ack lives a heads or tails life when one flip of the coin can change his life for good or bad. While the coin consistently flips on the loosing side, he finds adventure and drama at each turn.

With a father who cannot seem to find the right job, nor can he keep it, living in six rental homes in five years keeps him hoping and navigating different rules and different schools.

A sister who is bratty and cruel, a little brother who is insistent of wanting Jack's attention, and a mother who does the best she can through it all, Jack never misses opportunity to get in trouble.

Written from Jack's perspective, the style if funny and engaging. I laughed out loud at some of these exploits.

While poverty isn't funny, the stories told made me want to walk along with Jack and see the world through his humorous eyes. ( )

An enjoyable read, particularly for boys, and for readers who are just working their way up to chapter books. It is broken down into 8 distinct stories, which may make the length easier to manage. ( )

Characters:
· Jack (about 10) – a middle child who is developing an identity of his own by copying others.
· Betsey – (about 16) Jack’s older intolerant big sister (usually the subject of Jack’s copying).
· Pete – (about 4) Jack’s little brother, and main responsibility.
· Mom – works at a bank, loves the Vienna Boy’s Choir
· Dad – frequently out of work former stunt pilot, who dreams of inventions and better times
Notes:
o Diary-like, illustrated chapter pages portray the diary mentioned in the book
o Jack can’t figure out what to write in his diary (he insisted on one after his sister started one) so he smashes some of Florida’s many bugs between the pages
o Colorful cover illustrations depict memorable moments
o Very interesting snapshot of childhood in Florida during the late sixties. Alligators, golf, Ft. Lauderdale, Morrison’s Cafeteria
o Cultural references; The Sound of Music, Cocoa Beach boom, Planet of the Apes, Godzilla
o Hilarious neighbors and cast of characters; the crazy stinky criminal Pagoda family, burnt out teacher, UFO abducted uncle, bug laden diary,

Subjects/topics/themes: death of an extended family member, family ties, moving, school, diary,
Related titles: Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, Sugar Babies.
Annotation: Jack is always the new kid in school, and has a hard time being his own person. In discovering who he is, he also comes to know the value of family in a funny and introspective journey

SLJ starred review!