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"Find Out What Jack Knows (Part I)"
Knowing Jack is a book written by the Lulu Book Review's roving reviewer, Julie Elizabeth Powell. I first encountered Julie on the Lulu forum boards and was struck by her enthusiasm and encouragement for other authors work. In addition to this her dedication to writing is evident, and I felt like I had encountered a kindred spirit from across the pond. I was very happy to have been instrumental in bringing Julie onboard at the Lulu Book Review, because she brings an added dimension to the team, allowing us to provide reviews of Lulu authors work who have not... More > necessarily requested a review. My only delay in reviewing Julie's work has been my own preoccupation with completing the sequel to Misfit McCabe, something I know that Julie understands.

We've all had those feelings. You know the ones I'm talking about. Where you feel like something bad is going to happen, but don't know what or when. It's just that niggling feeling at the back of your mind that can color how you approach your day. Twelve year old Jack Kane understands exactly what I'm talking about. All of his life, Jack has been plagued by knowing things or prescience. He doesn't always get specifics, just a general feeling about things, or he'll just know something without any idea as to why he does. Things like the time Mrs. Hodges couldn't find her keys in her purse, and Jack told her she'd find them on the front doorstep. Or when Mr. Dixon missed the bus, Jack told him not to worry, that his daughter would be there soon and could give him a ride. Sometimes things come in dream fashion, that he doesn't always understand. Like the dream that he'd been having for weeks about a hefty figure wielding an axe wearing a big flapping coat. He just knew that the dream gave him a bad feeling.

As Knowing Jack opens, Jack and his folks are getting ready to take a vacation trip to a cabin in the Lake District. Well, vacation for some. Jack's dad, Frank, has to do a little work, taking some pictures and then doing a write up. The closer it gets to time to leave, the worse Jack feels. His stomach is churning and his head feels like it's in a vise and someone is turning the screw. He tried to get the family to back out of the trip, but to no avail. In addition to the great feeling of dread that something bad was going to happen, Jack was not looking forward to the trip for another reason. Auntie June, Uncle Alan, and their ten year old daughter, Rosie would be there as well. Rosie was spoiled, the pampered, pink princess, and she always did as much as she could to give Jack grief.

On the way to the cabin, they had to stop to pick up the keys to the cabin at the Post Office. While they were stopped, a couple in a dirty white van came into the Post Office as well, and Jack's feelings went into overdrive, complete with heart palpitations and sweat trickling down his back. As his father put the car into reverse to back out of the parking space and continue the trip to the cabin, Jack screamed for him to stop. While his parents were still recovering from Jack's outburst, the van came roaring past and barely missed hitting the back end of Jack's car. < Less

Knowing Jack is an exciting adventure book for preteens but also entertaining for adults. Twelve-year-old Jack has a sixth sense about the dangers surrounding a family vacation to spend Christmas in a cabin in the woods. On top of that, he is unhappy to spend time with his complaining cousin Rosie. When Jack's father is injured, the two children find themselves in a precarious situation. The action-packed scenes move at a fast pace and the conflict runs high as Jack and Rosie fend for themselves, ultimately fighting for their lives. Because of Powell's well-told, vivid, engaging scenes, I felt the emotions of the characters and was immersed in the action. Thematically, this is a story of survival, bravery, and determination as Jack risks his life for others. Sandra Yuen MacKay, author

"Knowing Jack" This is an entertaining and well plotted story that will keep the reader enthralled from the first page to the last. I especially liked the relationship that developed between the two children. I couldn't put it down until I had finished it.
Although it will be an excellent book for teens and pre-teens, I think that most adults will enjoy it as well.