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Jake Drake #2
Jake Drake Know-It-All
Jake Drake is excited about Despres Elementary School's first science fair. He wants to win the grand prize: a brand-new Hyper-Cross-Functional Bluntium Twelve Computer System. And he really wants to beat the third grade know-it-alls, Marsha McCall and Kevin Young.The trouble is, to beat the know-it-alls, Jake has to become a know-it-all himself. And he may just lose more than he wins.
96 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2001
53 people are currently reading
435 people want to read
About the author
Andrew Clements
191 books2,197 followersI was born in Camden, New Jersey in 1949 and lived in Oaklyn and Cherry Hill until the middle of sixth grade. Then we moved to Springfield, Illinois. My parents were avid readers and they gave that love of books and reading to me and to all my brothers and sisters. I didn’t think about being a writer at all back then, but I did love to read. I'm certain there's a link between reading good books and becoming a writer. I don't know a single writer who wasn’t a reader first.
Before moving to Illinois, and even afterwards, our family spent summers at a cabin on a lake in Maine. There was no TV there, no phone, no doorbell—and email wasn’t even invented. All day there was time to swim and fish and mess around outside, and every night, there was time to read. I know those quiet summers helped me begin to think like a writer.
During my senior year at Springfield High School my English teacher handed back a poem I’d written. Two things were amazing about that paper. First, I’d gotten an A—a rare event in this teacher’s class. And she’d also written in large, scrawly red writing, “Andrew—this poem is so funny. This should be published!”
That praise sent me off to Northwestern University feeling like I was a pretty good writer, and occasionally professors there also encouraged me and complimented the essays I was required to write as a literature major. But I didn’t write much on my own—just some poetry now and then. I learned to play guitar and began writing songs, but again, only when I felt like it. Writing felt like hard work—something that’s still true today.
After the songwriting came my first job in publishing. I worked for a small publisher who specialized in how-to books, the kind of books that have photos with informative captions below each one. The book in which my name first appeared in print is called A Country Christmas Treasury. I’d built a number of the projects featured in the book, and I was listed as one of the “craftspeople”on the acknowlegements page, in tiny, tiny type.
In 1990 I began trying to write a story about a boy who makes up a new word. That book eventually became my first novel, Frindle, published in 1996, and you can read the whole story of how it developed on another web site, frindle.com. Frindle became popular, more popular than any of my books before or since—at least so far. And it had the eventual effect of turning me into a full-time writer.
I’ve learned that I need time and a quiet place to think and write. These days, I spend a lot of my time sitting in a small shed about seventy feet from my back door at our home in Massachusetts. There’s a woodstove in there for the cold winters, and an air conditioner for the hot summers. There’s a desk and chair, and I carry a laptop computer back and forth. But there’s no TV, no phone, no doorbell, no email. And the woodstove and the pine board walls make the place smell just like that cabin in Maine where I spent my earliest summers.
Sometimes kids ask how I've been able to write so many books. The answer is simple: one word at a time. Which is a good lesson, I think. You don't have to do everything at once. You don't have to know how every story is going to end. You just have to take that next step, look for that next idea, write that next word. And growing up, it's the same way. We just have to go to that next class, read that next chapter, help that next person. You simply have to do that next good thing, and before you know it, you're living a good life.
Before moving to Illinois, and even afterwards, our family spent summers at a cabin on a lake in Maine. There was no TV there, no phone, no doorbell—and email wasn’t even invented. All day there was time to swim and fish and mess around outside, and every night, there was time to read. I know those quiet summers helped me begin to think like a writer.
During my senior year at Springfield High School my English teacher handed back a poem I’d written. Two things were amazing about that paper. First, I’d gotten an A—a rare event in this teacher’s class. And she’d also written in large, scrawly red writing, “Andrew—this poem is so funny. This should be published!”
That praise sent me off to Northwestern University feeling like I was a pretty good writer, and occasionally professors there also encouraged me and complimented the essays I was required to write as a literature major. But I didn’t write much on my own—just some poetry now and then. I learned to play guitar and began writing songs, but again, only when I felt like it. Writing felt like hard work—something that’s still true today.
After the songwriting came my first job in publishing. I worked for a small publisher who specialized in how-to books, the kind of books that have photos with informative captions below each one. The book in which my name first appeared in print is called A Country Christmas Treasury. I’d built a number of the projects featured in the book, and I was listed as one of the “craftspeople”on the acknowlegements page, in tiny, tiny type.
In 1990 I began trying to write a story about a boy who makes up a new word. That book eventually became my first novel, Frindle, published in 1996, and you can read the whole story of how it developed on another web site, frindle.com. Frindle became popular, more popular than any of my books before or since—at least so far. And it had the eventual effect of turning me into a full-time writer.
I’ve learned that I need time and a quiet place to think and write. These days, I spend a lot of my time sitting in a small shed about seventy feet from my back door at our home in Massachusetts. There’s a woodstove in there for the cold winters, and an air conditioner for the hot summers. There’s a desk and chair, and I carry a laptop computer back and forth. But there’s no TV, no phone, no doorbell, no email. And the woodstove and the pine board walls make the place smell just like that cabin in Maine where I spent my earliest summers.
Sometimes kids ask how I've been able to write so many books. The answer is simple: one word at a time. Which is a good lesson, I think. You don't have to do everything at once. You don't have to know how every story is going to end. You just have to take that next step, look for that next idea, write that next word. And growing up, it's the same way. We just have to go to that next class, read that next chapter, help that next person. You simply have to do that next good thing, and before you know it, you're living a good life.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
January 28, 2019
A very relatable chapter book about a science fair at school, by the master of school stories, Andrew Clements. Very tightly plotted story. Though this book is short, it has a lot to say. I especially like that the protagonist, Jake, is a regular kid, in the vein of Henry Huggins. There is such an emphasis on quirky characters in chapter books and middle grade these days that it's getting harder and harder for kids to see themselves in the stories they read. But they will have no trouble identifying with Jake.
Part of the Jake Drake chapter book series by Andrew Clements.
Part of the Jake Drake chapter book series by Andrew Clements.
November 5, 2017
Jake Drake loves everything to do with computers. So when his school announces that the winner of the third grade science fair with win a grand prize state of the art computer system and a year of free internet access, he is determined to win. But Jake faces strong competition from the class know-it-alls, and he is willing to put off his best friend's offer to partner up with him, as he has his sights set on that grand prize, which cannot be easily shared.
This was written in 2001, but the computer technologies described feel mid-nineties, and the opening chapter is a fun, nerdy walk down memory lane, dropping references to some classic games and software.
What really shines through, though, is the science fair sequences. The story was fun and realistic. Jake comes up with a very doable project, gives a very nice overview of the scientific method (plus a page-long list of everything in his junk drawer!), and captures the joy of learning through hands-on science.
I also liked Jake's friendship with Willie, the best friend Jake at first leaves behind when he embarks on his quest to make himself the biggest know-it-all at school. Stories that show kids appreciating the value of friendship always leave good feelings, and this one does it especially well.
This was a school assignment for my own Kiddo (Grade 3, just like Jake), and I felt like it was a nice introduction to the scientific method for him, with his own science fair a few months away.
This was written in 2001, but the computer technologies described feel mid-nineties, and the opening chapter is a fun, nerdy walk down memory lane, dropping references to some classic games and software.
What really shines through, though, is the science fair sequences. The story was fun and realistic. Jake comes up with a very doable project, gives a very nice overview of the scientific method (plus a page-long list of everything in his junk drawer!), and captures the joy of learning through hands-on science.
I also liked Jake's friendship with Willie, the best friend Jake at first leaves behind when he embarks on his quest to make himself the biggest know-it-all at school. Stories that show kids appreciating the value of friendship always leave good feelings, and this one does it especially well.
This was a school assignment for my own Kiddo (Grade 3, just like Jake), and I felt like it was a nice introduction to the scientific method for him, with his own science fair a few months away.
April 22, 2013
Another great Jake Drake book! This one is about Jake's experience with the science fair in third grade. Jake is super excited to participate in his school's first science fair because the winner gets a brand new, state of the art computer system! If it's one thing Jake loves, it's computers. So Jake begins working on his science project right away. He knows it has to be good if he wants to beat the know-it alls in his class, Marsha and Kevin. So he keeps his project a secret. He works really hard until a few weeks before the science fair when his best friend Willie tells him that he is dropping out of the science fair. Jake begins to wonder if he should drop out, too, but then decides he's worked too hard to quit. So he comes up with a plan to get Willie back in the science fair and together they work on Jake's project so that they can both get credit for it. Will Marsha or Kevin, the know-it alls, win the science fair or will Jake and Willie take first prize?
Great book about perseverance and determination. Jake is such a great role model and he's funny, too. Second graders through fourth or fifth graders would like this book.
Great book about perseverance and determination. Jake is such a great role model and he's funny, too. Second graders through fourth or fifth graders would like this book.
May 24, 2017
Jake Drake loves computers. He likes computers at school and at home. When Jake was in first grade,
two kids, named Marsha McCall and Kevin Young, were always trying to raise their hands first.
The teacher liked the competition. Marsha and Kevin were always the first ones to be called on by the
teacher.
When he was in second grade, the new teacher did not like this competition. When Kevin and Marsha
raised their hands, the teacher said things like, " Marsha and Kevin, put your hands down. Look at the
other kids. They have great ideas too.
Jake Drake moved up to third grade. They organized a meeting for the 3rd, 4th and 5th graders. They
found out that there was a science fair for the 3rd, 4th and 5th graders. The grand prize was a Hyper-Cross-Functional Bluntium Twelve computer system! Jake Drake just had to beat the so called Know-It-Alls Kevin and Marsha! Will he win?
two kids, named Marsha McCall and Kevin Young, were always trying to raise their hands first.
The teacher liked the competition. Marsha and Kevin were always the first ones to be called on by the
teacher.
When he was in second grade, the new teacher did not like this competition. When Kevin and Marsha
raised their hands, the teacher said things like, " Marsha and Kevin, put your hands down. Look at the
other kids. They have great ideas too.
Jake Drake moved up to third grade. They organized a meeting for the 3rd, 4th and 5th graders. They
found out that there was a science fair for the 3rd, 4th and 5th graders. The grand prize was a Hyper-Cross-Functional Bluntium Twelve computer system! Jake Drake just had to beat the so called Know-It-Alls Kevin and Marsha! Will he win?
January 18, 2015
1.ALADDIN
2.1/13=45min, 1/17=60min
3.know-it-all,science fair,prize,computer,school,stuff
4."Me and Willie are like that. We're good partners. We laugh at the same kinds of stuff, and when he needs help or I need help, we stick together. Like magnets."
From this sentence, I thought they had good friendship, and "Like magnets." means they worked togehter.
5.Jake is a main character in this book. One day, school's science fair was held and the grand prize was a computer. Jake wanted to get the computer and beat his rival, so he thought he had to be the winner. At first, he did his project by himself, but he noticed importance of cooperation, and he began to do his project with Willie. They had good teamwork. In the end, Jake could not get the grand prize, but he got more important things.
2.1/13=45min, 1/17=60min
3.know-it-all,science fair,prize,computer,school,stuff
4."Me and Willie are like that. We're good partners. We laugh at the same kinds of stuff, and when he needs help or I need help, we stick together. Like magnets."
From this sentence, I thought they had good friendship, and "Like magnets." means they worked togehter.
5.Jake is a main character in this book. One day, school's science fair was held and the grand prize was a computer. Jake wanted to get the computer and beat his rival, so he thought he had to be the winner. At first, he did his project by himself, but he noticed importance of cooperation, and he began to do his project with Willie. They had good teamwork. In the end, Jake could not get the grand prize, but he got more important things.
December 23, 2014
1. 12/17=50m, 12/20=50m
2. ALADDIN
3. science
know-it-all
computer
secret
project
magnet
partner
4. Jake joined science fair and studied about magnets. He devoted almost time to think about his project because he really wanted grand prize, a brand new Hyper-Criss- Functional Bluntium Twelve computer system!
In his class, he had some rival who was know-it-all. He tried to win and get new computer!
5. At first, he was only thinking about computer and his enemies but he was changed while he studied about his project with Willie. I like his style that he did his project without his father'a help and enjoyed studying with Willie. I think Jake can be good scientist! He can think about what he wants to know by hisself. I love this story!
2. ALADDIN
3. science
know-it-all
computer
secret
project
magnet
partner
4. Jake joined science fair and studied about magnets. He devoted almost time to think about his project because he really wanted grand prize, a brand new Hyper-Criss- Functional Bluntium Twelve computer system!
In his class, he had some rival who was know-it-all. He tried to win and get new computer!
5. At first, he was only thinking about computer and his enemies but he was changed while he studied about his project with Willie. I like his style that he did his project without his father'a help and enjoyed studying with Willie. I think Jake can be good scientist! He can think about what he wants to know by hisself. I love this story!
November 10, 2009
Jake Drake is a smart enough kid. He just doesn't think that he should spend all his time advertising it. Not like those Know-It-Alls in the class, the ones who always raise their hand for every question and have to have to the top scores on everything. Those kids are so annoying.
But when the school announces that a science fair will be held and the top prize is a new computer, Jake wonders if maybe this time being a know-it-all won't be such a bad thing.
A good read-aloud or hi/lo reader for boys especially.
But when the school announces that a science fair will be held and the top prize is a new computer, Jake wonders if maybe this time being a know-it-all won't be such a bad thing.
A good read-aloud or hi/lo reader for boys especially.
October 29, 2012
Good third-grade level book about a competitive science fair. The writing is engaging, and I found the main character both likable and entertaining. Issues covered: competition and friendship. Good insight into the joy of learning because science is interesting. Both the content and reading level are appropriate for basic 3rd grade, but the story is entertaining enough that it would satisfy better readers.
October 10, 2013
My 3rd grader and I still have have "mommy and me" reading time together and it's one of my favorite times of the day. We both thoroughly enjoyed this story. There were moments of laughter, suspence and, of course, the required "moral" or two hidding within the pages. I've already promised to pick up the next book "Teacher's Pet" and mommy may be more excited than the 8 year old!
Highly recommended
Highly recommended
Read
May 14, 20135/9 20min 5/10 20min 5/11 20min
school - smart - prize - computer - hunter - science - secret
When you were elementary school student, what did you do?
I often practiced piano and swimming.
I did not like this book because it is not interesting. However, I remembered my elementary school days.
school - smart - prize - computer - hunter - science - secret
When you were elementary school student, what did you do?
I often practiced piano and swimming.
I did not like this book because it is not interesting. However, I remembered my elementary school days.
December 17, 2014
1. ALADDIN
2. 12/13= 50 minutes, 12/14= 60 minutes
3. computer, science fair, know-it-all, best friend, drop out, partner
4a. "two heads are better than one"
4b. Their friendship is really good. There is same meaning of this proverb in Japanese; sannin yoreba monju no chie.
5. This book is easy to read but I prefer "Jake Drake class clown" that we read in classes.
2. 12/13= 50 minutes, 12/14= 60 minutes
3. computer, science fair, know-it-all, best friend, drop out, partner
4a. "two heads are better than one"
4b. Their friendship is really good. There is same meaning of this proverb in Japanese; sannin yoreba monju no chie.
5. This book is easy to read but I prefer "Jake Drake class clown" that we read in classes.
June 28, 2011
I read this book in two days. I thought it was pretty good but, it was king of easy for me. It was not the best book I have ever read from Andrew Clements, but, it was still pretty good. I think people from ages 8-12 should read it if they like Andrew Clements.
Read
December 9, 2015A very cute third grade book that will remind you how much you hated know it alls. A little life lesson in almost every chapter and an ending that reminds you that friendship is the best prize of all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
May 28, 2016I would recommend this book. It is interesting how he change his mind to have a partner. also how he did not want to quit because the other projects were better. It is fun to see how he just tried his best.
February 17, 2008
I love Andrew Clements books already and this is a good one for beginning chapter book readers. He has a great way of making a point.
July 4, 2008
Cute story to read to your kids. Fast easy read, about thirty minutes. Great message about being a good friend.
May 16, 2009
I didn't lern anything
September 13, 2009
I'm reading this series in my quest for books appropriate for 2nd graders. This definitely fits the bill. I liked the themes of cooperation, competition, and friendship.
March 31, 2015
A story about friendship, competition, and not letting others' actions or words change you for the worse.
January 10, 2014
Great basic chapter book perfect for my 7 and 8 year old.
November 30, 2016
I am going to read this with my 3rd graders to fit with our science unit on electromagnets.
February 8, 2017
Perfect lit circle book for our current unit on electricity and magnetism!
July 20, 2017
Pending.
January 5, 2023
When I started reading this series I thought this was book 2 and thus read, Jake Drake, Bully Buster before this one. But this is actually book one in the Jake Drake quadrilogy. I was enjoying that book so much I mentioned it to my son, and he has since read to me both Jake Drake, Bully Buster and Jake Drake, Know-It-All and is currently reading me book three in the series. My son is in grade 9, and yes, these books are below his reading level. But he has been dealing with some serious bullying for a number of years now. Most of it instigated by the same ring leader, a boy that would give Link Baxter, Super Bully, more than a run for his money. My son loved the first story he read and asked if we could read all four togethert. And even though the other Jake Drake books do not deal with bullying, we plan on reading them together in short order.
Six years ago, I discovered the works of Andrew Clements. I was instantly hooked and have now read almost 25 books from his masterful pen. Many consider him the ‘master of school stories’, and I would agree. I have a dual form of dyslexia and did not learn to read until after grade 7. So I never read ‘school stories’ when I was young. That combined with having my own school aged children has instilled a great appreciation for the genre and specifically for the works of Andrew Clements. Clements passed away in 2019 his last novel was The Friendship War, which is another excellent volume. He writes amazing stories for children, but they are also stories that any of us can learn from. Back then I set the goal of reading all of his works, but as my own children have outgrown these books and they had slid by the wayside. I have now returned to them yet again. I have read 1 a week over the last several weeks and plan to do so for a while yet.
This is another great read in a really fun series. These are books I wish we had read with my son years ago. It is an excellent read. The description of this book is:
“Jake Drake is excited about Despres Elementary School's first science fair. He wants to win the grand prize: a brand-new Hyper-Cross-Functional Bluntium Twelve Computer System. And he really wants to beat the third grade know-it-alls, Marsha McCall and Kevin Young. The trouble is, to beat the know-it-alls, Jake has to become a know-it-all himself. And he may just lose more than he wins.”
The chapters in this volume are:
One: The Catch
Two: Big News
Three: The Rules
Four: Hunters
Five: K-I-A/D-I-A
Six: What to Do
Seven: Secrets and Spies
Eight: Dropouts
Nine: Sticking Together
Ten: Teamwork
Eleven: Winners
In this story Jake really, really, really wants to win the science fair and the grand prize new Computer, a Hyper-Cross-Functional Bluntium Twelve computer system from Wonky’s Super Computer Store. It is a system Drake has had his eye on for a while. Jake learns some lessons long the way. One is that he prefers to work with a friend, have fun and learn. Second is that even though he and his partner did all the work on their projects, a lot of parents helped their kids. And Third if he focused just on winning and not the why and how it can cease to be fun. Overall this was a wonderful little read. Both my son and I loved it.
This is another excellent offering from the masterful pen of Andrew Clements. This is a great early chapter book. It is excellent book for young readers, and for those of us who just love a great story! And It will leave you wondering what happens in the final 2 Jake Drake adventures.
Six years ago, I discovered the works of Andrew Clements. I was instantly hooked and have now read almost 25 books from his masterful pen. Many consider him the ‘master of school stories’, and I would agree. I have a dual form of dyslexia and did not learn to read until after grade 7. So I never read ‘school stories’ when I was young. That combined with having my own school aged children has instilled a great appreciation for the genre and specifically for the works of Andrew Clements. Clements passed away in 2019 his last novel was The Friendship War, which is another excellent volume. He writes amazing stories for children, but they are also stories that any of us can learn from. Back then I set the goal of reading all of his works, but as my own children have outgrown these books and they had slid by the wayside. I have now returned to them yet again. I have read 1 a week over the last several weeks and plan to do so for a while yet.
This is another great read in a really fun series. These are books I wish we had read with my son years ago. It is an excellent read. The description of this book is:
“Jake Drake is excited about Despres Elementary School's first science fair. He wants to win the grand prize: a brand-new Hyper-Cross-Functional Bluntium Twelve Computer System. And he really wants to beat the third grade know-it-alls, Marsha McCall and Kevin Young. The trouble is, to beat the know-it-alls, Jake has to become a know-it-all himself. And he may just lose more than he wins.”
The chapters in this volume are:
One: The Catch
Two: Big News
Three: The Rules
Four: Hunters
Five: K-I-A/D-I-A
Six: What to Do
Seven: Secrets and Spies
Eight: Dropouts
Nine: Sticking Together
Ten: Teamwork
Eleven: Winners
In this story Jake really, really, really wants to win the science fair and the grand prize new Computer, a Hyper-Cross-Functional Bluntium Twelve computer system from Wonky’s Super Computer Store. It is a system Drake has had his eye on for a while. Jake learns some lessons long the way. One is that he prefers to work with a friend, have fun and learn. Second is that even though he and his partner did all the work on their projects, a lot of parents helped their kids. And Third if he focused just on winning and not the why and how it can cease to be fun. Overall this was a wonderful little read. Both my son and I loved it.
This is another excellent offering from the masterful pen of Andrew Clements. This is a great early chapter book. It is excellent book for young readers, and for those of us who just love a great story! And It will leave you wondering what happens in the final 2 Jake Drake adventures.
March 14, 2017
Jake doesn't care for Kevin Young and Marsha McCall's know-it-all attitude. But when the Science Fair prize is announced (a computer), he decides he must take on that attitude to win. He won't even work with best friend, Willie, because how would you split the prize? So, he works diligently on his own but it becomes a chore. So he hooks up with Willie and together they not only win 2nd place, but also have a fun time learning.
March 25, 2018
Decent elementary book. I like the lesson Jake learns about friendship.
I definitely chose to read this on the last day of the year because it's short and I wanted to reach my goal of 100 books. I mean, I would have read it anyway because I own it, but I strategically read it at that time because of its length.
I definitely chose to read this on the last day of the year because it's short and I wanted to reach my goal of 100 books. I mean, I would have read it anyway because I own it, but I strategically read it at that time because of its length.
May 27, 2018
a good moral about the importance of hard work and how you don't have to be number 1. it's a little sad that it starts and ends with Jake understanding that with the meat being that he doesn't. not as goofy as other Clements books, but still enjoyable.
April 24, 2019
Very cute book to read with a small group of 2nd graders! They loved pointing out the know-it-alls in the group! Andrew Clements has long been an author I enjoy, this is a fun series for younger kids than many of his books.
May 22, 2019
I enjoyed this book because it related to my students a lot. They all did science fair projects and they also made electromagnetic connections using the wire, nail and batteries as well. It was so nice to see my students to relate to a book so easily.
September 30, 2019
Per my daughter- SPOILER ALERT
I think it was a good book! I like the story because the science fair and the prize of the computer. I like how Jake won second place with his friend, Willie.
I think it was a good book! I like the story because the science fair and the prize of the computer. I like how Jake won second place with his friend, Willie.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews