Black Jack Jetty

Gr 4—6—In this timely novel, Carestio tells the story of Jack, whose soldier father died in Afghanistan. The 10-year-old is not ready to let go of his grief as he and his mother travel from Colorado to the New Jersey shore to spend the summer with his father's relatives, including a houseful of noisy cousins. Jack listens with a mixture of sadness and wonder as the adults talk about his father when he was a young man down at the shore. Jack's mother always seems to anticipate his mood and is there for him whether he wants to talk, or just be alone with sadness. The boy's anger, guilt, and anxiety are all natural expressions of grief and realistic elements in the story. The plot also revolves around an unsolved mystery at the family home, and Jack's unique personality makes him the perfect candidate to solve it. When the story ends, Carestio speaks directly to children who have experienced the death of a parent, writing realistically about what to expect. While this book will not take the place of a loving adult, or therapist, it can be one way to help children talk about their feelings.—Wendy Smith-D'Arezzo, Loyola College, Baltimore, MD