Review: Hey Jack! The Worst Sleepover

Today's review is by: Mom

click here to buy 

Of my four kids, only one has always had an innate love of books and reading. The rest of them are reluctant readers- meaning they've never been immediately drawn to storytime, books, reading. (That has been changing since they've discovered Usborne and Kane/Miller, but I'll save that for another time.)

Because we're a homeschooling family, we read together quite a bit. I hate to admit it, but many times, we suffer through it. We all start out excited about a book, then, a few chapters in, realize it is taking us forever to finish, and somewhere along the way I pretty much lose them completely. By then, as much as I love the story, I realize I'm not loving reading it aloud. But we do it, because, gosh darn it, we are going to be that kind of a family! :) Reading aloud is important to us, as is reading together. It's just a shame that, at times, it can feel like such a chore.

Which is exactly why I felt it was so important that I share this story with you.

I received a copy of Hey Jack! in my consultant kit. The Worst Sleepover is one of many in a series, and I wanted to learn more about the product, so I decided I should read it. I asked the kids if they'd like me to read this new chapter book to them. They said yes.
I read the first chapter.
They asked me to keep going.
I read the next chapter.
They asked me to keep going.

And on it went, until we had finished the entire book in one sitting.

Is this a miracle I just witnessed? Seriously? We read an entire chapter book with EVERY child completely engaged, leaning over my shoulders, excited to hear the story from start to finish?!
The plot is fairly simple. Jack goes to his friend's house for a sleepover, and very quickly, they end up in a disagreement that makes the fun night together not fun at all.
My kids loved it, and so did I.

Wow. As a mom, as a homeschooler, as a licensed teacher, THIS is exactly what I want for my kids. I want them to love books as much as I loved books when I was a child, and that is just what this Hey Jack! title accomplished.

No doubt about it, I plan to buy the rest of the series soon. Whether you've got a reluctant reader, or a child who reads everything (s)he can get hands on, I highly recommend giving the Hey Jack! series a try for family reading as well as for newly independent readers.

This mama gives Hey Jack! The Worst Sleepover two thumbs way, way, up. 

Click here to buy the Hey Jack! series through this link. Retail price $39.99