  | Decomposition of Jack Author: Tubb, Kristin O'Donnell | |
| Price: $21.88 | ||
Summary:
Middle school is always hard, but when you're known as the Roadkill Kid, well, it's even harder. Ever since Jack's mom and dad got divorced, Jack assists his mom in collecting roadkill. One day while tending to the roadkill garden, Jack believes he spots a cougar in the wilderness beyond his backyard. When he chooses to make finding the animal a part of a science project, finding the cougar may become a mystery he can't solve.
| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: MG Reading Level: 4.10 Points: 5.0 Quiz: 516470 |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (08/01/22)
School Library Journal (10/01/22)
Full Text Reviews:
School Library Journal - 10/01/2022 Gr 5 Up—Tubbs's latest middle grade novel (following A Dog Like Daisy and Zeus, Dog of Chaos) departs from dog narration and introduces readers to seventh grader Jack Acosta, also known as "Jack Splat." Jack is learning to live with his parents' divorce while helping his mom with her career studying roadkill and its decomposition (hence the nicknames, which also include "Roadkill Kid"). He is also providing feedback on his best friend's comics and figuring out how to get the attention of his crush, "Algebra Green Eyes," who happens to head the school's conservation club. Although he's a scientist, Jack finds himself in danger of failing earth science; but he may be able to turn things around if he can prove that cougars are not extinct, because there's one living in the woods behind his house. Heavy themes of divorce and extinction loom large, but Tubb offers humorous moments and a caring mother-son relationship to balance them. Animal lovers and budding conservationists will be especially drawn to the ongoing mystery of whether cougars still live in Tennessee. An author's note provides further information about roadkill collectors and cougars. VERDICT An engaging coming-of-age tale for the environmentally minded tween.—Carrie Voliva - Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
