Jackson Jones and the puddle of thorns

by Mary Quattlebaum

Book by Quattlebaum, Mary

Genres: Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Middle Grade, Juvenile, Friendship, Childrens, Chapter Books

113 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

Reviews

[Mystique · Rating 4 out of 5]

I volunteer with In2Books as a reading penpal for inner city kids in low income school zones. This book was chosen by Cameron, my In2Books penpal. Cameron is in 4th grade.
I think it's a great literary choice for kids in grades 2-6, depending on reading ability, maturity level, and interest.

Summary: It is Jackson Jones' birthday. He desperately wants a new basketball, but instead, Jackson's mother presents him with a garden plot in the middle of their urban scene. Jackson's mother wants to instill some of her countryside roots in her son, but Jackson just wants that basketball! Jackson is initially disappointed, but he is also a visionary, not to mention a motivator of people. Jackson begins to see the irritating characteristics of his friends in a new light, understanding how they can be valuable business partners. He starts to see the garden plot now how it is currently, but how it can be...and also, how it can "make" a basketball.

I find this book to be inspirational, layered, and well-written. It is a book of morals, without being preachy. It shows children how to be resourceful, how to see everything as an opportunity, and how to find the good in everything, and in everyone.

I highly recommend it to parents and teachers.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one might be a good guided reading title for our 5th graders.

[Karen GoatKeeper · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jackson Jones wants a basketball for his birthday. He gets a garden plot. He plans to grow flowers to sell for money to buy the basketball.
Plans are plans only. Life is what happens to disrupt them. Those disruptions could be a good thing, if you give them a chance.
Jackson is cute, humorous. His escapades make you cringe a bit. His naivety can be maddening.
The book is a fast, fun, easy read.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a boy who is given a garden plot for his tenth birthday. He devised a plan to make a business out it so that he can kill two birds with one stone; buy a birthday present for his mother and get the basketball he's always wanted. There weren't many illustrations in the book, but the pictures that were in there looked like drawing done with a drafting pencil. Nothing was in color but they were wonderfully detailed. I gave this book 4 stars only because it struck my interest being that I tried being a little entrepreneur myself as a child; trying to sell lemonade. I didn't make as much money as Jackson Jones did. I liked that this book was read by my 4th & 5th graders and they were able to relate to it as well.

I think this book would be good to read while having a lesson starting your own business. There were some good teaching points where students were able to discuss what good and bad business ethics Jackson Jones and his friends had. A good way to compare and contrast that would be to use a Venn Diagram. Some good vocabulary words would be: business, ethics, entrepreneur, plot, determination, resilience, consequences, and community. Another lesson that can be taught is learning how to have a classroom community. A good resource for that would be: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&r...

Grade level of interest: 4th and 5th, Lexile: 510L, Guided Reading Level: P

[Crystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was chosen by my 3rd pen pal in Texas. He and I were matched together through in2Books and we both read this, and will write e-letters back in forth.

I was shocked at the variety of emotions, and lessons, within the story. It would be a great guided reading book for small groups or large class. Reading level is marked at 4.3 and the reasons I think... complexity of variety of characters, lots of dialogue, and some bullying. All the elements can be used to teach connections and lessons in a classroom.

[Ch_kendrachristo · Rating 2 out of 5]

The truly boring tale of a city boy whose mother gives him a garden plot for his tenth birthday. The main character, Jackson, comes up with a plan to use the garden to make money so that he can buy what he really wanted, which is a basketball. Along the way, Jackson learns how to treat his friends and how to deal with a bully.

[Jared · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jackson Jones, 10-year-old, gets a garden plot for his birthday instead of the basketball he wants. With an entrepreneurial spirit and a good bit of sweat he decides to turn the garden into a basketball. His efforts result in stress among his best friends and cause the school bully to pick on him. Well told, great characters, and a fun story.

[Kylie (LitwithKylieJo) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fantastic book to read and discuss with kids. I read this for In2Books, a volunteer, e-mentoring program, and found it raised numerous excellent questions for my mentee to consider. It also had valuable things for me to think about along the way, as well.

[Cornelia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the story of a 10 year-old boy who wants a basketball for his birthday, but gets a garden plot. From here it is a matter of plotting and planning and a little planting to get what he wants. Jackson Jones and the other creative characters offer adventures in and out of the garden.

[Rachel · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oh man, this was the "cool kid on the block" book when I was a kid. Now that I've re-read it, I've realized how lame it is.

[Meg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Battle of the Books - A cute story with a good message. I had never heard of it before I saw the list for EBOB. I think the kids will enjoy it.

[Andy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good - lots of the emotional moments ring true to me. A good option for 9 or 10 year olds that want a quick 113 page read, especially urban kids.

[Raquan]

great book fantasy rayray out later