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Jacky Ha-Ha #2
Jacky Ha-Ha: My Life is a Joke
Jacky Hart has found a hidden talent in the performing arts, and she's a triple threat onstage! She wants nothing more than to act and sing all summer – but her parents have other plans for her. Jacky reluctantly signs up for a summer job in her resort town of Seaside Heights, New Jersey, where tourists come to enjoy the beach and fun carnival atmosphere.
Now she has serious responsibilities like her job and babysitting her younger sisters, but Jacky longs to perform in the summer stock performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Can she handle all of her important commitments and still have fun with her friends – or will she learn that juggling isn't one of her many talents?
Now she has serious responsibilities like her job and babysitting her younger sisters, but Jacky longs to perform in the summer stock performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Can she handle all of her important commitments and still have fun with her friends – or will she learn that juggling isn't one of her many talents?
352 pages, Hardcover
First published October 30, 2017
265 people are currently reading
1916 people want to read
About the author
James Patterson
955 books355k followersOfficial US Site
Official UK Site
JIMMY Patterson Books
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James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time and the creator of such unforgettable characters and series as Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride. He has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton, Dolly Parton, and Michael Crichton, as well as collaborated on #1 bestselling nonfiction, including The Idaho Four, Walk in My Combat Boots, and Filthy Rich. Patterson has told the story of his own life in the #1 bestselling autobiography James Patterson by James Patterson. He is the recipient of an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.
Official UK Site
JIMMY Patterson Books
ReadKiddoRead
James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time and the creator of such unforgettable characters and series as Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride. He has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton, Dolly Parton, and Michael Crichton, as well as collaborated on #1 bestselling nonfiction, including The Idaho Four, Walk in My Combat Boots, and Filthy Rich. Patterson has told the story of his own life in the #1 bestselling autobiography James Patterson by James Patterson. He is the recipient of an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews
August 19, 2020
The first thing I want to point out is that Jacky is not funny. We'll just get that out of the way. I know it's a kid's book, but I really feel like the age group that the story is geared towards would find the jokes really lame.
My main issue with this book though is the terrible parenting and bad decision making that Jacky's parents display both in this book as well as the first. In this book all of the girls who are old enough to work are required by their parents to work all summer not to teach them responsibility, but to support the family. This is just terrible parenting. There is no reason that any parent should have their underage children supporting them. Furthermore, Jacky's parents are reluctant to allow her to participate in extracurricular activities at school because she is expected to put working and supporting the family first. No child Jacky's age should have the weight of supporting their family on their shoulders.
Another issue with this book is that when Jacky becomes reasonably suspicious of her friend who has actually stolen before she tells her father everything as she believes it to be true. It all seems legit to him so he decides to take care of this in the middle of the night and then gets mad at Jacky when it turns out to be wrong. Jacky's dad is a cop. He shouldn't be getting mad at a witness because he failed to properly investigate their claim. This also caused Jacky to be reluctant to come forward with more important information later.
In short, I don't understand why the parents were written to be so bad at parenting, and I'm fairly confident that most kids wouldn't find Jacky or her antics funny in the first place.
My main issue with this book though is the terrible parenting and bad decision making that Jacky's parents display both in this book as well as the first. In this book all of the girls who are old enough to work are required by their parents to work all summer not to teach them responsibility, but to support the family. This is just terrible parenting. There is no reason that any parent should have their underage children supporting them. Furthermore, Jacky's parents are reluctant to allow her to participate in extracurricular activities at school because she is expected to put working and supporting the family first. No child Jacky's age should have the weight of supporting their family on their shoulders.
Another issue with this book is that when Jacky becomes reasonably suspicious of her friend who has actually stolen before she tells her father everything as she believes it to be true. It all seems legit to him so he decides to take care of this in the middle of the night and then gets mad at Jacky when it turns out to be wrong. Jacky's dad is a cop. He shouldn't be getting mad at a witness because he failed to properly investigate their claim. This also caused Jacky to be reluctant to come forward with more important information later.
In short, I don't understand why the parents were written to be so bad at parenting, and I'm fairly confident that most kids wouldn't find Jacky or her antics funny in the first place.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 10, 2017
I love the little illustrations in this book; they are extremely well done, even in black & white. The print is easy to read (not too small) and the dialogue is age-appropriate. I would definitely recommend this to middle-school-aged children, as well as older audiences who would enjoy quick, humorous, light read. The main character, Jacky, of course, is a delightfully quirky character.
The only negative I could find is that the dialogue was a bit choppy in spots and there was a tad too much "so-and-so said this, then so-and-so said that..."
My copy of this book is an ARC won from a Goodreads giveaway and I appreciate the opportunity to read and review it. I would rate it about 4.4-4.6
The only negative I could find is that the dialogue was a bit choppy in spots and there was a tad too much "so-and-so said this, then so-and-so said that..."
My copy of this book is an ARC won from a Goodreads giveaway and I appreciate the opportunity to read and review it. I would rate it about 4.4-4.6
April 13, 2021
In the middle of the book, Jacky has been noticing a lot of love in the air. She has noticed that her old nemesis bubble but is not so much of one anymore. bubble butt's name is now bob, bob is being nice and wearing Calvin Klein cologne which jacky likes. Bill a boy who likes Jacky is noticing what bob is doing and feeling jealous but he doesn't know that Jacky likes bill back, and not bob. It's not only Jacky the has some interest in boys Jackys older sister Sophia is falling in love with Ms.OMara's nephew Schuyler so jacky decides to invite him over for dinner. Even more of the Hart sisters are drooling over guys like Victoria who is falling in love with Jacky's friend, Jeff, who is two years younger than victoria but it doesn't matter to her or him. Jacky wants to make sure after one of the midsummer night dreams performances that victoria gets to see jeff in his cow costume and victoria in her taffy costume but everything goes downhill from there.
November 7, 2017
This book was a Goodreads win, thank you. I received this book from Jimmy Patterson Books. I look forward to reading it and passing it onto my grandchild.
Read, cute story, I think my grand-kids will love it being military brats they will certainly like the bit about families in service to their country. Especially with the mum being a Marine in the reserves. They will relate to a parent being away.
Story, actress American mother is in London in a Shakespear play at the Globe Theater in London, she is writing to her two daughters and telling them how terrified she is of opening night, and then the story goes on to how, when she was in middle school how she got the opportunity of being in a play, a Shakespeare play and she was so scared she stuttered at the auditions. Her name is Jacky Hart, but she has been bullied because she stutters, and is called Jacky Ha Ha.
This is a funny interesting story of a mum telling her kids about the good ole days of the 1990's, and what it was like growing up in a large family and helping the family financially by going to work with a summer job. How she and her friends spend the summer, help get some bad guys and her first Shakespear play and how she learned to stop that st st stutter!
This mum does not like the English "Bubble and Squeak" for breakfast and goes on to describe it, but some one has obviously not made them right for her, because it is mashed potatoes, mixed with greens, made into potato cakes and fried, served golden brown, with fried eggs, lovely. Nothing else, no other veggies. This mum needs a better cook!
I was especially interested to read that Mr. Patterson (who's many books I have read) donates books to children and the military. Being a military brat myself, wife, and military mum I wish to thank Mr. Patterson for his generosity. Thank you Mr. P.
Read, cute story, I think my grand-kids will love it being military brats they will certainly like the bit about families in service to their country. Especially with the mum being a Marine in the reserves. They will relate to a parent being away.
Story, actress American mother is in London in a Shakespear play at the Globe Theater in London, she is writing to her two daughters and telling them how terrified she is of opening night, and then the story goes on to how, when she was in middle school how she got the opportunity of being in a play, a Shakespeare play and she was so scared she stuttered at the auditions. Her name is Jacky Hart, but she has been bullied because she stutters, and is called Jacky Ha Ha.
This is a funny interesting story of a mum telling her kids about the good ole days of the 1990's, and what it was like growing up in a large family and helping the family financially by going to work with a summer job. How she and her friends spend the summer, help get some bad guys and her first Shakespear play and how she learned to stop that st st stutter!
This mum does not like the English "Bubble and Squeak" for breakfast and goes on to describe it, but some one has obviously not made them right for her, because it is mashed potatoes, mixed with greens, made into potato cakes and fried, served golden brown, with fried eggs, lovely. Nothing else, no other veggies. This mum needs a better cook!
I was especially interested to read that Mr. Patterson (who's many books I have read) donates books to children and the military. Being a military brat myself, wife, and military mum I wish to thank Mr. Patterson for his generosity. Thank you Mr. P.
July 25, 2017
I got this book in a giveaway on Goodreads for an honest opinion. I really liked this book! I enjoy young adult and middle school fiction and this was a really fun read. Jacky "Ha-Ha" Hart is a fun, lively character. She's in a pickle this summer because her family is asking for her to get a job and help out with taking care of her little sister. If you like to read about 13 year old girls who are sassy, get into trouble and are sweet and funny too, this is the book for you! I loved the little drawings throughout the book.
July 26, 2017
If you've never read James Patterson before, now is the time. His middle-grade books are hilarious page-turners with fun characters, lots of questions, lots of drama, and interesting endings. Jacky's parents tell them all of the kids need to contribute to the family income by working jobs that summer. The adventures of working on the NJ boardwalk make this summertime read fun anytime. Who is stealing the money? And who is stealing the show at Midsummer Night's Dream?
July 3, 2017
How do I hate thee? let me count the ways:
Stereotypes
Borderline Racist
Overtly Sexist (I'M SO NOT KIDDING HERE, IT'S GROSS)
Cardboard characters
Plot that is so wacky it's too wacky for it's own good.
This book is awful. Please don't read it.
Stereotypes
Borderline Racist
Overtly Sexist (I'M SO NOT KIDDING HERE, IT'S GROSS)
Cardboard characters
Plot that is so wacky it's too wacky for it's own good.
This book is awful. Please don't read it.
October 17, 2017
Jacky had big plans for her summer, which have been derailed by her parents. Her father is working as a seasonal police officer, with the potential of getting a full-time job on the force. Her mother is going back to school to become a police officer. Jacky and her sisters must all get jobs, help with babysitting, and do things around the house. Jacky uses her talents to become a carnival game worker. She draws crowds in with her comedy routine. She and her friends are also participating in a Shakespearean production. Everyone around her is falling in love, but someone close to her is a thief. Jacky hopes if she catches the thief, she can ensure her father's position on the force.
I thought this book was fun and funny. I now get why all the kids are talking about this series.
I thought this book was fun and funny. I now get why all the kids are talking about this series.
July 1, 2017
Not as good as the first, maybe two and 1/2 stars. That said, if I had a young reader at home who got into this series, I would encourage it, as there isn't anything fundamentally wrong here. Just also nothing spectacular. The overarching theme is Shakespeare.
December 31, 2017
This book was so funny and lighthearted! All the characters were great and the main character was funny and a great narrator. I also have the biggest crush on Schuyler, who is one of the most bad ass characters in the book, like seriously he is such a doll.
October 16, 2017
I received this book as part of a HouseParty giveaway. I really enjoyed this as a book to read with my 11 and 13 year olds. We were all entertained!
October 20, 2017
Clever story. Fun for young kids to read. The storyline was simple but loved the short chapters. It made the girls feel like they were so big for reading so quickly.
October 29, 2022
4 stars 🌟 I enjoyed this novel. It was about a young girl who makes some pretty huge mistakes on summer vacation, and it doesn’t turn out too well.
But, this story has a nice message hidden inside it, that I liked. Although it contains quite a lot of pages, I got hooked to the book, and I read it all day until I finished it! This is another James Patterson book that I am proud to say, was great.
But, this story has a nice message hidden inside it, that I liked. Although it contains quite a lot of pages, I got hooked to the book, and I read it all day until I finished it! This is another James Patterson book that I am proud to say, was great.
February 25, 2022
This book is such a joy to read! I can't even fathom this context. It is all over the place and even the context is hilarious it will make you laugh for DAYS! This book is a 5/5 for me. It is relatable and so pure. Jacky Hart is full of personality and is so real to the readers. It is sometimes like you are having a personal conversation with her. I smiled, I laughed, and was in shock for most of the book. It truly is amazing!!
January 3, 2020
It was a hilarious book!!! It was a fun book to read because there was really funny things that happen in the book.
December 25, 2017
Jacky Ha-Ha is in London for a performance and that makes her reminisce about the first time she performed in a professional Shakespearean production. She was 12 and up for the roll of Puck in the Jersey Shore production of A Midsummer’s Night Dream. The only problem she didn’t prepare for the roll. A cute story about Jacky Ha-Ha’s childhood and the fun she had growing up in New Jersey.
May 6, 2018
68%
I loved the sequel to Jacky Ha-Ha almost as much as I did the original!! I usually stick to YA books, but this cute duology was so much fun to read! this book is definitely more on the funny side and less on the coming-of-age side, but it was still enjoyable!
Jacky Ha-Ha: My Life is a Joke went by super quickly! it's a lot different than the first book because Jacky is a lot more mature now, so there's a lot less character growth going on. but we do get to see her really use her talent for her summer job and FOR A LEADING ROLE IN SHAKESPEARE, so that was cool! all of her sisters were in this book too, and I really enjoyed seeing all of them interact with each other again, the family part of this duology is super cute!
overall, I thought this book was great, just like the last one, but it was definitely a lot more light-hearted than the first book. loved this series!!
I loved the sequel to Jacky Ha-Ha almost as much as I did the original!! I usually stick to YA books, but this cute duology was so much fun to read! this book is definitely more on the funny side and less on the coming-of-age side, but it was still enjoyable!
Jacky Ha-Ha: My Life is a Joke went by super quickly! it's a lot different than the first book because Jacky is a lot more mature now, so there's a lot less character growth going on. but we do get to see her really use her talent for her summer job and FOR A LEADING ROLE IN SHAKESPEARE, so that was cool! all of her sisters were in this book too, and I really enjoyed seeing all of them interact with each other again, the family part of this duology is super cute!
overall, I thought this book was great, just like the last one, but it was definitely a lot more light-hearted than the first book. loved this series!!
November 12, 2017
A great sequel
December 6, 2017
I got side tracked and forgot about this book for a few days. But once I started reading it again it was a quick read for me. I won a proof copy before the final version went on sale, so some drawings were not finished yet. Overall it is a good story about kids working summer jobs and taking care of each other because of bullying and some petty crimes are solved too. It is also about Jackie getting her dream part in a play. Kids will like it.
December 31, 2017
I do think its odd that she's telling this story to her kids, but honestly?Thats doesn't keep this story from being an EPIC BOOK!!!
November 9, 2017
3.5/5 stars.
Good book, the story was boring at first. It was predictable usually, but the jokes saved it.
The focus on love was cool.
Ringworm's character was done very well in it, making a great villian.
I enjoyed it, great sequel.
Good book, the story was boring at first. It was predictable usually, but the jokes saved it.
The focus on love was cool.
Ringworm's character was done very well in it, making a great villian.
I enjoyed it, great sequel.
December 2, 2017
I wanted to love this one as much as I did the first, but the ending felt sort of rushed and a little confusing. Had it been fleshed out, I would have given it 5 stars.
I loved both of these SO much and I absolutely devoured them over a few days. I doubt there would be more written in this series (not sure where they'd go next) but part of me still wants to know even more about Jacky's crazy adventures!
I loved both of these SO much and I absolutely devoured them over a few days. I doubt there would be more written in this series (not sure where they'd go next) but part of me still wants to know even more about Jacky's crazy adventures!
December 4, 2017
This book is great! I was surprised there was a sequel to the original book, but this one is just as good as the first; it's so funny, and very entertaining so I couldn't put it down! This is definitely worth the read.
December 5, 2017
The reason I picked up this book is because I read the first one in this small but growing series. It defianly spoked my intrest. With that in mind I read this book in three days.
May 17, 2020
What a page turner
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November 14, 2018 Jacky Ha-Ha by James Patterson is a funny, heartwarming story. It is the first time I have read this book, and I loved it! It is the second book from a series. The first reason why I loved this book so much is because of the humor. This story tells loads of it. It starts off with a girl named Jacky and her comedian self. She soon finds her passion, and that is Shakespeare. She starts making jokes with some of the lines that she has to memorize for a performance she and her friends are going to perform. Another reason why I like this book is because of the drama. Aside from the performance and the night jobs her parents have, she has to deal with her “friend” Schuyler robbing stuff and spraying Graffiti. If you really like to read a funny, heartwarming, drama book series, I recommend this book and series to you!
December 5, 2017
Reading James Patterson's middle-grade books while loitering in stores is one of my guilty pleasures, and so far Jacky Ha-Ha's had a great track record. I'll admit I'm somewhat biased. The performing arts are a major part of my life, so I'm inclined to like books that feature them prominently.
This particular volume tackles Shakespeare, which might be a turn-off for some. I strongly recommend against it. For one, the play in question is actually not Romeo and Juliet for once. It's A Midsummer Night's Dream, which seems to get a lot less screentime in middle grade literature. That said, it's considerably mushier than the original. Nothing that caused me to dock stars, though, because all of it tied back in with the Shakespeare, and they made sure to teach the kids all the good Shakespearean insults. Also of note, the story is narrated by an adult Jacky to her daughters. I read this over the course of a few trips to the grocery store, so it was easy to forget that the narration was by an adult Jacky to her two daughters, How I Met Your Mother style. She repeatedly will address her children as "girls," which was a little jarring when you're a grown man loitering in a Kroger reading kids' books thinking she was talking to me. It's honestly not bad for boys, though, if they can get past being called girls every half dozen chapters. If they're going to read anything mushy, it might as well be something that teaches you what casting directors look for in an actor.
In short, very good book. If there's a third, good luck beating out the first two for quality.
This particular volume tackles Shakespeare, which might be a turn-off for some. I strongly recommend against it. For one, the play in question is actually not Romeo and Juliet for once. It's A Midsummer Night's Dream, which seems to get a lot less screentime in middle grade literature. That said, it's considerably mushier than the original. Nothing that caused me to dock stars, though, because all of it tied back in with the Shakespeare, and they made sure to teach the kids all the good Shakespearean insults. Also of note, the story is narrated by an adult Jacky to her daughters. I read this over the course of a few trips to the grocery store, so it was easy to forget that the narration was by an adult Jacky to her two daughters, How I Met Your Mother style. She repeatedly will address her children as "girls," which was a little jarring when you're a grown man loitering in a Kroger reading kids' books thinking she was talking to me. It's honestly not bad for boys, though, if they can get past being called girls every half dozen chapters. If they're going to read anything mushy, it might as well be something that teaches you what casting directors look for in an actor.
In short, very good book. If there's a third, good luck beating out the first two for quality.
May 29, 2023
Jackie Hart was an insecure stuttered as a child, but once she discovered acting, she gained confidence and blossomed. She grew up to be a famous comediane and a star on the long running comedy sketch show, "Saturday Night Live".
The two Jackie Ha Ha novels are both written as letters to her children recounting a story about her childhood. Each story recounts an episode with great success after a long series of screw ups. The stories portray the thoughts and feelings of a twelve year old in believable fashion and engage readers both young and old. Because they are set in the 1990's she often stops to explain the outdated technology of the day to her daughters. These humorous descriptors of landline corded phones, boomboxes, and Sony walkmans among other things being a nostalgic smile to those of us who lived through that era. I eagerly await a sequel.
The two Jackie Ha Ha novels are both written as letters to her children recounting a story about her childhood. Each story recounts an episode with great success after a long series of screw ups. The stories portray the thoughts and feelings of a twelve year old in believable fashion and engage readers both young and old. Because they are set in the 1990's she often stops to explain the outdated technology of the day to her daughters. These humorous descriptors of landline corded phones, boomboxes, and Sony walkmans among other things being a nostalgic smile to those of us who lived through that era. I eagerly await a sequel.
September 28, 2018
I really thought that a James Patterson novel would be a good choice. I thought that James Patterson writing a MG female perspective funny novel would be great, the Middle School series is brilliant, but WOW was I wrong :(
I usually have a 3 chapter rule, If it's no good for me by then, I'm out. As the chapters in this were short I thought I'd give it a bit longer. Page 58 (end of chapter 11) and I KNOW that this is not going to do it for me.
I'm sure that some people will enjoy this novel, just not me :(
I usually have a 3 chapter rule, If it's no good for me by then, I'm out. As the chapters in this were short I thought I'd give it a bit longer. Page 58 (end of chapter 11) and I KNOW that this is not going to do it for me.
I'm sure that some people will enjoy this novel, just not me :(
Want to read
July 31, 2017i don,t read it yet
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews