Hit the Road, Jack

by Mimi Thebo

Jack is determined to find his missing father. He tracks him down to the seamy side of town and an underworld that has no place in modern society. A second thought-provoking book from this lively new author. A wonderfully original story to follow this author’s debut novel as a children’s author, Wipe Out. As in Wipe Out, the book follows a child through a difficult journey, but humour and hope spreads through the novel, giving it that feel-good factor at the end. Jack decides to track down his father when his mother announces she is to re-marry. Jack is a bit of a geek – he’s a whizz-kid; into nutritional values of food and goes to a school for gifted children. It’s this that introduces the element of humour to the novel, through his friendships at school with other equally gifted kids. During Jack’s search, he befriends a homeless Big Issue seller, plus dog, and a Black soul singer – soul music is a feature of the novel. The two men try to dissuade Jack from finding his father, since they know he lives with the a ‘no-good bunch of hobos’ who live on the streets, funded by crime and even child abuse. Written in Mimi Thebo’s distinctive voice, this second novel is sure to attract attention.

160 pages, Hardcover

Published February 2, 2004

Reviews

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It’s a YA book but I would have also thought suitable for younger teens too. Jack missed his father and wasn’t sure why his mother was preventing him from seeing him. He sneaks out in an attempt to find him and meets a whole group of characters, expanding his views of the world. When he does find his father, living on the streets and crippled by addiction, he begins to remember the domestic abuse his father subjected his mother and himself as a small child and realises his mother is trying to protect him. His actions lead to a crisis but through it he cements his new friendships and finds his tribe.