Black Jack Jetty: A Boy's Journey Through Grief

by Michael A. Carestio

Overview

Ever since his soldier father is killed in Afghanistan, Jack has been frightened. He has nightmares. He doesn't see his friends as often. He worries. He worries all the time. So when his mother suggests traveling across the country to the Jersey Shore for the summer, his fears escalate.

But Jack is about to experience the magic and mystery of Black Jack Jetty. Join Jack and the treasure-hunting cousins as he discovers the healing powers of family. Learn how the Atlantic shore, with its crashing waves, ragged rocks, and sandy beaches, helps Jack to cope with his father's death and to celebrate life.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781433807848
Publisher:	American Psychological Association
Publication date:	04/28/2010
Pages:	64
Product dimensions:	5.70(w) x 8.60(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	8 - 13 Years

About the Author

Born, educated, and living in Philadelphia, Michael A. Carestio has spent much of his career in advertising as a Creative Director. His first entry into children's literature reflects the loss of his own father at a young age. The story takes place on the South Jersey Shore, where his family gathers in summer.

Editorial Reviews

Gr 4–6—In this timely novel, Carestio tells the story of Jack, whose soldier father died in Afghanistan. The 10-year-old is not ready to let go of his grief as he and his mother travel from Colorado to the New Jersey shore to spend the summer with his father's relatives, including a houseful of noisy cousins. Jack listens with a mixture of sadness and wonder as the adults talk about his father when he was a young man down at the shore. Jack's mother always seems to anticipate his mood and is there for him whether he wants to talk, or just be alone with sadness. The boy's anger, guilt, and anxiety are all natural expressions of grief and realistic elements in the story. The plot also revolves around an unsolved mystery at the family home, and Jack's unique personality makes him the perfect candidate to solve it. When the story ends, Carestio speaks directly to children who have experienced the death of a parent, writing realistically about what to expect. While this book will not take the place of a loving adult, or therapist, it can be one way to help children talk about their feelings.—Wendy Smith-D'Arezzo, Loyola College, Baltimore, MD

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