The Several Lives of Orphan Jack

A review of The Several Lives Of Orphan Jack by Sarah Ellis

Published on April 1, 2004

The Several Lives Of Orphan Jack
Sarah Ellis

Groundwood Books
$14.95
0-888-99-529-6

Sarah Ellis’s The Several Lives of Orphan Jack chronicles the adventures of a clever 12-year-old orphan named Jack. He was a master at avoiding trouble at the orphanage, but in his newfound life of freedom, he develops a knack for attracting it. To survive in the world, he must come up with a way to earn a living. Jack, a quick thinker and a lover of words, becomes an idea seller, convincing people to pay him with goods and money to hear his ideas. This middle-grade book about making one’s way in the world is a short, fun read, full of rich and delicious language. Illustrations by Bruno St. Aubin add to the charm. mRb

Carol-Ann Hoyte is the Quebec English-language regional coordinator for TD Canadian Children's Book Week and organizer of monthly mixers for Montreal anglophone children's book authors and illustrators.

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