Living with Jackie Chan by Jo Knowles

Knowles, J. (2013). Jumping Off Swings: Vol. 2. Living with Jackie Chan. New York, NY: Candlewick.

Summary: Josh is spending his senior year of high school with his Uncle Larry, a man who bases his life off the principles of karate. Josh needs this distraction as he is dealing with his own internal turmoil, leaving his hometown with his own secret. He makes friends, teaches karate and even develops a crush trying to suppress his past. Will it come back to haunt him?

Review: An interesting read of internal conflict. Made me very curious about the first part of this series.

Diversity: Upstairs neighbors in this book are gay parents.

Suggestions for Teachers: Use this in a coming-of-age unit or for lit circles.

Reading Level:

1. Quantitative: Lexile 530, ATOS Book Level 9.67-12.01, Flesh-Kincaid 8.32-12.12, 8.41-10.81 RMM
2. Qualitative: This text is slightly complex. It is organized chronologically and there are a few flashbacks. Vocabulary is contemporary and familiar. Those who have read the first book in the series will have a stronger understanding of the story.

Content Areas: English

Common Core State Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.2
Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.3
Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme.

Relevant links: Teaching Books, Jo Knowles

Subjects/Themes: family, acceptance, teen pregnancy

Awards: N/A

Series Information: N/A