Heads or Tails

Jack's life is a crazy roller-coaster ride. At his fifth school in six years, he has a crackpot teacher who won't give him a break about his lousy handwriting and a secret crush who wants to be a policewoman. At home, he has a pesky little brother with a knack for breaking an arm whenever Jack's supposed to be looking after him, a terror for an older sister who mocks his belief in UFOs, all sorts of weird neighbors, and, last but not least, ferocious alligators in the canal behind his house.

Writing in his diary about his good days and bad days is one way Jack survives his up-and-down year, but he's also a kid who knows that life can go any which way at any given moment. He might as well flip a coin: heads he wins, tails he loses. What will turn up next?

Praise

"The author of the offbeat Rotten Ralph picture books makes an auspicious foray into new ground with this semi-autobiographical, wholly engaging novel. His narrator, Jack, travels through the often poignant moments that highlight his sixth-grade year."—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

About the Author(s)

Jack Gantos

Jack Gantos has written many picture books and novels, including Dead End in Norvelt, a Newbery Medal winner. He lives in Boston, Massachusetts, with his wife and daughter.

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Guides

Teacher's Guide

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