Jackson Jones and the Curse of the Outlaw Rose

published by
Delacorte/Random House

ISBN 0385733496

Chapter book
for ages 7 to 11

Click the book cover
  to purchase online!

Awards and Reviews

Ranger Rick's kidzone Book Nook selection

Recommended Children's Book, The Green Guide

"Heaps of fun .. spark some serious interest in gardening, wildlife and an unusual strand of history"--Washington Post Book World  

"A well-written, fast-paced adventure for early chapter book readers.  Engaging characters, a unique mystery."
--School Library Journal

The Story

Jackson and his friends must deal with the antique rosebush haunting their city community garden in this third book in the humorous series about a boy and his multicultural neighborhood.  Because few people associate the city with Nature, the Jackson Jones books hope to expand awareness by showing urban kids attuned to and caring for the natural world.

Writing Game

Write a Ghost Story.  In Jackson Jones and the Curse of the Outlaw Rose, the rose clipping Jackson takes from a cemetery seems haunted.  Poison ivy, broken bones, and stinging bees afflict those who touch it.  Try creating your own ghost story.  Although we usually associate ghosts with old houses, have your ghost haunt something unusual--for example, a tree, playground, or school cafeteria.  Why has your ghost chosen that spot?  What funny or scary things happen and how do people react?  Finally, how is your ghost laid to rest?

Read publisher's Q&A sheet for Jackson Jones and the Curse of the Outlaw Rose.

Check out Gardening and Kids sheet for activities, resources, and writing games.

See Teaching and Writing Activities for the Jackson Jones series and Mary's other books.