The Janitors Boy

The "Hook"

"Jack was angry at his dad, and he was angry at himself, and he hated the way things were spinning out of control. He clenched his jaw and worked very hard to keep his eyes from filling up with tears.

Jack had been asked a question, and Mr. Ackerby didn't like waiting. He leaned forward and spoke even louder. 'I demand an answer, young man. Look at this mess! What were you thinking?'
Jack glanced at the desk, then into Mr. Ackerby's squinty eyes, and then back to his ugly necktie. Jack couldn't quite explain that question to himself, not clearly, and there was no way he was going to open up and try to explain all his feelings this guy.
So Jack said, 'I don't know. I just. . .I just did it'
As if he could not believe what he was hearing, Mr. Ackerby bent his face down close to Jack's and repeated, 'You 'just did it'? Well, you know what,buddy boy? You're going to just UN-did it!" (pages 28-29)
 "An open lock is a temptation for some people. For Jack it was more like an invitation. It wasn't like he was cracking a safe or robbing a bank. He was only interested in the lock- at first. ...Turning back to the cabinet, Jack was all set to put the lock back just as he'd found it. But almost as an afterthought he flipped the latch off the doors and pulled on both at once.There was a soft jingling, and as the doors opened wide so did Jack's eyes and mouth." (page 64)

Recommendation
Have you ever experienced a life learned lesson? Well, here's a life learned lesson; Never Ever Stick Gum On School Property! Why? Because if your dad or any relative is the janitor, you might just have to be on gum patrol for the rest of the year.This is what happened to Jack Rankin. Jack's dad is the janitor at his school and he gets humiliated by all the kids in his class. No one really wants to be his friend. But when his dad, John, makes a mistake all Jack wants to do is strangle him. Will Jack survive school knowing his dad's the janitor? Will he keep up with gum patrol or will he fail 5th grade? Find out in The Janitors Boy!!

Blog By: Sheridan M.
Book By: Andrew Clements
Genre: Realistic Fiction