Flash Jack
Maureen McCarthy

Puffin: Teenage 2001
273p pbk $14.95

0-14-131170-3

When burglars break into Jack's house, they take all his stuff. Now he's got no skateboard, no TV, no music, nothing. All his brothers do are fight, his mum thinks they all need counseling, his dad's trying to set an example, but hey, who's interested? Jack just wants to get out of that house. So he does. And he meets Diana. And her dog. And her grandma, who wears tiger-skin bikinis. They're all pretty vicious. And suddenly, life is anything but boring.

Flash Jack is a really good book I enjoyed it very much and I recommend the book to all teenagers who like a good comedy and a laugh. Dianas grandmother was my favorite character in the book I give Maureen a 10 out of 10 for putting the Grandma in the book. This is a great novel along with some others that Maureen wrote such as Queen Kat, Carmel and St. Jude Get A Life. If you have not read this book already I suggest you go get yourself a copy today. I give the book a 10/10 it was great.
Owen, aged 15, Canberra, ACT

 

The story starts off with Jack, our main character, arriving home with his family only to find that his house has been robbed and there is nothing left. Rather than be doomed and spend the rest of his summer bored, Jack decides to take a look around the neighbourhood.  Not far from his house he sees another somewhat unusual place.  It's not the house that catches his eye, but what's in front of it: 2 women, both fat and one old sunbaking in tiger skin bikinis.  Suddenly a girl leaps out and squirts them both with a hose and this is how Jack meets Diana.   The two become close friends-extremely close friends, and spend lots of time with each other. All is fine until Frank, Jack's older brother goes missing.  After a couple of nights, Frank is still missing so Jack sets out to find him.  While he is looking he finds out a secret that could destroy his friendship with Diana forever

I recommend the book for ages 14+.

Kerrie, aged 13, Canberra, ACT

 

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