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Jingo Django
Jingo attend depuis sept ans que son père vienne le chercher dans cet horrible Orphelinat de Bienfaisance de Brooklyn où il l'a laissé après la mort de sa mère. Il se souvient encore de lui. Son père a les dents gâtées et il est unijambiste. Mais Jingo l'aime quand même et il est prêt à tout pour le retrouver. Aussi, quand un gentleman étrange du nom de Peacock se présente à l'orphelinat et demande à l'emmener au motif qu'il est son père, Jingo n'est pas dupe mais il est heureux. Et les voici tous deux entraînés à la frontière du Mexique à la recherche d'un trésor que la patronne de l'orphelinat et son complice, le général Gueule-Noire, convoitent aussi...
154 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1971
4 people are currently reading
89 people want to read
About the author
Sid Fleischman
101 books149 followersAs a children's book author Sid Fleischman felt a special obligation to his readers. "The books we enjoy as children stay with us forever -- they have a special impact. Paragraph after paragraph and page after page, the author must deliver his or her best work." With almost 60 books to his credit, some of which have been made into motion pictures, Sid Fleischman can be assured that his work will make a special impact.
Sid Fleischman wrote his books at a huge table cluttered with projects: story ideas, library books, research, letters, notes, pens, pencils, and a computer. He lived in an old-fashioned, two-story house full of creaks and character, and enjoys hearing the sound of the nearby Pacific Ocean.
Fleischman passed away after a battle with cancer on March 17, 2010, the day after his ninetieth birthday.
He was the father of Newbery Medal winning writer and poet Paul Fleischman, author of Joyful Noise; they are the only father and son to receive Newbery awards.
Sid Fleischman wrote his books at a huge table cluttered with projects: story ideas, library books, research, letters, notes, pens, pencils, and a computer. He lived in an old-fashioned, two-story house full of creaks and character, and enjoys hearing the sound of the nearby Pacific Ocean.
Fleischman passed away after a battle with cancer on March 17, 2010, the day after his ninetieth birthday.
He was the father of Newbery Medal winning writer and poet Paul Fleischman, author of Joyful Noise; they are the only father and son to receive Newbery awards.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
June 14, 2023
I absolutely adore this book. I just finished reading it to the children. We were all a giggling mess when I started the last chapter, and they didn't even know why yet. Apparently, I've read Jingo Django four times now. I notice more of the subtleties each time. I recommend for 7 and up. Younger children enjoy it too.
August 13, 2018
Jingo Django is a fun adventure book that I could see kids loving -- I definitely loved this sort of book when I was a kid, and even as an adult, I greatly enjoyed it. With buried treasure, adventure, and unforgettable characters (with equally unforgettable names), this is a great story for young boys and girls.
Django goes on a quest expecting to find treasure and learns so much about himself and his abilities. This story has both coming-of-age and adventure elements and would appeal to children/middle grade readers. The plot is a bit simplistic and doesn't cover much ground, which is why I wouldn't recommend it for a young adult audience. Django is really the only character that grows within the story, which is fine -- but again, for those who like a complex story, not so great. I really loved how Fleischman is able to show seedy characters while still retaining the charm of an old-fashioned adventure -- and I love how Django is able to use his intelligence to outwit some of the less-than-honest characters.
The narration is excellent: each character has its own voice and Charles Carroll really brought life and personality to all the different characters. I sometimes avoid books with children in them, because a lot of narrators tend to make children's voices needlessly whiny, but Carroll doesn't do that. He uses his normal voice and it works really well for the story.
Overall, I think Jingo Django is an interesting, fast-paced adventure story. It'll be a quick read and has enough in it to keep the reader engaged from beginning to end.
*I received a copy of this audiobook through the publisher from Audiobook Jukebox's Solid Gold Reviewer program in exchange for an honest review.*
Also posted on Purple People Readers.
Django goes on a quest expecting to find treasure and learns so much about himself and his abilities. This story has both coming-of-age and adventure elements and would appeal to children/middle grade readers. The plot is a bit simplistic and doesn't cover much ground, which is why I wouldn't recommend it for a young adult audience. Django is really the only character that grows within the story, which is fine -- but again, for those who like a complex story, not so great. I really loved how Fleischman is able to show seedy characters while still retaining the charm of an old-fashioned adventure -- and I love how Django is able to use his intelligence to outwit some of the less-than-honest characters.
The narration is excellent: each character has its own voice and Charles Carroll really brought life and personality to all the different characters. I sometimes avoid books with children in them, because a lot of narrators tend to make children's voices needlessly whiny, but Carroll doesn't do that. He uses his normal voice and it works really well for the story.
Overall, I think Jingo Django is an interesting, fast-paced adventure story. It'll be a quick read and has enough in it to keep the reader engaged from beginning to end.
*I received a copy of this audiobook through the publisher from Audiobook Jukebox's Solid Gold Reviewer program in exchange for an honest review.*
Also posted on Purple People Readers.
September 26, 2020
5+ stars & 6/10 hearts. The first chapter of this book had me rather uncertain. As soon as Mr. Peacock-Hemlock-Jones appeared, though, I was hooked. Sid Fleischman has a great gift for writing boy-man relationship/friendships, and his male main characters are always so funny, intriguing, & fascinating! Mr. Peacock-Hemlock-Jones was a complete puzzle and I was really baffled by what was going on until the very end. There is some lying in this book, & there may be a few euphemisms; I don’t quite remember. Tornapo was an amazing character; really, such a good, wise man. And so was Sacki. I found this book just as humorous and intriguing as I expected, and even better than I hoped. <33
A Favourite Quote: “‘We don’t right over a patch of ground. We leave that to the gorgies [outsiders]. The world is wide, eh, Django? There is always another patch of ground.’
“I could hear the three men laughing at us. Finally I said, ‘I’ll never trust a gorgio again.’
“Tornado looked at me and didn’t seem pleased by my remark. ‘Listen to me, chavo. Some gorgies are worse than others. Some are better. Don’t put them in the same pot.’”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “As he kept shaking me the hickory shirt loosened itself and the scrimshaw …. clattered bone white to the floor. I tried to kick it away, but he was quick to slap his foot on it. He snatched it up and began to chuckle.
“‘Why, lad, a whale’s tooth ain’t worth snitchin’—didn’t you know that?”
“… At last the door flew open and there, gripping a candle-stick, stood Mr. Peacock-Hemlock-Jones.
“‘My dear sir,’ he snapped. ‘You must be the nosiest thief in your profession. You will do yourself a service by turning whatever you have found to lay your grubby hands on.’
“General Scarlock leveled his pistol. ‘You’ll do yourself a service, sir, by standing out of my way.’
“‘Ah. So I see.’
‘He stepped aside to let General Scarlock pass. I was certain Mr. Peacock-Hemlock-Jones would spring into action, and held my breath. But he hardly lifted an eyebrow.
“’Do watch your footing on the stairs,’ he said. ‘It’s dark and you’re apt to take a bad spill.’”
A Favourite Quote: “‘We don’t right over a patch of ground. We leave that to the gorgies [outsiders]. The world is wide, eh, Django? There is always another patch of ground.’
“I could hear the three men laughing at us. Finally I said, ‘I’ll never trust a gorgio again.’
“Tornado looked at me and didn’t seem pleased by my remark. ‘Listen to me, chavo. Some gorgies are worse than others. Some are better. Don’t put them in the same pot.’”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “As he kept shaking me the hickory shirt loosened itself and the scrimshaw …. clattered bone white to the floor. I tried to kick it away, but he was quick to slap his foot on it. He snatched it up and began to chuckle.
“‘Why, lad, a whale’s tooth ain’t worth snitchin’—didn’t you know that?”
“… At last the door flew open and there, gripping a candle-stick, stood Mr. Peacock-Hemlock-Jones.
“‘My dear sir,’ he snapped. ‘You must be the nosiest thief in your profession. You will do yourself a service by turning whatever you have found to lay your grubby hands on.’
“General Scarlock leveled his pistol. ‘You’ll do yourself a service, sir, by standing out of my way.’
“‘Ah. So I see.’
‘He stepped aside to let General Scarlock pass. I was certain Mr. Peacock-Hemlock-Jones would spring into action, and held my breath. But he hardly lifted an eyebrow.
“’Do watch your footing on the stairs,’ he said. ‘It’s dark and you’re apt to take a bad spill.’”
November 7, 2023
A very fun adventure story
September 8, 2019
Fleischman's stuff is always cut from the same cloth. It's preposterous and hilarious, but with depth and clever planning. His surprise twists are expected by now, but they aren't gratuitous.
July 12, 2021
I just loved it. I don't know if it was a departure from the usual Sid Fleischman, or if I'm just not remembering Fleischman that well, but I don't remember being drawn in to any of his other stories that I've read as much as this one.
Tag(s) that I don't want to create tags for:
identity issues
orphans
father issues
family-of-origin
Like (and unlike) Guernsey, as soon as I finished I flipped right back (but not to the very beginning) to read again.
Tag(s) that I don't want to create tags for:
identity issues
orphans
father issues
family-of-origin
Like (and unlike) Guernsey, as soon as I finished I flipped right back (but not to the very beginning) to read again.
March 4, 2022
Did anyone else in the mainstream write stories like this for young readers in the latter half of the twentieth century? Since the onset of the time that his writing of vintage western adventure stories really took off in the 1970s, Sid Fleischman has basically had the market cornered on this particular brand of modern dime novels for the juvenile audience. We love to read stories with adventure and heart that are set in the days of the great western frontier boom when life seemed so much simpler and bouncing from town to town earning money on the merits of one's own lateral thinking was a real work opportunity. Every boy carries at least a little piece of the romanticism of the old American west in his heart from the day his proud papa fits him with his first genuine cowboy hat (or cap gun, or chaps, or toy spurs, or something of the kind), and the call of the wild west never completely leaves him after that point.
Enter Jingo Hawkes to our story, a youngster without parents whose only memory of a father is that of a no-good rapscallion who dumped him off at an orphanage when Jingo was only five years old. Approximately twelve years old now, Jingo works for the putrid Mrs. Daggatt, proprietor of the orphanage, who cares not for her tender young charges except as a means of revenue; she accomplishes this by loaning out their physical labor services to independent contractors looking for large groups of children who will work on the cheap. Jingo finds his chance to permanently evade the custody of Mrs. Daggatt when a couple of strangers come looking for him at the orphanage: first, the sly and criminally inclined General Scurlock, who has a particular job in mind for Jingo that will put the boy right in the middle of a fight over a possible hidden treasure; second, a tall, intelligent man who goes by several different false names, and claims to be Jingo's father. Jingo understands well enough that the first man's motivation for seeking him out is simple greed, but the second man puzzles him. How could this be his father, when he clearly remembers his uncaring paternal figure as having had only one leg and looking completely different from the person who now claims to be his father? It's clear that this stranger is lying, but what does he have to gain by pretending to be Jingo's father?
When the mysterious stranger hears about the treasure that General Scurlock had enlisted Jingo's help to find, he takes Jingo along with him on an unpredictable adventure across the U.S. that has all the elements of a classic rousing western tale: bandits, clever swindles, the threat of violence, a kidnapping or two, betrayal, a final confrontation involving the bad guys and firearms... Jingo Django lacks nothing of what commonly makes western novels exciting and memorable. And knowing Sid Fleischman, you can count on a few extra surprises in the story that will cause the narrative to veer off into some unexpected new areas.
For my money, the best thing about this book is the intangible us-against-the-world feeling that arises over time between Jingo and the man who claims to be his father. The whole spirit of this part of the story is built on Jingo's base attitude of knowing that he and the man aren't perfect and never will be, but they're capable of doing some awesome things together, and if they can each look past the imperfections of the other, then what could come next is a ride that neither will want to miss. It's sort of a faint watermark of an idea behind the story that we could all learn from observing, to realize that perfection isn't necessary to find a partner for whatever kind of adventure might present itself in our lives, and if we're willing to look past the imperfections of our chosen associates, then we might have the chance to find something extraordinary together.
I would give Jingo Django a solid two and a half stars, and I considered for quite a while rounding that rating up instead of down. There's a lot to speak positively about in this book, and I would readily recommend it to anyone who has enjoyed other works by Sid Fleischman.
Enter Jingo Hawkes to our story, a youngster without parents whose only memory of a father is that of a no-good rapscallion who dumped him off at an orphanage when Jingo was only five years old. Approximately twelve years old now, Jingo works for the putrid Mrs. Daggatt, proprietor of the orphanage, who cares not for her tender young charges except as a means of revenue; she accomplishes this by loaning out their physical labor services to independent contractors looking for large groups of children who will work on the cheap. Jingo finds his chance to permanently evade the custody of Mrs. Daggatt when a couple of strangers come looking for him at the orphanage: first, the sly and criminally inclined General Scurlock, who has a particular job in mind for Jingo that will put the boy right in the middle of a fight over a possible hidden treasure; second, a tall, intelligent man who goes by several different false names, and claims to be Jingo's father. Jingo understands well enough that the first man's motivation for seeking him out is simple greed, but the second man puzzles him. How could this be his father, when he clearly remembers his uncaring paternal figure as having had only one leg and looking completely different from the person who now claims to be his father? It's clear that this stranger is lying, but what does he have to gain by pretending to be Jingo's father?
When the mysterious stranger hears about the treasure that General Scurlock had enlisted Jingo's help to find, he takes Jingo along with him on an unpredictable adventure across the U.S. that has all the elements of a classic rousing western tale: bandits, clever swindles, the threat of violence, a kidnapping or two, betrayal, a final confrontation involving the bad guys and firearms... Jingo Django lacks nothing of what commonly makes western novels exciting and memorable. And knowing Sid Fleischman, you can count on a few extra surprises in the story that will cause the narrative to veer off into some unexpected new areas.
For my money, the best thing about this book is the intangible us-against-the-world feeling that arises over time between Jingo and the man who claims to be his father. The whole spirit of this part of the story is built on Jingo's base attitude of knowing that he and the man aren't perfect and never will be, but they're capable of doing some awesome things together, and if they can each look past the imperfections of the other, then what could come next is a ride that neither will want to miss. It's sort of a faint watermark of an idea behind the story that we could all learn from observing, to realize that perfection isn't necessary to find a partner for whatever kind of adventure might present itself in our lives, and if we're willing to look past the imperfections of our chosen associates, then we might have the chance to find something extraordinary together.
I would give Jingo Django a solid two and a half stars, and I considered for quite a while rounding that rating up instead of down. There's a lot to speak positively about in this book, and I would readily recommend it to anyone who has enjoyed other works by Sid Fleischman.
November 30, 2007
I read this last when I was about 12 and loved it. I just read it again and loved it more. Now I remember why I read Sid Fleischman so much as a kid. I'm reading it aloud to my eight-year-old every night and every night we get to bed late because neither of us can stop. I didn't tell him, but I read ahead and finished it myself today.
Read it. Just do.
Read it. Just do.
July 4, 2020
Not as "praiseworthy" as By the Great Horn Spoon but still a fun adventure with ship wrecks, hornet nests, maps on whale's teeth and pin heads, and lost fathers. I probably would have liked it more if I hadn't just read By The Great Horn Spoon. You can't really beat gold digging with the world's greatest butler since Jeeves.
August 12, 2025
I enjoyed this story, but I think I was subconsciously comparing it to By the Great Horn Spoon, and sorry, I'm not sure how any book wins that comparison. XD It also left me wondering where the story was going for a long time--especially once the gypsies came into the picture--and I'm finding that the longer it takes for me to figure out a rough sketch of where we're headed, the harder it is for me to settle in and start forming opinions. :P That said, I liked Jingo for the most part, and I came to like Mr. Peacock-Hemlock-Jones quite a lot too. I also appreciated that at least most of his unusual methods of making his way didn't involve outright deception. I liked the focus on creativity and quick thinking and found the humor enjoyable. :)
On a content note, there are a couple of mentions of fortune-telling, treated more as a trick or a way of making money than anything more occult-connected.
On a content note, there are a couple of mentions of fortune-telling, treated more as a trick or a way of making money than anything more occult-connected.
September 17, 2020
What a great sense of humor Sid Fleischman has! His natural way with dialogue is akin to Mark Twain's ability to bring a reader right into the scene. I love the quirky way his characters interact and the way they play with words—brilliant writing! When the kids and I are looking for something to lighten our lives, we return to one of Fleischman's books. A real treat for readers of any age.
July 10, 2023
The ending on this one felt a little rushed – we would have enjoyed it being stretched out a bit more – but overall this was a quick and engaging read aloud. Endearing characters, humor, sometimes challenging language to keep you on your toes, outlandish scenarios, and plenty of adventure. We are big fans of Sid Fleischman's writing!
November 23, 2023
I read this as a teen, and then read it this week, aloud, to my kids. They loved it. It's hard to find something we can all agree on. This was enjoyable for the teens and myself. The small kids didn't much care about the story, without pictures, but they still enjoyed the atmosphere of love and connection.
June 29, 2025
This book is a true wholesome story.
Found family, bonds rebuilt in cute caring way.
A must read with young children <3
I found it a little bit slow, don't know why, when in every chapter something was happening.
Found family, bonds rebuilt in cute caring way.
A must read with young children <3
I found it a little bit slow, don't know why, when in every chapter something was happening.
December 2, 2017
Very fun, in a typical Sid Fleischman way. Lots of twists and turns and funny words. The kids loved it and hated for it to end.
October 3, 2019
Such a cute and fun book. The writing was fantastic and reminded me of books I read growing up and the movies I'd watch with my grandparents.
April 6, 2020
Surprises from chimney sweeps to gypsy wagons, treasure maps to empty portraits. Orphan Jingo races down the road with new friends but villains keep up.
April 13, 2021
Hilarious family read aloud! Loved it!
October 5, 2023
I was unsure of this book after the first chapter or so, but then it was good! I have now read two of Sid Fleischman's books and enjoy the adventure and the author's sense of humor.
May 15, 2024
This is my favorite Sid Fleischman book so far.
March 29, 2013
Join Jingo, make that Django, as he travels South on a whirlwind treasure hunt. He is discovering more about himself as well as about his unknown family.
Jingo is "apprenticed" to General Dirty-Face Scurlock by Mrs. Daggett who runs the orphanage. Scurlock sets up Jingo to be a chimney sweep - crawling up flues to chip away soot. His goal is to escape as quickly as he is able. With the help of a fellow sweep, he escapes, but only to be captured when he returns to hideout at the orphanage. Fortunately, someone else offers to apprentice Jingo - Mr. Peacock. Mrs. Daggett hands over the boy for a handsome profit and Jingo leaves with Mr. Peacock. Mr. Peacock offers Jingo a safe haven in his traveling wagon and an opportunity to pursue a treasure hunt he discovered on a whale's tooth.
Fleischman's story is from the 70's, but his tale will be enjoyed by young listeners today. Themes of adventure, mystery, and treasure never get old.
Charles Carroll narrates Django's story with a mellow tone. The heights and depths of adventure are never too loud or too soft. The even read is very nice. Carroll reminds me of a teacher sharing a story during school. This would be excellent for a family of wide ages to enjoy.
Reviewed from an Audiobook Jukebox copy. Thank you, AudioGo!
Jingo is "apprenticed" to General Dirty-Face Scurlock by Mrs. Daggett who runs the orphanage. Scurlock sets up Jingo to be a chimney sweep - crawling up flues to chip away soot. His goal is to escape as quickly as he is able. With the help of a fellow sweep, he escapes, but only to be captured when he returns to hideout at the orphanage. Fortunately, someone else offers to apprentice Jingo - Mr. Peacock. Mrs. Daggett hands over the boy for a handsome profit and Jingo leaves with Mr. Peacock. Mr. Peacock offers Jingo a safe haven in his traveling wagon and an opportunity to pursue a treasure hunt he discovered on a whale's tooth.
Fleischman's story is from the 70's, but his tale will be enjoyed by young listeners today. Themes of adventure, mystery, and treasure never get old.
Charles Carroll narrates Django's story with a mellow tone. The heights and depths of adventure are never too loud or too soft. The even read is very nice. Carroll reminds me of a teacher sharing a story during school. This would be excellent for a family of wide ages to enjoy.
Reviewed from an Audiobook Jukebox copy. Thank you, AudioGo!
February 11, 2024
Jingo is an orphan in Mrs. Daggett's Beneficent Orphan House. When he is apprenticed to General Dirty-Face Jim Scurlock as a chimney sweep, Jingo decides it is time to strike out on his own. He hides out in the orphanage chimney where he finds a scrimshawed whale's tooth that Mrs. Daggett is hiding from General Scurlock. The drawings are a map to hidden treasure. While Jingo is in the chimney, a Mr. Peacock comes to claim custody of him saying that he is his father. Jingo pairs up with Mr. Peacock-Hemlock-Jones, artiste extraordinaire, and they set off for Mexico and buried treasure. Daggett and Scurlock are close on their heels.
©2024 Kathy Maxwell at https://bookskidslike.com
©2024 Kathy Maxwell at https://bookskidslike.com
February 13, 2016
Jingo Django is set in 1854. The story begins in Boston with a young orphan boy being drafted into cleaning chimneys. Soon, he is sold to Mr. Peacock and off on an adventure out west searching for buried gold coins. Along the way, he learns many new things - how to drive a team of horses, how to travel, how to trust and have a friend and what his real name is. He also learns about Gypsy customs and lifestyle.
Fleischman's vivid descriptive language transports the reader to the time period. Lots of action keep the story moving and the boy creatively foils the plot of the villains near the end. This is a light, cheery story with poignant moments and a lot of depth.
Fleischman's vivid descriptive language transports the reader to the time period. Lots of action keep the story moving and the boy creatively foils the plot of the villains near the end. This is a light, cheery story with poignant moments and a lot of depth.
September 10, 2011
Typical of Fleischman's books (that I've read): this one involves a boy left at an orphanage after his mother dies, where he stays for seven years. His father returns for him, but lets Jingo believe that he's come to apprentice him, preferring that they get to know one another better over the course of the prolonged journey from Boston to Mexico as they go in search of the gold for which Jingo has a scrimshaw map. The gold is real, but the relationship proves more durable.
May 21, 2013
Een boek dat je altijd weer mee verhuisd, doorbladert en nu weer op de stapel legt om weer eens te lezen. Mooie taal, leuk verhaal. Fleischman schrijft goed, ook al is dit een kinderboek, het beklijft en nodigt uit om weer gelezen te worden.
February 11, 2008
I like this author - great for 4th grade.
July 30, 2008
I read this book mainly because I'm a fan of the author. The characters are interesting, and the end is sure to surprise(well, it surprised me at least).
November 20, 2013
a fun book about an orphan who goes looking for treasure. He starts out in Boston and ends up in Texas. I really liked the illustrations.
May 13, 2008
very classic Sid and yet just as funny and clever.
March 25, 2009
William Dufris does a great job on all the voices in this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews