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Jack & Tilly #2
Jack & Tilly
The sequel to Daniel Kelley’s enchanting story A Dance with Tilly, Jack & Tilly is a 51,000-word novel set 18 months after the original tale.
Invited to Professor Schnabel’s home for tea one Sunday afternoon, Jack and Tilly unintentionally discover three brass keys hidden underneath a sundial in the professor’s garden. As 15-year-olds sometimes do, the pair then goes more than a little nuts, searching every corner of the house for the locks the keys might open, while ignoring and annoying their host. In anger, the professor then accidentally utters the name Clara in front of Tilly, who has never been told of what Jack once witnessed.
Tilly demands answers from Jack. And once Jack chooses to share, the two of them decide together to research Clara’s history, despite the professor’s stern warnings not to do so. As Jack struggles to achieve balance in the various worlds he inhabits, outside forces as well as strange new tensions between him and Tilly threaten all that he holds dear.
Captivating as well as strikingly adventurous, Jack & Tilly is a warmly told tale of exploration and discovery – not only of Jack’s external world, but of all the wondrous machinations that can take place inside a 15-year-old boy’s head. Sit back, relax, and savor every minute spent with Jack Wharton and Tilly Spence, for there is much that is magical in Marblehead, particularly where Jack and Tilly go.
Invited to Professor Schnabel’s home for tea one Sunday afternoon, Jack and Tilly unintentionally discover three brass keys hidden underneath a sundial in the professor’s garden. As 15-year-olds sometimes do, the pair then goes more than a little nuts, searching every corner of the house for the locks the keys might open, while ignoring and annoying their host. In anger, the professor then accidentally utters the name Clara in front of Tilly, who has never been told of what Jack once witnessed.
Tilly demands answers from Jack. And once Jack chooses to share, the two of them decide together to research Clara’s history, despite the professor’s stern warnings not to do so. As Jack struggles to achieve balance in the various worlds he inhabits, outside forces as well as strange new tensions between him and Tilly threaten all that he holds dear.
Captivating as well as strikingly adventurous, Jack & Tilly is a warmly told tale of exploration and discovery – not only of Jack’s external world, but of all the wondrous machinations that can take place inside a 15-year-old boy’s head. Sit back, relax, and savor every minute spent with Jack Wharton and Tilly Spence, for there is much that is magical in Marblehead, particularly where Jack and Tilly go.
156 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2015
6 people want to read
About the author
Daniel Kelley
357 books18 followersDaniel Kelley is an author and a music arranger. His fifth novel, Raffle Ticket, was published in October 2016. Nearly 700,000 books of Daniel’s compositions and arrangements have sold worldwide, and over 30,000 of his e-books have captivated readers. With lyricist JoEllen Doering, he also composed the music to the classic holiday song, “It's Christmas Time Again”.
Daniel mosaics, bakes constantly, annoys practically everyone with puns, is a massive EDM fan, and loves playing games of any kind, though Hearts is his current fave. In 2016, a mosaic of his won the Best of Show monetary prize at the Los Angeles County Fair. He and his wife Cynthia have three children and too many fish. Adair, Darcy and Adele are the names of the children.
Daniel mosaics, bakes constantly, annoys practically everyone with puns, is a massive EDM fan, and loves playing games of any kind, though Hearts is his current fave. In 2016, a mosaic of his won the Best of Show monetary prize at the Los Angeles County Fair. He and his wife Cynthia have three children and too many fish. Adair, Darcy and Adele are the names of the children.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 30, 2016
Jack Wharton has developed a friendship with Professor Schnabel, his neighbor, from the across the street. Jack also attends Ralston Academy, an all male institute, with his best friend Bobert McCloan. Their arch nemesis is Smithson and his goon companions Peter and John. Jack's girlfriend is Tilly Spence, who goes to Marblehead High School, and also helps out with the family restaurant. While having tea at Professor Schnabel's home, Tilly and Jack make a startling discovery three antique keys. Now both Jack and Tilly upset Professor Schnabel that they're both very sorry for their behavior. Will Professor Schnabel forgive them? Where do the keys belong? Your answers await you in Jack & Tilly.
This lighthearted sequel definitely shows much more of the story. The characters and story are flawed in a good way, real, honest, compelling, and down to earth too. Mr. Kelley strikes the right balance of sweet and suspenseful moments. This author is among my must read and buy list.
This lighthearted sequel definitely shows much more of the story. The characters and story are flawed in a good way, real, honest, compelling, and down to earth too. Mr. Kelley strikes the right balance of sweet and suspenseful moments. This author is among my must read and buy list.
October 2, 2021
Great book
January 12, 2016
Jack and Tilly is the continuation of A Dance with Tilly, written and published by the author a while back. However, if you have not read that book, you can still read this one, as it reads like a stand-alone book. In this book, Jack and Tilly, both high schoolers, are good friends. They probably would like to be more than friends, but they are too young for that. Both become enmeshed, early on in the story, in the mystery surrounding the house of the professor who lives across the street from Jack. After finding keys beneath a sun dial in the yard, Jack and Tilly begin hunting within and around the house to determine what they unlock, and to find out more about the old house. Added to this mystery is an element of paranormal, carried over from the earlier book. The story winds its way through several twists and turns to a somewhat predictable ending. Though I had generally figured out the ending early on, I still found it interesting to see how the author was going there. The characters are well developed and interesting. The story line and plot are well thought out and developed, though, as I said, had figured them out early on. Likewise, I enjoyed reading more about this duo and am also familiar with the setting, which I love, so found that also to my liking. This is not a very long book, so can be read in one sitting or in a short time. I think anyone who enjoys a good, short sweet story, with a teenage, budding romance, a bit of mystery and a quick dose of paranormal will enjoy this one. I received this from Library Thing to read and review.
December 17, 2015
Jack and Tilly is based in Marblehead, Massachusetts. The story feels like I am transported there. I am going to have to make a trip there.
Jack Wharton along with his girlfriend Tilly discover three keys at Professor Schabel's house. Soon they are off on an adventure that is wonderfully told. In the process, they both find out more about themselves. Their relationship strengthens to each other as well as to those around them. As with all of the authors books this book does not disappoint. Always thought provoking and a deep character development. I just did not want the story to end. You must read Jack and Tilly!!!
August 3, 2016
A wonderful addition to the first book in the series, "A Dance With Tilly"! Jack Wharton is now 15 and maturing with each page. I loved the relationship between Jack and his father and also the blossoming relationship with Tilly. Daniel Kelley does it again with his beautiful words, weaving a story of innocence and adventure into your heart. I would definitely recommend this coming-of-age story to all ages!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews