Flash Jack

by Maureen McCarthy

When burglars break into Jack's house, they take all his stuff. Now he's got no skateboard, no TV, no music, nothing. All his brothers do is fight, his mum thinks they all need counselling, his dad's trying to set an example, but hey, who's interested? Jack just wants to get out of that house. So he does. And he meets Diana. And her dog. And her grandma, who wears tiger-skin bikinis. They're all pretty vicious. And suddenly, life is anything but boring.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, School

Paperback

First published June 4, 2001

About the author

Maureen McCarthy, the ninth of ten children, was born in 1953 in country Victoria. She has worked as a teacher in Victorian secondary schools and has written scripts for television and educational films. Her film credits include 'Skipping Class', he award-winning documentary, 'Eating Your Heart Out', and the SBS mini-series, 'In Between', which was later adapted inot four novels by Maureen. Her latest works includes the novels Ganglands and Cross My Heart, which was published in 1993 and short-listed for the NSW Premier's Prize in that year. An Australian author and scriptwriter, her novels concern the lives of emerging adults, from ages sixteen to early twenties. McCarthy has three sons and lives in Melbourne.
Maureen dedicated her story in the collection 'Family: A Collection of Short Stories' to the memory of her much-loved nephew, Justin Haire, who died tragically in October 1993, aged 21 years.

Reviews

[Nickolino Paprinos · Rating 1 out of 5]

i just didnt feel this book was up to the standards of my likings,
i just feel it didnt envole........enough trees

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my reading groups chose this book for our Literature Circle and I'm glad they did. It is an easy and entertaining read for my students. It has a down to earth tone and enough 'real life' themes to stimulate some interesting discussions. I am excited to share this one with my class.

[Talia · Rating 2 out of 5]

School novel - I wish we had better reading to engage students. Bit dreadful but not one I'd choose either.

[Shane · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy read with real and believable characters. A great twist at the end earnt a star in itself.

[Giorgia Battel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mmm. Carino ma non eccezionale, a dirla tutta. Lo stile è troppo dispersivo, e non sono sicura mi piaccia Jack. Comunque una lettura tranquilla e veloce.