Jackson
Jones
and the Puddle of Thorns
ISBN 0440410665
Novel for ages 6 to 10.
Click the book cover to purchase online!
Awards & Reviews
Marguerite
de Angeli Prize
Parenting Reading Magic Award
Blue Ribbon from The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books State Masterlists
(Texas Bluebonnet, Florida, Rhode Island)
NEA's Read Across America pick, 2005
Quattlebaum
has created a winning cast of characters--both children and adults--and a
savvy young hero whom readers will like--and respect. School Library
Journal - Starred Review
Full of action and street-smart language.... Things get thorny for Jackson, but not for readers of this breezy book. Chicago Tribune
Children will love entrepreneurial young Jackson and his multi-cultural inner-city neighbors and friends. Jackson Jones is a totally authentic hero. The Boston Globe
The Story
Jackson Jones is stunned. His mother has given him
a plot in the city community garden for his birthday. What kind of present
is that? He and his friends come up with a moneymaking scheme for the garden
so Jackson can buy the basketball he really wants. But the plans go wrong
when the neighborhood bully starts calling him "Bouquet Jones." That garden
is nothing but trouble and weeds--or is it?
Writing Games
The idea for this book grew (pun intended!) out of the city community
garden where my husband and I had a plot. It started about 50 years ago as
a victory garden to grow food during World War II. Like Jackson, I sometimes
felt my garden grew nothing but weeds! But it was always great to see those
first seedlings sprout. 1. What if, like Jackson, you got a present you didn't
want? Jackson doesn't want to hurt his mother's feelings so he doesn't say
anything. Try writing a story about what you would do. 2. Jackson's friend
Reuben gives him a cool surprise. Have you ever given a fun surprise to someone?
Think about someone you'd like to surprise. What would you give or do for
this person? What would you do to keep it a surprise? Maybe you can even write
your own story about a surprise--and surprise that person!