The Big Adventure

Hey Jack! #14

by Sally Rippin

Jack loves camping at the beach. He can sleep in a tent, make campfires and go exploring! But will his adventures take him too far? This early reader series featuring Billie B. Brown's best friend, Jack, is full of down-to-earth, real-life, fun and funny stories that boys can enjoy and relate to. With word art or illustrations on every second page, and no huge blocks of text or intimidating words, they're perfect for newly independent readers.

Genres: Childrens

48 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Sally Rippin was born in Darwin, but grew up mainly in South-East Asia. As a young adult she lived in China for three years, studying traditional Chinese painting. Sally has over seventy books published, many of them award-winning, including two novels for young adults. Her most recent work includes the highly acclaimed children’s novel Angel Creek and the popular Billie B Brown books, which became the highest selling series for 6-8 year olds in Australia within the first year of their release. Sally is Australia’s highest selling female author and her Billie B Brown books have sold more than 4.5 million copies in 14 languages.
​
Sally is a popular presenter in schools and at literary festivals both in Australia and overseas and has a regular program on 3RRR interviewing children’s authors and industry professionals. She is a passionate ambassador for the 100 Story Building creative writing centre for marginalized youth and has mentored many emerging writers and illustrators. Recently, she and her partner co-founded Story Peddlers, a hand-made performance tent that packs away into a custom-built bike, with the aim of bringing back the art of the roving storyteller.

Reviews

[Becky]

Read aloud with my 3 year old. He liked it, I think.

[Jill Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jack has a big smile, a sleeping bag, and his favourite boots and is in a happy mood. It's the school holidays and he is going camping with his family.

They have everything packed including marshmallows to toast by the campfire. Jack wants to go straight down to the beach but dad says they need him to help put up the tent first. Then he and dad go for a swim with Scraps. They throw a tennis ball for Scraps to chase. When dad says it's time to get out, Jack begs to stay longer. 'It's dangerous to go in the water without an adult,' dad adds.

They go back up to get dry. Jack's dad lies down and closes his eyes. His mum is dozing too.
How boring! Jack thinks. How can they sleep when there is a whole beach to explore?
Jack asks if he can go for a walk with Scraps. His parents agree if he doesn't go past the rockpools and if he doesn't go in the water.

They get to the rock pools that are full of interesting things. Then a little way beyond the rockpools he sees a small cave. He takes Scraps up to investigate. He pretends he's a caveman and makes a seaweed bed, shells for bowls and other fun things. Then they can see it's getting late so they decide to leave. The sand at the entrance of the cave has gone, its water now. Jack gets scared. The tide has come in.

He yells for his mum and dad but they are too far away to hear. He can't go in the deep water without an adult so Jack sends Scraps to go and get his parents.

Jack's dad comes back with Scraps. 'I was so scared Dad,' Jack burst into tears.
'We were scared too. We looked everywhere for you.' Jack hugged Scraps, 'you are the bravest dog in the world.' They went back to their campsite.

At the camp with mum and dad, toasting marshmallows, Scraps at his feet Jack felt warm, happy and cosy. Jack thinks it's great to have an adventure during the day, but at night I just want to be a kid.

[Cassie Cappelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

According to AR, this book is at a 2.6 level (second grade). It is pretty short, containing 3 chapters with 1-4 sentences a page. The pages have big font. Even though this is around the same vocabulary level as other, more common series' like Magic Tree House, there are less words, which could be beneficially for some kids.

In this particular Hey Jack! story, Jack goes to the beach with his family. They pack and make sure they are prepared. He swims in the water with his dad and is told never to swim alone. While his parents are relaxing, Jack starts to explore which leads him to find some cool animals during low tide. However, this also leads him into a cave that seems fun when the water is low. Jack and his dog play "cavemen" for awhile until they realize the water is rising and they are now stuck in the cave. He gets scared but remembers not to go into the water without his dad. He tries calling for his dad, but ends up sending his dog out into the water to find his parents. His dad comes to his rescue but makes sure to talk with Jack about how he should not have explored that far without an adult.

This particular series is usually purchased from an Usborne consultant.

[Sutton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked when they found out that the tide was coming in when they were in a cave. And it was about them going on a holiday and they went to the beach and he went swimming with his dad. Then his dad went to sleep on the sand and he wanted to go adventuring on the beach and his mom said you can't go past the rocky pools but he went past them just a little bit. He found a cave with his dog and they played caveman and then when they ended playing it he noticed that the tide was coming in and his dad said you can't go into the water without me and he was going to touch the water and he remembered he couldn't go into the water. Then he told Scrap to go get dad and dad came. (Sutton - 6)

[JoAnne Styger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm very impressed with Sally Rippin's series of beginning chapter books. Jack is a fun boy of about seven. His adventures are relatable and fun. I appreciate that the main characters respect and depend on their family and encourage positive attitudes towards towards others.

[Jordyn Wallis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book to my first grade tutoring student and she loved it! I love how there is a lot of talk about family and at the end of the story teaches a lesson through the common mistakes that children make!

[Lauren Millard · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Rating and Review given by 6 year old after reading together)

“I like this because he has marshmallows! But also because he learned a lesson and listened to not go in the water. I like when they pretend to be cavemen.”

[Laurie Mastrolia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Next book choice in my book club with my grandson. It was definitely shorter than I thought it would be, but it definitely taught a good lesson.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read with a student

[Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book!

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

My son read this book to me. It only has three chapters but for children who struggle with reading it doesn’t overwhelm them in size.

[Elena Peyton · Rating 3 out of 5]

It surprised me when Jack had the idea of putting Scraps in the water.Maybe
one day I will try that!

[Andy Hickman · Rating 4 out of 5]

14 - Sally Rippin, “Hey Jack! The Big Adventure” (Richmond, Victoria, Aust: Hardie Grant Egmont, 2014).
Jack needs rescuing after being trapped in a cave by the rising sea tide.
“Jack can hear the roar and crash of waves in the distance.” (p4)

[Sunni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book for a new reader.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short beginning chapter book for the earliest chapter book readers. Cute story about Jack and his dog needing saved from the incoming tide.

[Tayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hey Jack and Billie B. Brown books.
Great for kids as they transition to chapter books.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 'Hey Jack' series is pitch-perfect for emerging readers who like a bit of action with a great little character, and family, who is very easy to identify with.