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Car-Jacked
Jack Mattingly is a genius. He has an IQ of 170. He speaks fluent Mandarin and Latin. And he can calculate the square root of 1,673,549 in his head. But when Jack's parents' car is hi-jacked, with him inside it, for once he's as clueless as the rest of us. The car-jacker doesn't know Jack's in the car - yet. But it's only a matter of time before he's discovered. And then anything could happen. Only one thing's for Jack's in for the thrill-ride of his life . . .A high-octane adventure from the winner of the Blue Peter Book of the Year Award.
321 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 4, 2015
11 people are currently reading
97 people want to read
About the author
Ali Sparkes
122 books145 followersAli Sparkes (born 1966) is a British children's author.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
January 5, 2018
This book had a great story. It always leaves you thinking about what could possibly happen next.
August 3, 2015
The idea of this book is so exciting that I have to admit I found the beginning a little dull. Jack’s a bit of a brat at first and his mother is completely over the top. Then comes the carjacking, which… well, didn’t go quite as I expected. For a moment I was worried this was going to be a book where everyone was deep-down really nice and even the bad things were done with the best intentions.
Luckily, I was wrong. While it’s true that most of the characters in the book are more than they first appear, there are plenty of bad sides to go along with the good. Jack especially is so much more than his genius status and I really enjoyed how his adventure unfolded. In fact I really liked him. He is very brainy, but I loved how he also learnt how to be a bit more practical along the way and got to see another side of life.
The only character who doesn’t really have much depth is Jack’s mother. She’s ridiculously very pushy and doesn’t have a lot of redeeming features. I did like Jack’s dad, though, even if he too was a bit stereotypical, being a quiet man who just tries to keep the peace.
As for the plot, what might start out a bit slow and seemingly worthy, soon switches into something quite different. Adventurous and exciting, with plenty of smart moments and a few less intelligent ones, this book is a great ride right up to the finish. Yes, all right, there are times when the fun turns a bit over the top and you do have to suspend your disbelief occasionally, but overall this is fast and fun, with a clever kid who’s a bit of a misfit finding out that there is more to him than his brain.
If you like an adventurous read where unexpected heroes try to save the day – in some less than obvious ways – then you should give this a try. Or if you just want to see the brainy kid having an adventure without changing into someone else, then Jack will definitely give you that.
(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
Luckily, I was wrong. While it’s true that most of the characters in the book are more than they first appear, there are plenty of bad sides to go along with the good. Jack especially is so much more than his genius status and I really enjoyed how his adventure unfolded. In fact I really liked him. He is very brainy, but I loved how he also learnt how to be a bit more practical along the way and got to see another side of life.
The only character who doesn’t really have much depth is Jack’s mother. She’s ridiculously very pushy and doesn’t have a lot of redeeming features. I did like Jack’s dad, though, even if he too was a bit stereotypical, being a quiet man who just tries to keep the peace.
As for the plot, what might start out a bit slow and seemingly worthy, soon switches into something quite different. Adventurous and exciting, with plenty of smart moments and a few less intelligent ones, this book is a great ride right up to the finish. Yes, all right, there are times when the fun turns a bit over the top and you do have to suspend your disbelief occasionally, but overall this is fast and fun, with a clever kid who’s a bit of a misfit finding out that there is more to him than his brain.
If you like an adventurous read where unexpected heroes try to save the day – in some less than obvious ways – then you should give this a try. Or if you just want to see the brainy kid having an adventure without changing into someone else, then Jack will definitely give you that.
(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
October 8, 2015
I enjoyed this book. It's well written and exciting, and it kept me engrossed right to the end.
The story is of 12-year-old Jack, a "boy genius" who becomes involved in the adventures of a criminal who steals a car with Jack in it. An involved chase ensues, avoiding capture in order to confront and confound the Mr Big who is behind it all. It's very enjoyable: it has to be said that the plot is absurdly implausible and depends on so many strokes of good luck that you need to suspend disbelief from a pretty high point, but that's fine in a book like this and I think readers of around 12 years old would love it.
There's more to it than just an exciting crime caper, too. Ali Sparkes is very funny at times, and the opening couple of pages are brilliant, I thought. Her portrait of an over-pushy, over-protective mother is a bit of a caricature but makes the point well and with humour, and the message about the importance of things other than achievement and self-improvement is well made.
I didn't think this was a real classic, but it's a very enjoyable read with plenty to make you laugh and some serious content too, and I can recommend it.
The story is of 12-year-old Jack, a "boy genius" who becomes involved in the adventures of a criminal who steals a car with Jack in it. An involved chase ensues, avoiding capture in order to confront and confound the Mr Big who is behind it all. It's very enjoyable: it has to be said that the plot is absurdly implausible and depends on so many strokes of good luck that you need to suspend disbelief from a pretty high point, but that's fine in a book like this and I think readers of around 12 years old would love it.
There's more to it than just an exciting crime caper, too. Ali Sparkes is very funny at times, and the opening couple of pages are brilliant, I thought. Her portrait of an over-pushy, over-protective mother is a bit of a caricature but makes the point well and with humour, and the message about the importance of things other than achievement and self-improvement is well made.
I didn't think this was a real classic, but it's a very enjoyable read with plenty to make you laugh and some serious content too, and I can recommend it.
April 16, 2016
This is a must-read book and I have left numerous positive reviews on sites. Car-Jacked grips and guides you the while way through dramatic, emotional, shocking and eye-widening scenes. I hope this action-packed adventure will make it to the movies in future years. Ali Sparkes is a genius (like Jack)! Gripping. This book grips and hooks your mind, heart and soul. It makes your eyes rain and stare wide; your other senses switch off to welcome the words. When Ross McAllister steals the Mattingly family’s car, he doesn’t mean to kidnap boy genius - Jack Mattingly - who was hidden from view under the blanket in the back seat. Soon, McAllister discovers the boy and, despite the thief’s reputation, Jack is whisked away on a wild adventure dressed in numerous disguises to save a tortured brother trapped in a room with fading oxygen. £100,000 is the price, and with £4700 unattainable, can lives be saved? Or is everything not as it seems? This book is a must-read to fulfil the reader’s life forever and I rate it 10/10!
May 25, 2017
What a fantastic book! Full of action and adventure, really exciting, but makes you think. Jack and Ross are great characters and it's really interesting to see how their relationship develops. It's full of twists and turns with never a dull moment. Highly recommended!
January 16, 2019
It was very interesting and excitingly at times for example when the car got jacked and the boy was still in the back and also towards the end when the police all running in and shot the guy who stole the car at the star.i think this was a very good book and I enjoyed it a lot.
April 16, 2017
This is a very good book that I would definitely recommend! It's fast paced and really keeps you on your toes, as well as being full of twists and turns! A real page turner!
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April 26, 2019I really enjoyed this book and thought it was really interesting. The genre of this book is an action/adventure story and it isn't in a series. The story was very interesting and I thought the plot line was very good and the ending was also very good as it answered all your questions. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes adventure stories.
February 27, 2017
What fun! Fast-paced adventure with humour - I so enjoyed this! Fans of Alex Rider will like this, and Jack is not such a macho character that girls won't enjoy this too. An excellent contender from the Children's Book Award shortlist!
October 15, 2024
Car-Jacked by Ali Sparkes is a fast-pace book filled with unexpected adventure, craziness and more.
Jack Mattingly’s car gets stolen but the thief dose not know that Jack is still in the car. While the thief wants to get rid of him, Jack insist to help him, releasing that the thief is not all bad and is only taking action because his brother is being blackmailed. But as the story takes a turn and the tables start to rotate only Jack would have the power to stop everything one and for all.
This book is a tight adventure as Jack trys to help the thief and sabe him before it is to late…
Overall, I recommend this book for avid readers of all ages that what to have a little thriller in their lives and what to experience the adventure that a stolen car can lead to.
Jack Mattingly’s car gets stolen but the thief dose not know that Jack is still in the car. While the thief wants to get rid of him, Jack insist to help him, releasing that the thief is not all bad and is only taking action because his brother is being blackmailed. But as the story takes a turn and the tables start to rotate only Jack would have the power to stop everything one and for all.
This book is a tight adventure as Jack trys to help the thief and sabe him before it is to late…
Overall, I recommend this book for avid readers of all ages that what to have a little thriller in their lives and what to experience the adventure that a stolen car can lead to.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 24, 2021
Action packed but hilarious
I wasn’t quite sure where this story was going at first but I enjoyed the ride! Jack accidentally gets abducted when a car theft goes wrong, his parents are manic (his Mum quite literally) but the longer he spends with Ross McAllister the closer they get and the more Jack will do to help him. Dramatic and laugh out loud funny at times, this would be a great read for UKS2.
I wasn’t quite sure where this story was going at first but I enjoyed the ride! Jack accidentally gets abducted when a car theft goes wrong, his parents are manic (his Mum quite literally) but the longer he spends with Ross McAllister the closer they get and the more Jack will do to help him. Dramatic and laugh out loud funny at times, this would be a great read for UKS2.
April 26, 2024
Even after caching glimpses of some of the reviews, this didn't quite go how I expected it to.
A bit slow to start and the mother was unbearable but I do think that the way she was added some more depth to Jack.
Aside from the mother, the characters were all interesting. Overall, quite an entertaining story.
A bit slow to start and the mother was unbearable but I do think that the way she was added some more depth to Jack.
Aside from the mother, the characters were all interesting. Overall, quite an entertaining story.
July 5, 2019
What A brilliant story
I may be in my 60s but I am a great fan of Ali Sparkes’s novels and this one was absolutely superb. So beautifully crafted and written, it kept me hooked until the very last word.
I may be in my 60s but I am a great fan of Ali Sparkes’s novels and this one was absolutely superb. So beautifully crafted and written, it kept me hooked until the very last word.
November 5, 2017
Action-packed, very funny warm book. I loved the characters, their relationship and the pacy plot. Can't wait to talk about this with my reading group tomorrow.
December 11, 2017
A very good book! Very thrilling and full of action. The story is great and tells you a good moral about life.
December 24, 2017
This book was simple yet fascinating, great story line ( very original), defiantly recommend it!
April 9, 2018
A really exciting read! I was inspired to read this after meeting Ali Sparkes.
June 7, 2019
This power-packed, fast paced, and engaging novel is able to give you an adrenaline rush. A must read for all. No matter what genre you like, this book will make you fall in love with it.
March 16, 2020
Twists and turns
Fabulous book with twists and turns, kept us gripped to the end. Read to my 12 and 9 year old
Fabulous book with twists and turns, kept us gripped to the end. Read to my 12 and 9 year old
July 12, 2020
This kid is amazing he has an iq of 170. Is that possible well in the book it is.
July 15, 2020
Good book
Very good and book thrilling (like most Ali Sparkes books). Very hard to stop reading after 30% and one of the best adventure books I have ever read.
Very good and book thrilling (like most Ali Sparkes books). Very hard to stop reading after 30% and one of the best adventure books I have ever read.
November 11, 2020
An extremely well-written book for young teens. Can't fault it.
June 14, 2022
Great kids book.
April 24, 2023
I liked Jack's determination to help save Ross' brother.
November 20, 2023
It's amazing I like all the details that they put
January 6, 2024
Fabulous and thrilling
June 28, 2024
there was no need to kill him off Xx
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 19, 2024
THIS AUTHOR IS SUCH A TROLL OMG GIVE ME MY FEELINGS BACK, THIS ALMOST BROKE ME!!
July 8, 2021
This is an action packed book about 170 IQ Jack on the adventure of a lifetime. It was a very good book, but felt a little slow towards the end. Overall, though, I really enjoyed this book and would definitely reccomend it.
February 24, 2017
This was a fast adventure that had you gripped from page one. There are many twists and turns and unexpected events. The pace keeps up throughout the book. I think it would be ideal for lads to read but also girls will enjoy it too. There are some good quandaries, where survival skills are required and it makes you wonder what you would do in a similar situation.
My only qualm is the ending which contains letters which didn't quite make sense, unless you really stretch reality.
My only qualm is the ending which contains letters which didn't quite make sense, unless you really stretch reality.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews