Jackdaw and the Randoms by Stuart David
Hot Key Books, 2015. ISBN 9781471404696
(Age: 14+) Recommended. Blurb: 'Most people call me The Jackdaw.
If they don't, I tell them they probably should.
Meet fifteen-year-old Jack 'Jackdaw' Dawson, a young man with a
serious plan. Daydreaming in class one day, Jack is hit over the
head with an idea so blinding, so extraordinarily visionary and so
downright fantastic he knows it can't fail. It's his ticket out of
school - an app that will stop you from getting into trouble for
daydreaming in class (ahem . . . ) Fame, glory and tons of money
seem just around the corner - but then Jack runs into a few
problems.
First of all, his warring parents are determined to push him into
a career of their choosing (mum says office, dad says factory)
without much thought as to what Jack might actually want. Secondly
(and quite importantly) Jack doesn't know the first thing about
making apps, and the only person who does wants nothing at all to
do with Jack.
That is, unless he does her a favor... which leads to someone else
needing another favor, then another and another - until Jack finds
himself sat upon a very precarious pile of promises to a whole
bunch of random people. Can the Jackdaw complete his scheme, or is
this too much for even his superior brain to cope with?'
Publisher.
Review
'40% Scheming, 30% Hilarious, 20% Weirdos, 10% Genius.' A statement
that Jackdaw And The Randoms truly lives up to. There not
once was a dull moment throughout the story of Jackdaw and his
schemes, from million dollar ideas to Elsie Green and her weird ways
there is always something going on.
I went into this book a little unsure of how I felt as this
particular genre was not frequently featured on my shelf, however I
am so thankful to have received this book and had the time to read
it. The characters were quirky, original and true to themselves
throughout the whole story. The storyline was unlike any other I've
ever read before but it was indeed enjoyable. The cover art is very
amusing and oddly confusing if you have not read it yet.
Rating
Writing Style: 4
Characters: 3.5
Storyline: 4.5
I would recommend this book to 14+ readers who are looking for
something unusual and humorous.
Jemma Hadley (Student)