The Mostly True Story of Jack

Kelly Barnhill

Paperback

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Do you recommend this book?

Yes!

★ "The ultimate page-turner."―Kirkus Reviews, starred review

Newbery Medal-winning author of The Girl Who Drank the Moon Kelly Barnhill's debut novel is an eerie tale of magic, friendship, and sacrifice.

Enter a world where magic bubbles just below the surface. . . .

When Jack is sent to Hazelwood, Iowa, to live with his strange aunt and uncle, he expects a summer of boredom. Little does he know that the people of Hazelwood have been waiting for him for quite a long time. When he arrives, he begins to make actual friends for the first time in his life-but the town bully beats him up and the richest man in town begins to plot Jack's imminent, and hopefully painful, demise. It's up to Jack to figure out why suddenly everyone cares so much about him. Back home he was practically... invisible.

The Mostly True Story of Jack is a stunning debut novel about things broken, things put back together, and finding a place to belong.

"Recalls Lemony Snicket and Blue Balliett...a delightfully unusual gem." --Los Angeles Times

DON'T MISS THESE OTHER ACCLAIMED BOOKS BY KELLY BARNHILL:
Iron Hearted Violet
The Witch's Boy
The Girl Who Drank the Moon
The Ogress and the Orphans

Book Details

Publisher: Little Brown and Company
Publish Date: Sep 1st, 2012
Pages: 352
Language: English
Edition: undefined - undefined
Dimensions: 7.67in - 5.39in - 0.89in - 0.56lb
EAN: 9780316056724
Recommended age: 08-12
Categories: • Fairy Tales & Folklore - Adaptations• Family - General (see also headings under Social Themes)• Social Themes - Friendship

About the Author

Kelly Barnhill is a bestselling author of books for children and adults, including The Girl Who Drank the Moon, winner of the Newbery Medal; The Ogress and the Orphans, a National Book Award finalist; and the highly acclaimed novels for young readers The Witch's Boy, Iron Hearted Violet, and The Mostly True Story of Jack. She is also a winner of the World Fantasy Award and has been a finalist for the Minnesota Book Award, the Andre Norton Nebula Award, and the PEN America Literary Award. Kelly lives in Minnesota with her husband and three children, and she invites you to visit her online at kellybarnhill.com or on Bluesky @kellybarnhill.bsky.social.

Praise for this book

* "Wonderful in the best possible way: filled with wonders and magic, yes, but magic that is ancient, numinous, and tied to the natural world...Barnhill's first novel for children is a marvel of both plotting and characterization, and it provides a foundation for the omnipresent magic that elevates this title to the first rank of contemporary children's literature."--Booklist, starred review

* "A compelling story with genuine characters and a deliciously creepy atmosphere. The suspense builds from the very first page...This delightful story will captivate readers with its blend of magic, mystery, and adventure."--VOYA, starred review

"There's a dry wit and playfulness to Barnhill's writing that recalls Lemony Snicket and Blue Balliett...a delightfully unusual gem."--The Los Angeles Times

"Richly atmospheric, this folklorically flavored tale offers a strangely pleasing combination of midwestern charm and hauntingly creepy Tim Burton-like imagination. Barnhill reveals just enough of Hazelwood's many secrets to keep the readers gripped, and the perfectly timed pacing makes for a quick and accessible read."--The Bulletin

Kirkus Reviews, starred review

Publishers Weekly, starred review