This was a humorous book in the style of Diary of a Wimpy Kid." This series, is a bit more crude than Wimpy Kid, but still funny. Jack gets himself into a lot of situations that the average middle schooler can relate to even though Jack gets dragged in a bit too far for reality. The feelings are very real even though the situations are blown out of proportion. I think that disproportion would appeal to a young adult and they would give it a much higher rating than I did." ( )

This was a great book. It was an easy read but made me laugh out loud! ( )

Poor Jack. He knows he's smart, but everything says he's not. In fact, he's only average. So he aims for the one thing that an average boy, with average intelligence, is not supposed to do--aim high. Through a summer of mishaps, Jack's Black Book is split into three sections that can easily carry their own weight. From making a monetary deal with Bou-Bou, the family dog, that ends in a tragic accident to joining his brother in a hilarious public scam and finding adventure with the off-beat Pagoda family, Jack tries to find his own place in a life filled with low expecations.

Gantos strikes it hot with his dry, sarcastic humor that a young adult would love. What makes this adventure even more endearing is that Jack's tale is the partially true story of Gantos, himself. ( )