Review: The Mostly True Story of Jack

The Mostly True Story of Jack

by Kelly Barnhill

Book Description:

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, three astonishing things happen: First, he makes friends -- not imaginary friends but actual friends. Second, he is beaten up by the town bully; the bullies at home always ignored him. Third, 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, well, invisible.

Review:

This was a magical tale, but it's that kind of magic that turns out to be creepy. I felt bad for Jack as he was trying to figure out who and possibly what he was...and yet, he was a really good guy and he made new, loyal friends in his new town.

I liked the writing style of this book a lot. It was like a fairy tale, but also realistic. I love stories about magic that comes from the earth and things around us, so this was a fun read for me. I'll definitely be checking out Barnhill's next book.