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Jesse and the Thinkers
"The whole playground stopped, all the birds in the trees flew away, the fresh leaves withered and fell to the ground, and everybody's ice cream suddenly melted."
In a normal world, 12 year old Jesse Winkler is one of the few who dare to stand out.
'A weirdo,' the children at the adventure playground call him, and not just because of his red bow tie. Strange things always seem to happen when Jesse is around.
No one can quite figure out what 'brave Jake,' who just happens to be the most popular kid in the playground, sees in 'weirdo' Jesse. But Jake always knew. He could just tell. One person's weirdo, is another person's hero.
Jesse and the Thinkers is an adventure story of friendship, magical mystery and suspense.
Along the journey awaits allies, enemies, and an evil beyond description with an obsession for death and destruction. He knows they are coming, but while there is Jesse, there is hope.
It's time to wake up and start dreaming.
In a normal world, 12 year old Jesse Winkler is one of the few who dare to stand out.
'A weirdo,' the children at the adventure playground call him, and not just because of his red bow tie. Strange things always seem to happen when Jesse is around.
No one can quite figure out what 'brave Jake,' who just happens to be the most popular kid in the playground, sees in 'weirdo' Jesse. But Jake always knew. He could just tell. One person's weirdo, is another person's hero.
Jesse and the Thinkers is an adventure story of friendship, magical mystery and suspense.
Along the journey awaits allies, enemies, and an evil beyond description with an obsession for death and destruction. He knows they are coming, but while there is Jesse, there is hope.
It's time to wake up and start dreaming.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 4, 2016
3 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 17, 2019
I got a copy of the book from the author in exchange for a review.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I am not sure that it should only be classified as children's literature, although the characters are young and still at school. The imaginative and positive message of this book will speak to young and old.
The quirky, outsider character of Jesse speaks to us all. He thinks and do differently than the rest, but he has a friend, and the friend's father, who understands him. What more can you wish for? And then they have a whole new reality and adventure through a gateway into Thinkland.
My daughter of 10 and I was listening, but she stopped. That's why I think it is for an older age group. 12 years - 100 years, because the message is profound. I would love for her to read the book at a later stage. I would love for her to learn how powerful our minds can be, and how we can impact our own lives with our thoughts. Also to learn to see life in a more colourful and positive way... I will keep this book for her!
Ken John says that he wrote the book after a near-death experience. That perhaps explains the "paradise" of a place like Thinkland? (I would love to see it in a movie! I hope somebody turns the text into a movie!)
Thoughts create your reality! There were so many wonderful quotes in this book:
"Daydreaming rejuvenates the mind and increases creativity. Children who daydream are the future inventors, poets, and entrepreneurs of this world."
"You have to stretch the very fabric of your imagination and then just do it."
"Mother, how many times have I told you that you cannot wish luck on somebody, they have to create it for themselves"...
The story-line and adventures are fantastical, but it adds to the allure of this book. Thoughts are the most powerful, a message that I totally believes. Thank you, Ken John, for taking us on the ride!
I give this book 4.5 out of 5. I can't wait to read the next book after this one!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I am not sure that it should only be classified as children's literature, although the characters are young and still at school. The imaginative and positive message of this book will speak to young and old.
The quirky, outsider character of Jesse speaks to us all. He thinks and do differently than the rest, but he has a friend, and the friend's father, who understands him. What more can you wish for? And then they have a whole new reality and adventure through a gateway into Thinkland.
My daughter of 10 and I was listening, but she stopped. That's why I think it is for an older age group. 12 years - 100 years, because the message is profound. I would love for her to read the book at a later stage. I would love for her to learn how powerful our minds can be, and how we can impact our own lives with our thoughts. Also to learn to see life in a more colourful and positive way... I will keep this book for her!
Ken John says that he wrote the book after a near-death experience. That perhaps explains the "paradise" of a place like Thinkland? (I would love to see it in a movie! I hope somebody turns the text into a movie!)
Thoughts create your reality! There were so many wonderful quotes in this book:
"Daydreaming rejuvenates the mind and increases creativity. Children who daydream are the future inventors, poets, and entrepreneurs of this world."
"You have to stretch the very fabric of your imagination and then just do it."
"Mother, how many times have I told you that you cannot wish luck on somebody, they have to create it for themselves"...
The story-line and adventures are fantastical, but it adds to the allure of this book. Thoughts are the most powerful, a message that I totally believes. Thank you, Ken John, for taking us on the ride!
I give this book 4.5 out of 5. I can't wait to read the next book after this one!
October 6, 2019
I was delighted to have the chance to read a this book, which otherwise would have escaped my attention if it hadn't been pointed out to me. Jesse and the Thinkers I found to be a fun book which would make a good animated feature. Jesse is a boy that does not see reality in the same was as the rest of us. In this and his unconventional manner of problem solving I was reminded of my autistic son. I think this would be a wonderful book to introduce to children who are autistic or otherwise gifted to help increase their confidence, or to those children who have friends or classmates on the spectrum. I am not sure if the author -meant- to represent those children or not. I -do- wish that this book had been around when my son was much younger though. Reading it to him would have gone MILES in helping build his self esteem faster.
Readers that enjoyed Pennyroyal Academy, Harry Potter, or Gilbert and the Scepter of Silence will find this in their arena I believe. The story and characters are a bit quirky, which makes the adventure a bit tongue and cheek and will give the younger family members some giggles. That quirkiness is balanced well with a good bit of seriousness though as young Jesse and his friend Jake find themselves tied into the fate of Thinkland. It is a good story in what looks to be a coming of age series. I did find the writing a little simplistic at times, but that I believe to be due to the background most of my reading is in, and this is geared more to the younger set than for the older set. It's a good bridging book!
Readers that enjoyed Pennyroyal Academy, Harry Potter, or Gilbert and the Scepter of Silence will find this in their arena I believe. The story and characters are a bit quirky, which makes the adventure a bit tongue and cheek and will give the younger family members some giggles. That quirkiness is balanced well with a good bit of seriousness though as young Jesse and his friend Jake find themselves tied into the fate of Thinkland. It is a good story in what looks to be a coming of age series. I did find the writing a little simplistic at times, but that I believe to be due to the background most of my reading is in, and this is geared more to the younger set than for the older set. It's a good bridging book!
June 7, 2020
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for the review. I really liked this book. I loved Jesse he is wise beyond his years and reminded me of Dumbledore and the kids from the movie The Kid Who Would be King. This book is mixed with fantasy, romance and adventure. I loved being swept to a different world and cannot wait for the next book!
Synopsis: Jesse and the Thinkers is an adventure story of friendship, magical mystery and suspense.
Along the journey awaits allies, enemies, and an evil beyond description with an obsession for death and destruction. He knows they are coming, but while there is Jesse, there is hope.
This book in 3 emojis: 👔👑 🌎
Synopsis: Jesse and the Thinkers is an adventure story of friendship, magical mystery and suspense.
Along the journey awaits allies, enemies, and an evil beyond description with an obsession for death and destruction. He knows they are coming, but while there is Jesse, there is hope.
This book in 3 emojis: 👔👑 🌎
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October 11, 2019THIS BOOK HAS BEEN RE-EDITED, UPDATED AND RE-RELEASED AS OF AUGUST 11th 2019.
PLEASE LEAVE ALL REVIEWS ON THE UPDATED BOOK PAGE___Jesse & The Thinkers (Jesse & Jake Book 1) by KEN JOHN.
BOOK 2 IS ALSO AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Jesse, Jake & The Return of Antheia
PLEASE LEAVE ALL REVIEWS ON THE UPDATED BOOK PAGE___Jesse & The Thinkers (Jesse & Jake Book 1) by KEN JOHN.
BOOK 2 IS ALSO AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Jesse, Jake & The Return of Antheia
October 9, 2016
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book
I know I tend to say this about most of the books I’ve read for the first time but I think that this book tops the others, it’s so different and interesting. The writing needs some work, it felt rushed trying to get everything into it.
The plot was good, though a little slow to get going. I liked this book and I’m extremely curious as to what happens next, I need to know. The writing was simple and slightly choppy but with enough oomph to keep the reader interested, especially near the end.
The little romance that is in this book seems rushed, I do wish there had been more “screen” time with the couple, I never could really feel a connection for them or between them.
I do have a few notes for the writing.
The writing is a tad choppy and with the little detail there was I didn’t really feel any excitement, no urgency, and there’s hardly any contractions used so it makes even the story sound formal. Without the use of contractions, the bully sounded like he was trying to be tough and proper and it just didn’t work.
The characters tend to parrot each other from time to time and while I expected it from one character, it was a little much from the others.
I think it would have made the book better if there had been more detail, especially when the characters were supposed to be excited.
While the writing could have been better, this story was an interesting read that actually did suck me into a land where the mind can run free and the ending is tense and makes me want so much more, I’m so excited for the next book to come out.
Thank you for reading my review.
-Sam
I know I tend to say this about most of the books I’ve read for the first time but I think that this book tops the others, it’s so different and interesting. The writing needs some work, it felt rushed trying to get everything into it.
The plot was good, though a little slow to get going. I liked this book and I’m extremely curious as to what happens next, I need to know. The writing was simple and slightly choppy but with enough oomph to keep the reader interested, especially near the end.
The little romance that is in this book seems rushed, I do wish there had been more “screen” time with the couple, I never could really feel a connection for them or between them.
I do have a few notes for the writing.
The writing is a tad choppy and with the little detail there was I didn’t really feel any excitement, no urgency, and there’s hardly any contractions used so it makes even the story sound formal. Without the use of contractions, the bully sounded like he was trying to be tough and proper and it just didn’t work.
The characters tend to parrot each other from time to time and while I expected it from one character, it was a little much from the others.
I think it would have made the book better if there had been more detail, especially when the characters were supposed to be excited.
While the writing could have been better, this story was an interesting read that actually did suck me into a land where the mind can run free and the ending is tense and makes me want so much more, I’m so excited for the next book to come out.
Thank you for reading my review.
-Sam
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July 9, 2016I like it....want to read next book...
If there is another one.
If there is another one.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews