Jack Strong Takes a Stand

August 12, 2013
Between school, orchestra, tutoring, karate, and swimming, 12-year-old Jack Strong has a full schedule, designed by his father to ensure he’ll get into a good college. But after a week when Jack is stuck in Chinese class while the ice cream store gives away sundaes, must attend a cello recital instead of a party, and can’t celebrate his own game-winning hit with the baseball team because he’s due at tennis, Jack shuts down. Like Bartleby the Scrivener, he refuses to budge, intent to sit on the couch until he is allowed to reduce his workload. The school newspaper gets wind of his strike and spreads word about one boy’s heroic opposition to overprogramming. Greenwald (the Charlie Joe Jackson series) has a good eye for authentic details that breathe life into characters: Jack’s mother “watched about one pitch per game, the rest of the time she was yakking,” while his father videotapes every at-bat. In the end, common sense prevails, and a family emergency makes Jack realize his EMT training is not such a bad idea. Mendes contributes humorous b&w spot illustrations. Ages 8–12.

July 15, 2013
Jack Strong is an ordinary kid with an extraordinary schedule who finally chooses to become a couch potato to make his point. Cello, soccer, tennis, EMT training, Chinese: Jack's parents, especially his dad, expect him to be a well-rounded person when it becomes time to apply for college, and to this end, they are filling his days with an overload of extracurricular activities. But what Jack really wants is more time on his couch, where he can spend some quality time daydreaming. One afternoon, Jack can't take it anymore and goes on strike; he refuses to get off the couch until his parents agree to let him quit the activities he doesn't like to do. Publicity and hilarity ensue, which Jack finds a nice change, but soon he realizes there are greater things worth standing up for, like the very family he's angry at. Greenwald, author of the Charlie Joe Jackson series, writes with a relaxed tone that young readers will identify with, and he touches on subjects that kids and parents alike will find relevant, capturing the conundrum of overscheduling with poignancy and humor. While a few plot points are a little far-fetched, overall the book offers a winning combination of ethics and slapstick. Drawings by Mendes are simple but effective. A cautionary tale the whole family will find amusing and enlightening. (Fiction. 8-11)

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October 1, 2013

Gr 4-6-Jack Strong feels like the most overscheduled middle schooler in the world. His parents, who want him to be prepared for college, have enrolled him in every enrichment activity possible, including cello, tutoring, karate, and Chinese lessons. One day, he decides to go on strike. He stages a sit-in on his couch and refuses to get up until his parents let him quit some of the extracurriculars. The local TV station takes an interest, which leads to protests and counter-protests outside his home. It also creates disruptions within his family, as his father opposes him, his grandmother staunchly supports him, and his mother tries to keep the peace. Jack is a thoroughly likable character with a wry sense of humor, and, as he narrates his story, readers will understand his frustration. Mendes's cartoon sketches are a good match for this funny and fast-moving tale. As the whole situation spirals out of control, Greenwald successfully melds plot and character surprises to engage youngsters and brings the story to an emotionally satisfying conclusion. Both avid and reluctant readers will enjoy meeting Jack Strong.-Carole Phillips, Greenacres Elementary School, Scarsdale, NY

Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 15, 2013
Grades 3-6 Jack Strong likes Little League. And he doesn't mind playing the cello. But he could live without his Chinese lessons. Ditto karate, swimming, and tennis. On the day he is too tired to go to soccer practice, he makes a decision: he will stay on the couch until his parents let him drop some of his activities. So begins an amusing crusade that finds Jack couch bound (food and bathroom breaks allowed) while events swirl around him. His parents argue, a school newspaper picks up his story, and finally a TV reporter gets wind of Jack's stand, causing new problems. Jack (introduced in Charlie Joe Jackson's Guide to Summer Vacation, 2013) is an everyday hero that kids, especially of the overscheduled variety, will identify with. Though some of the adult characters are sketched in, rather than fully fleshed out, they usefully present other points of view. Lots of line drawings and an approachable design will make this readily accessible to reluctant readers, but this is sure to entice a wide range of kids, who may just want to stage standoffs themselves.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)