{"product_id":"jackson-jones-and-the-puddle-of-thorns-isbn-9780440410669","title":"Jackson Jones and the Puddle of Thorns","description":"Nothing but a big mess of trouble and weeds..\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThat'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?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhen 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....\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWinner of the first annual Marguerite de Angeli Prize.“Quattlebaum has created a winning cast of characters—both children and adults—and a savvy young hero who readers will like—and respect.”—\u003ci\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/i\u003e, Starred\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Smart, snappy dialogue and characters both funny and admirable.”—\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Quattlebaum’s first person narrative hooks readers at the start with his humorous street-smart style.”—\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“A promising first novel, this is fresh, sweet, and vigorous—a real daisy.”—\u003ci\u003eThe Bulletin\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA \u003ci\u003eBulletin\u003c\/i\u003e Blue Ribbon Book\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA \u003ci\u003eParenting\u003c\/i\u003e Best Children’s Book\"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, \u003ci\u003eJackson Jones and the Puddle of Thorns\u003c\/i\u003e 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. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"The hamster in \u003ci\u003eJazz, Pizzazz, and the Silver Threads\u003c\/i\u003e is based on several real-life, mischievous hamsters. The ideas for Jenny's magic `mess-ups' in\u003ci\u003e Jazz, Pizzazz \u003c\/i\u003eand its forthcoming sequel, \u003ci\u003eThe Magic Squad and the Dog of Great Potential,\u003c\/i\u003e come from my husband's experiences as a kid magician. And the poems for \u003ci\u003eA Year on My Street\u003c\/i\u003e are all based on the people and happenings in my neighborhood, from feeding pigeons to listening to the sax man.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"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.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMary Quattlebaum's first book, \u003ci\u003eJackson Jones and the Puddle of Thorns, \u003c\/i\u003eis the winner of the first annual Marguerite de Angeli Prize for middle-grade fiction. She has also written \u003ci\u003eJazz, Pizzazz, and the Silver Threads; \u003c\/i\u003eits companion, \u003ci\u003eThe Magic Squad and the Dog of Great Potential,\u003c\/i\u003e to be published in March 1997; and \u003ci\u003eA Year on My Street,\u003c\/i\u003e 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 \u003ci\u003eChildren's Digest\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eLadybug,\u003c\/i\u003e as well as several literary magazines. She lives in Washington, DC with her husband.\u003cb\u003eAn Excerpt from \u003ci\u003eJackson Jones and the Puddle of \u003cbr\u003e        Thorns\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e        April 10.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e        Jackson-Jones-Born-into-This-World Day. I was moving from nine to almost \u003cbr\u003e        grown. Double digits. The Big 1-0. The Man (that's me) is TEN.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e        My best friend, Reuben, was impressed. He's nine and counting. One hundred \u003cbr\u003e        and thirty-two days till he's ten.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e        \"What ya going to get for your birthday?\" he asked. He sketched the star \u003cbr\u003e        on Captain Nemo's helmet. I was sprawled on his bed.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e        I shrugged, acting cool. Like saying, \"Oh, is it my \u003ci\u003ebirth\u003c\/i\u003eday?\" \u003cbr\u003e        Acting like I didn't know Mama was rattling my favorite Red Velvet cake \u003cbr\u003e        into the oven. HOPEFULLY wrapping a new basketball....\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e        \"There's one more,\" said Mama.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e        Mama held the envelope like a little white bird. Stuffed with money, I \u003cbr\u003e        couldn't help thinking.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e        \"Ten years ago,\" said Mama, stroking the bird-money, \"God gave \u003ci\u003eme\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cbr\u003e        a present: my son, Jackson. Each year I grow prouder of him.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e        I was cool, just taking it in. Thinking about slam-dunking my new b-ball.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e        \"I always wanted Jackson to have the kind of childhood I had,\" Mama continued.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e        Wait a minute. Mama had no basketball in that country childhood. Her best \u003cbr\u003e        friend lived seven miles away.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e        Mama handed me the envelope. Her eyes were all misty-happy.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e        \"Jackson, I hope you enjoy this gift as much as I enjoyed mine as a girl.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e        Forget slooowwly. I snatched the envelope. Clawed the flap.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e        I drew out the card. Opened it.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e        I couldn't believe what I saw.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Yearling","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46300120940773,"sku":"NP9780440410669","price":6.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780440410669.jpg?v=1767730310","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/es\/products\/jackson-jones-and-the-puddle-of-thorns-isbn-9780440410669","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}