Jack the Castaway

Gr 4–6—Jack's parents have been all over the world in an effort to get rich quick, while leaving him with his aunt and uncle. Following the death of Jack's Aunt Julia, the boy must now live with his parents and participate in their latest scheme: snorkeling tours in the Caribbean. Unfortunately for Jack, they run out of fuel on an excursion together and, as the title suggests, Jack and his family find themselves shipwrecked. Will the Berensons escape unscathed? Will Jack actually befriend a whale shark named Tom? The story is a well-written debut novel and an introduction to a fun cast of characters and a series certain to be full of adventure. Pencil illustrations bring life to Jack and all of the craziness he and his family experience. This will likely entertain even the most reluctant of readers.—Wayne R. Cherry, Jr., First Baptist Academy Library, Houston, TX