduced that could be in new stories.

[Leilani · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a really weird twist. I actually liked how the author tied the story in with Rump. It was really interesting to find out that the people in the first book were actually the giants and I was not expecting it. It also raised some questions for me. So is Jack an elf or normal sized? I really enjoyed this story and I hope others also check it out.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was action-packed! At first I was missing all of the humor from Rump but then I couldn't stop reading. Perfect length and lots of fun… Can't wait to hand it to all of my fractured fairy tale lovers! And can't wait for Red to come out in a few weeks!!!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute! Combined several fairytales into one story. Mentions of Rumpelstiltskin, Thumbelina and The Woman Who Lived in the Shoe.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a wonderful adventure! I love how Shurtliff has opened herself up to the option to pen us a whole host of retellings all based in this world she has created. Well done!

[Dia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun way to change up Jack and the Beanstalk. I am recommending this to my 10 year old.

[Davidv42]

It was a really good book that was full of adventure and was really funny.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ellie is reading for the Pizza Hut reading challenge in November...krb 11/3/17

Ellie is looking forward to Grump coming out near her birthday...krb 12/12/17