Jackson Jones and the Puddle of Thorns

by QUATTLEBAUM, MARY

• ISBN13: 9780440410669
• ISBN10: 0440410665
• Edition: Revised
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1995-04-01
• Publisher: Yearling

Summary

Nothing but a big mess of trouble and weeds.. That's what Jackson Jones thinks of the garden plot his mother gives him for his tenth birthday. What happened to the basketball he's hoped and prayed for all year? When Jackson comes up with a moneymaking scheme for the garden, it doesn't seem so bad after all. He even cuts his friends in on the action. But before long, Jackson finds out that friends and business don't always mix. When the neighborhood bully calls him "Bouquet Jones," Jackson is ready to give up. Maybe gardens don't belong in cities after all.... Winner of the first annual Marguerite de Angeli Prize.

Author Biography

"I grew up with three brothers and three sisters and many, many pets and I often draw on childhood adventures (and misadventures) in creating stories and poems. My current everyday life also provides lots of inspiration for my writing. For example, my first book, <i>Jackson Jones and the Puddle of Thorns</i> blossomed (pun intended!) from my small plot in a city community garden where, like Jackson, the main character, I seem to grow more weeds than flowers. <br><br><br>"The hamster in <i>Jazz, Pizzazz, and the Silver Threads</i> is based on several real-life, mischievous hamsters. The ideas for Jenny's magic `mess-ups' in<i> Jazz, Pizzazz </i>and its forthcoming sequel, <i>The Magic Squad and the Dog of Great Potential,</i> come from my husband's experiences as a kid magician. And the poems for <i>A Year on My Street</i> are all based on the people and happenings in my neighborhood, from feeding pigeons to listening to the sax man.<br><br><br>"Before becoming a freelance writer, I worked as a research writer/editor for Children's National Medical Center in Washington, DC. These days, in addition to writing children's books, I direct Arts Project Renaissance, a creative writing program for older adults, and teach creative writing workshops to folks of all ages at local schools, libraries, and Georgetown University's continuing education division."<br><br><br>Mary Quattlebaum's first book, <i>Jackson Jones and the Puddle of Thorns, </i>is the winner of the first annual Marguerite de Angeli Prize for middle-grade fiction. She has also written <i>Jazz, Pizzazz, and the Silver Threads; </i>its companion, <i>The Magic Squad and the Dog of Great Potential,</i> to be published in March 1997; and <i>A Year on My Street,</i> a First Choice Chapter Book for younger readers. She received a B.A. from the College of William and Mary and an M.A. from Georgetown University. Recipient of the Novel in Progress/Judy Blume Grant from the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, she has been published in <i>Children's Digest</i> and <i>Ladybug,</i> as well as several literary magazines. She lives in Washington, DC with her husband.

Excerpts

An Excerpt from Jackson Jones and the Puddle of
        Thorns

        April 10.

        Jackson-Jones-Born-into-This-World Day. I was moving from nine to almost
        grown. Double digits. The Big 1-0. The Man (that's me) is TEN.

        My best friend, Reuben, was impressed. He's nine and counting. One hundred
        and thirty-two days till he's ten.

        "What ya going to get for your birthday?" he asked. He sketched the star
        on Captain Nemo's helmet. I was sprawled on his bed.

        I shrugged, acting cool. Like saying, "Oh, is it my birthday?"
        Acting like I didn't know Mama was rattling my favorite Red Velvet cake
        into the oven. HOPEFULLY wrapping a new basketball....

        "There's one more," said Mama.

        Mama held the envelope like a little white bird. Stuffed with money, I
        couldn't help thinking.

        "Ten years ago," said Mama, stroking the bird-money, "God gave me
        a present: my son, Jackson. Each year I grow prouder of him."

        I was cool, just taking it in. Thinking about slam-dunking my new b-ball.

        "I always wanted Jackson to have the kind of childhood I had," Mama continued.

        Wait a minute. Mama had no basketball in that country childhood. Her best
        friend lived seven miles away.

        Mama handed me the envelope. Her eyes were all misty-happy.

        "Jackson, I hope you enjoy this gift as much as I enjoyed mine as a girl."

        Forget slooowwly. I snatched the envelope. Clawed the flap.

        I drew out the card. Opened it.

        I couldn't believe what I saw.

        

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Excerpted from Jackson Jones and the Puddle of Thorns by Mary Quattlebaum
All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.