A Kid for Jack: A true story

by Fourth Grade Students of Piney Grove Elementary

Adults and kids alike will fall in love with Jack in this touching true story of one dog’s journey to find a family of his own. Through a series of lucky and some not-so-lucky events, Jack overcomes his past and finds a bright new future.

Genres: Picture Books

Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I give this book a 3 star rating.

This book is about Jack and his story about finding a home. What is unique about this book is that fourth grade students wrote this book. Jack went place to place till he was finally adopted to a family.

Ways to use this in a classroom
1) Why do we have this dog/ human relationship? Do you have this relationship?
2) Lesson about finding the place to be home
3) Write a story about another animal

[Paulina Paredes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book tells a true story about a dog who was a stray then ended up in a happy home. I enjoyed this book because the authors and illustrators were fourth grade students and we need to be teaching kids adopting is the best way to get a pet!

[Baby Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!

Hello, friends! We’re back today with a review of A Kid For Jack: A True Story, written and illustrated by the Fourth Grade Students of Piney Grove Elementary in Kernersville, NC. This was one of the books created through Scholastic’s Kids Are Authors contest program, and tells the true story of a stray dog finding his forever home.

Jack is a stray, but he dreams of a better life. He hopes someday to have a home, and a kid of his own to give him tummy rubs. One day, Jack is hit by a car, sparking a series of events that will change his life. He is taken to a vet who takes care for him and, from there, taken to a prison and enrolled in the New Leash On Life program, where an inmate gives Jack obedience training. After he finishes the program and his hurts have healed, he’s taken to a festival to find potential families, but the big dog with a limp is not what most are looking for. However, there is one little girl who takes a shine to him, and leaves him hoping: could this be the kid that Jack has been waiting for?

This is a fantastic stray pup story, made all the better by that fact that it’s true. Told in (quite literally) a child’s voice, Jack’s story is one of hope, love, and how a small act of kindness in an animal’s life can make an enormous difference. Interestingly, it also exposes young readers to a view of prison inmates that is incredibly rare in children’s books, that of benevolent characters who are helpful and caring towards Jack. It’s quite a surprise, and could be very helpful in starting a discussion about how some people in prisons just want to turn their lives, like Jack’s, around. The art is wonderfully sweet: clearly some young people creating the scenes with their imaginations and, taking that into consideration, pretty darn good. The length is fine, edging on long for the littlest readers, but JJ enjoys this one whenever we read it. A wonderful book made by kids for kids, and it’s Baby Bookworm approved!

Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!

[Jean Hussey-Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book! This was written by a fourth grade class right here in North Carolina. It is a true story of a stray dog that finds a great new home with kids who love him. Children who read/hear this story will be able to understand that they took can be great writers. I believe reading this to my class will inspire a lot of new authors. I also think it is important to highlight that there are programs for inmates to train dogs; showing that those who are incarcerated are trying to fit back into society.

[Amanda Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is awesome! It is written by an actual fourth grade class from North Carolina. It's about a dog named Jack who wants badly to be adopted. This would be an excellent book to read to students because it would show them that they too can be writers and readers and have their masterpieces published. It's about teamwork and accomplishing a shared goal. Having your class make their own book, even if it never is published, is a great idea to get kids involved and feel like they matter.

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love that fourth graders wrote this book. Not only is the story wonderful but showing students that this book has child authors will motivate, encourage and inspire other children to be authors. Helping students realize that they are real authors who make real books will change their mindset on being writers. Nice job Fourth Grade Students from Piney Grove Elementary!