Jacky Ha-Ha

Jacky Ha-Ha Graphic Novels #1

by Adam Rau (Adapted by), James Patterson, Chris Grabenstein

"Adapted from James Patterson's #1 bestselling story, this hilarious and heartwarming graphic novel introduces Jacky Ha-Ha, a class clown who makes people laugh with her so they can't laugh at her! With her irresistible urge to tell a joke in every situation--even when it's a bad idea--Jacky Ha-Ha loves to make people laugh. And cracking wise helps distract her from thinking about not-so-funny things in her life, like her mom serving in a dangerous, faraway war, and a dad who's hardly ever home. But no matter how much fun Jacky has, she can't entirely escape her worries. So one starlit night, she makes a promise to keep her family together ... even if she has to give up the one thing that makes her happy. But can she stop being Jacky Ha-Ha, if that's who she really is?"--Provided by publisher.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Middle Grade, Humor, Realistic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Comics, Childrens

230 pages, Hardcover

Published May 4, 2020

Reviews

[Ian Hrabe · Rating 1 out of 5]

If 3 men writing a story about a tween girl (the one woman involved is illustrator Betty Tang, whose work is fine and who is exempt from the impending criticism) wasn't bad enough, when one of them is James Patterson it's just like, what are we doing here? This is based on Patterson's ghostwritten kids series of the same name and it...well, it just plain sucks. I know he's not writing these "James Patterson and " books, but this FEELS like what a 73 year old imagines life is like for a 21st Century tween girl, and it's just so weird. There are so many references that are dated, or borderline inappropriate. Not in the sense of being lewd or anything, just references that shouldn't be in a kids book. Maybe I'm biased because I have carpal tunnel from years of shelving Patterson's endless bibliography at both Half Price Books and the library, but yeah, hard pass.

[Mina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this because my 10 year old granddaughter checked it out on my library card and I want to know what my kiddles are reading.
A pretty good story. Intended for the middle school crowd I think, but I enjoyed it also. I liked that there was a complete family and they were dealing with real challenges, but it wasn't too heavy (though I was worried for a bit).

[Agibbs1978 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great graphic novel!!!!!

[RH Walters · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 7yo and I were captivated by this story and I got lumps in my throat twice reading it out loud. A gratifying whim from the library stacks, with moments of recognition from awkward youth.

[Brittny's Book Talk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as good as the original books 🤷🏼‍♀️

[Kim Bahr · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ideas jump around a bit, but overall a good story

[Arianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is the best.

[Anusowmya Ramesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a great book for pre teens. I accidentally bumped into this book in library while surfing books for my kid. Glad I did. In this book , we see how Jacky (MC) harness her hardships into comical quest filled with pranks. I enjoyed this book. Hopefully will get to read the original novel by James Patterson.

[Lexi_mai:) · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH MY GOSH I FORGOT ABOUT THIS BOOK!! Read it when I was nine AND IT WAS BEAUTIFULLL

[Carlton Phelps · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again Mr Patterson and Mr Grabenstein for producing a great read for young people. I enjoy these books because they are well written and always have a great moral.
The illustrations are nice and bright and eye catching. The book should be able to hold a young readers attention.
The book is aimed at young girls but boys could also learn something positive about struggling with problems as a perteen.
Thank you Goodreads and James Patterson Books.

[Shelby · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an entertaining and light-hearted story about a middle-school girl who uses humor to speak her mind and, occasionally, hide what is going on inside. While there is the more serious element of using humor as a tool, the graphic novel itself is fun and quick to read. I loved seeing Jacky realize that her humor didn't always have to be "on," and also that she could use it for more than just being a class clown. We see her discover herself through theater and speech, and also the support she receives from teachers in her school. I loved this element in particular. The illustrations were awesome and worked perfectly with the narration. We also see Jacky learn some mini-lessons throughout, such as being slow to judge and how to think before using her words and comedy for purposes that aren't the best. I also really liked seeing a strong family dynamic among Jacky and her sisters and her parents, even if they weren't on the best of terms in the moment. We also see her and her friend have a good, healthy relationship throughout the story, and I think that is especially important for their age.
I really enjoyed this graphic novel and thought it was a great coming of age story that every middle schooler can relate to!

[H · Rating 3 out of 5]

My daughter got this from the library, so while she was reading something else, I read this. I loved the artwork; it really complemented the story and went with the narrative, character, and plot really well. The story itself was empowering, inspiring, and heartwarming. Jackie is a girl who uses laughs to cope with her mom being deployed as well as other struggles, and I love how she has two adults see her antics and bad behavior as the potential it is and help her direct it toward more satisfying, productive things—things Jackie thought she would hate but ends up loving. I like the message of looking beyond someone’s surface and helping them to be the best version of themselves they can be, as well as the reverse side of being willing and open to embrace your faults and turn them into strengths.

[Ann Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! Absolutely incredible. Powerful messages told in such simple ways. While I would have liked for a couple of things in the story to be different, this was incredibly well written. I enjoyed the bright and colorful artwork, and liked that it was a complete story-line.

[Jelly Twinkle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I purchased this book and am very excited to start reading it, i have high hopes! Seems interesting and the reviews serve it well!

[Becky B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jackie Hart, glamorous movie star is getting ready for the Academy Awards with her two daughters and tells them how she got her start in acting. She takes them back to her childhood. She had a stutter and realized very early in her school career that she could make people laugh with her instead of at her. In 1990 her mom went off to serve as a soldier in the first Persian Gulf War. Her dad is working full time as a life guard and is hardly home. So she and her 5 sisters at home are doing the best they can on their own. At school, Jackie is turning her stress into jokes and snarky comments, and they land her in a LOT of detentions. Her principal comes up with an offer for Jackie, join the school production of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown and she can count each practice and show as a detention served. It would greatly reduce her detention hours, but Jackie isn't sure about being in a play, especially not a musical.

I have seen this around for a while, but I hadn't heard much about it. And I'm so sad that that was the case. My students and I have been missing out. This was absolutely fantastic. I love Jackie's wise principal and drama teacher who see through her facade and figure out a way to really help her. Her sisters are a blast. Her family drama with her mom gone and dad seemingly AWOL is hard, but has a very positive resolution. This had me laughing out loud and almost tearing up within the course of a few chapters. These relatable historical fiction graphic novels are super popular so I know this will find a fast fan base among our students and I probably need 2 copies. (I know, it makes me feel old to call it historical fiction too...but it is 30 years in the past now, and features a time period even college graduates now never experienced, so it is definitely historical fiction for the middle grade crowd).

No content issues.

[D.T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this story set in the 90’s, Jackie is trying to change her ways from being a class clown, and, of course, is failing miserably at it. Since her mom’s stationed in Saudi Arabia and her dad’s busy, Jackie looks for attention through her antics. At the suggestion of one of the teachers, Jackie tries to harness her innate talent of goofiness into acting. The story seemed a bit bland, but there’s some heart here. I think Jackie’s journey to expressing her true feelings was done well.

Also, there is such an undeniably LONG vomiting sequence that I’m surprised no one else has mentioned it as of yet. I get some kids like gross-out humor, but this was far too gross. Yes, this shows Jackie is a light-hearted goof who doesn’t think things through, but I just feel that could’ve been portrayed another way. As an opening scene, that just turned my stomach, and I don’t have emetophobia.

Anyway, the art style is certainly bright-eyed and super cute. The art is what grabbed my attention, and I enjoy the style a lot. This is an overall cute story with a character overcoming the need to overcompensate with humor.

3.5

[Jessika Caruso · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll admit, the bright and appealing cover caught my eye on this one. Kids will also be drawn to the artwork, which is simple but sweet, while remaining detailed. The book begins with the main character, Jacky Hart, as an adult preparing for the Academy Awards. The bulk of the story is a flashback of successful actress Jacky telling her two daughters the story of her childhood. Jacky has a lot going on in her young life. She became the class clown at a young age and will say or do just about anything for a laugh, often landing herself in detention. Humor is her coping mechanism for dealing with her absent mother - who is serving overseas - and her absent father - a lifeguard who is always hanging around his beautiful co-worker. In lieu of serving detention, Jacky's principal challenges her to try out for the school musical and participate in an oratory contest. With the help of a caring, invested drama teacher, Jacky learns to pour her creative energy into something meaningful. This fun, poignant, and constantly moving tale will delight tween girls especially - Jacky has six sisters and they make delightful supporting characters!

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jacky is about to step out into her waiting limo to go to the acadamy awards ceremony, when she takes a moment (the whole book's worth) to tell her two daughters about how she got into acting. Thus unfolds her childhood moments of her mom being called away to serve in the armed forces in Saudi Arabia (1990) and the difficulties that come without her mom being home. Add onto that, her troubles at school (endless detentions and visits to the prinicpal's office), her stuttering, and her principal's crazy idea of having her be in the school musical and oratory speech team. Jacky copes with all these things by making funny, sarcastic jokes that often bring her trouble while making people laugh. There's a lot going on inside of Jacky, including mounting suspicions that her dad is possibly cheating on her mom.

This graphic novel has a lot of realistic hard life moments that are presented in a way that is not too harsh for kids to understand or identify with. There are moments where Jacky does rebel, acts out, disobeys all on the outside, but the story helps us to catch a glimpse of all that she is grappling with on the inside as well.

[Alyssa Lucia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jacky Ha-Ha by Adam Rau

Jacky is a riot, always making jokes and creating funny situations that make people want to laugh. The reason she does this? She's hiding from her life, and from rejection. This young girl is afraid of what could happen, so she creates a reality where what could happen doesn't matter, instead of people laughing at her, they laugh with her and at her jokes. It's easy to forget your dad isn't around or your mom is at war when you're the entertainment. This is a coming of age novel where Jacky finds out who she is, and who she actually wants to be.

This book grabbed me by the heart strings, in fact the only reason I gave it 3 stars was because I felt like the graphic element of the novel detracted from the storyline. It's hard not to like a character that you see yourself in, funny goof-ups, trying to make people laugh. But what is really relatable is the fact she keeps things to herself, she has this wall up that discourages people from seeing who is behind the jokes, which is what I do when I'm afraid to be vulnerable.

Trigger Warnings: None

[kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. I like the graphic novel format. I think that it will be appealing for the younger teen reader. The artwork is good and easy to read.

The story had heart and touched my emotions in a good way. The main character Jacky is having a tough life. A mother who is overseas serving in the military and a father who is busy working. I like the large family and all the different sisters she had and their personalities.

Jacky also suffers from a stutter and we learn how she got her nickname Jacky Ha-Ha.

She was lucky because in her school there was support from teachers and staff who understood her. Her pranks weren’t always the best but I think a lot of kids can relate to having problems in school which overlap from problems at home.

The story moves along at a brisk pace and is very engaging. The main character is very likable. I enjoyed the story!

[Stacey Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jackie has six sisters. When her mother is deployed to Saudi Arabia her father's in charge of the girls. But when he stays out late every night the girls are on their own. Thinking the worst Jackie is worried about her parents marriage. Joking around has gotten Jackie through a lot of tough times in her life so she falls back on that over and over. She acts out more than ever in school and at home. She gets a bunch of detentions. Trying to help a few teachers make deals with her. Jackie joins the play and the school oratory contest and they don't make her go to detention. Jackie freaks out, she has a stutter....how will she be able to do these things? But it would save her from detention so she tries them. Jackie finds that trusting herself and letting her true self come out she can thrive...and stop her stutter.

[Brianna Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a book that I purchased from the Scholastic Book Fair for my school library. I wanted to pre-read it before putting it on the shelf for my students and I can honestly say that I cannot wait to share it with them. I have not read many graphic novels, but I have been blown away by the emotions that those I have read have provoked. This one had me laughing, crying, angry, and shocked in several different places throughout the story.

I loved how the story was told from Jacky's point of view as an adult telling it to her children. It is a feel-good story about family and what can happen when teachers invest in their students, especially the ones who try so hard to be unlovable. It tackles issues that many kids face, such as having a deployed parent, racism, challenges related to a speech impediment, grief, and family dynamics. So good!!!

[Kae · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked this book at the beginning when Jacky's life was realistic and she acted like a regular (however obnoxious) kid. But this is one of those stories where the main character has some kind of magical power to make things work out exactly as she wanted simply by doing what the adults tell her to do. Ms. O'Mara is such an infuriating character who keeps telling Jacky that everything that comes next is up to her. That is NOT how life works! There's also a long gross nationalistic speech that's totally out of place. Like the author just wanted to chuck more good feels in but it reads like a lie. This book is for those "happiness is a choice" idiots and "you can do anything you set your mind to" morons who don't get that life isn't perfect and you don't have control over much of anything. The happy wholesome ending was saccharine garbage. Don't bother reading Jacky Ha-Ha.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story in this book a lot and the artwork was nice. Quick read. Touches on some heavy topics in a light way so that you can have a discussion with your kids but you aren't going to creep them out too much as they are reading if they pick this up solo.

I did find Jacky hard to like as a main character, even though she was using her humour as a defence. And in the end, I'm not 100% sure she figured that out. At least, not in the span of the graphic novel. Wish that she had been a bit easier to like but maybe that's because I'm an adult so I see her acting out as a bit too much even when you're trying, like most of her teachers, to empathize.

[Miranda Geurin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so cute and so touching. Jackys mom is a soldier and jackys older sister went away to college. Jacky has never felt more alone and she has been getting into trouble at school. When Jacky lands a spot in the school play, she might find a way to get out of trouble.
SPOILERS AHEAD :
This book is so cute and it deals with a lot of subjects I wasn’t expecting. From death to racism To a speech impediment, this book covers a lot of things and it’s definitely a must read for anyone who likes or is just getting into graphic novels.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jacqueline Hart tells her daughters the story of how she got her start in her acting career. It is the story of a class clown and troublemaker transformed into an orator and actress by teachers who believe in her and push her. This story is a great example of how when we try and work hard, we can change our lives- the message is reinforced by her father's example. I also teared up when she gave her speech honoring her mother. This is a heartfelt graphic novel with a positive message; I'd especially recommend it to any middle schooler struggling to find their place.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was an interesting graphic novel and felt it showed how teens grow up with lots of siblings. I enjoyed it because it was about a girl who wasn't perfect. I liked all the characters.

There is one part that just gets me though. How could the dad stay out till all hours and not tell his 6 kids where he was and make sure there was food for dinner. Then to not offer an explanation.....
That seems unreal. Yes, he was studying to be a police officer. Why would it have to be that secret?

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great graphic novel. I found it hard to get into sometimes because of personal experiences that it mirrors from my own life. I truly enjoyed seeing her personal growth throughout the book. I loved how they didn't outright tell you what was actually happening, rather how Jacky saw it and made her own conclusions. Once I got into the book, it was an easy read. I wholeheartedly recommend this for middle/high schoolers.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Told in retrospect, and set in 1990, during Operation Desert Storm, Jacqueline "Jacky Ha-Ha" Hart shares with her two daughters her life growing up during that time. Jacky Ha-Ha chose to be the class clown to deflect her short-comings and family issues from her friends, classmates and teachers. Her defense mechanism was laughter, and prank pulling This tale is sure to resonate with the readers, and maybe see themselves, or others that they may know.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a teacher, I picked this book up for my classroom library because it looked fun and all my students were wanting more graphic novels. What I didn't expect was to emotionally invested in the story and even tearing up a few times.

This book does an excellent job of showing the life of a young girl using her humor as a coping mechanism. I loved Mrs. O'Mara and strive to be a supportive educator like her to my own students.