Jacky Ha-Ha
#1 of 3 in Jacky Ha-Ha Series
illustrations by
on Goodreads (3,258)
What’s inside...
In this #1 New York Times bestselling novel, follow the story of Jacky Ha-Ha, a 12-year-old class clown who uses humor to cope with her life's challenges. Despite her mom serving in a dangerous war and her dad rarely being home, Jacky keeps everyone laughing. However, she struggles with her own worries and makes a promise to keep her family together, even if it means sacrificing her own happiness. Will Jacky be able to give up being the funny girl to fulfill her promise?
Discussion points
How do you think Jacky feels when she makes people laugh? Have you ever felt the same way?
Jacky faces several challenges in the story. Can you name one and discuss how she handles it?
What do you think makes a good friend? How do Jacky’s friends support her in the book?
Why do you think Jacky uses humor so much in her life? Do you think it helps her?
If you could give Jacky one piece of advice, what would it be?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings about the characters and their actions, fostering emotional intelligence.
Use examples from the book to discuss the consequences of actions, helping your child understand cause and effect.
Discuss the importance of friendship and support, relating it to your child's personal experiences to make it more relatable.
Prompt your child to think about how humor can be used positively and negatively, enhancing their critical thinking skills.
Ask open-ended questions that require more than a yes or no answer to encourage deeper reflection and conversation.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Overcoming Challenges
Explanation: The protagonist, Jacky, faces a stuttering problem and uses humor as a coping mechanism. Despite her challenges, she learns to perform in a school play and overcome her fears.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of perseverance and resilience. They can apply this by trying again in the face of difficulties, whether in school projects, sports, or personal relationships.
Example Lesson: Importance of Honesty
Explanation: Jacky learns the value of honesty after a series of pranks and jokes backfire. She realizes the impact of her actions on her friends and family.
Real-World Application: Children can understand how honesty fosters trust and healthier relationships. They can practice being truthful in their daily interactions and learn to accept the consequences of their actions.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: As Jacky navigates her family dynamics and friendships, she learns to understand and empathize with others' feelings and situations.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children appreciate the diversity of emotions and backgrounds in their peers. It encourages them to be considerate and supportive in their social circles.
Example Lesson: Value of Hard Work
Explanation: Jacky commits to improving her acting skills for the school play, demonstrating the benefits of hard work and dedication.
Real-World Application: Children can be inspired to dedicate themselves to their studies, hobbies, or sports. They can learn that effort can lead to improvement and success in various aspects of life.
Example Lesson: Dealing with Bullying
Explanation: Jacky faces bullies at school but learns how to deal with them positively, using humor and intelligence rather than physical or verbal retaliation.
Real-World Application: This lesson is crucial for children dealing with bullying. They can learn alternative methods to address bullying and build their confidence in handling difficult social situations.