Jacob Two-Two on the High Seas

by Cary Fagan, Dusan Petricic (Illustrator)

Overview

He’s back! The late Mordecai Richler had planned more adventures for his small hero and now, with the full support of the Richler family, award-winning author Cary Fagan carries on the tradition in a hilarious story for a whole new generation of Jacob fans.

After Jacob Two-Two’s father writes a very important novel, the family makes plans to move to Canada.

They board the SS Spring-a-Leak for a journey across the ocean. Jacob Two-Two makes some new acquaintances — the unbelievably handsome Captain Sparkletooth, the acrobatic Bubov Brothers, the failed toy inventor Mr. Peabody, and the giant but gentle Morgenbesser. Most important, he makes friends with young Cindy Snootcastle, who keeps a secret treasure in her pocket.

But something is wrong on the SS Spring-a-Leak. A series of clues — a black eye patch; a parrot who squawks “Apple sauce in your underpants!”; and a sailing ship flying the Jolly Roger — can only mean trouble. Will the intrepid Shapiro and the fearless O’Toole really be left on a desert island? Will Jacob Two-Two be made to walk the plank?

Jacob Two-Two on the High Seas is a treat for those who know Jacob and for those who are about to meet one of the most endearing characters in children’s literature.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781770490710
Publisher:	Tundra
Publication date:	09/17/2009
Series:	Jacob Two-Two , #4
Sold by:	Random House
Format:	eBook
Pages:	112
File size:	3 MB
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Mordecai Richler was the author of ten successful novels, numerous screenplays, and several books of nonfiction, his novel Barney’s Version was an acclaimed bestseller and the winner of The Giller Prize, the Stephen Leacock Award for Humour, the QSpell Award, and the Commonwealth Writers Prize for Best Novel in Canada and the Caribbean. Richler also received two Governor General’s Literary Awards and was short-listed twice for the Booker Prize. Mordecai Richler died in Montreal, in 2001.

Cary Fagan has received the Toronto Book Award, the Jewish Book Committee Prize for Fiction, and the Mr. Christie Silver Medal. His recent picture books include Ten Old Men and a Mouse, My New Shirt, and Thing-Thing. His children’s novels include The Fortress of Kaspar Snit (Silver Birch Honor Book), Directed by Kaspar Snit (Silver Birch nominee), and Ten Lessons for Kaspar Snit. Cary Fagan lives in Toronto.

Dusan Petricic is the award-winning illustrator of more than twenty books for children including My New Shirt by Cary Fagan. A former professor of illustration and book design, his work appears in The New York Times, Scientific American, The Wall Street Journal, and The Toronto Star. He lives in Toronto.

Editorial Reviews

Fagan (the Kaspar Snit novels) continues the late Mordecai Richler’s three-book series starring an earnest boy whose name reflects the facts that he is “two plus two plus two years old” and that “nobody in his family ever heard him the first time, so he had to say everything two times.” Set after Richler’s first installment, Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang, this novel opens as the clan, relocating from England to Canada, ships out on the SS Spring-a-Leak, skippered by an amusingly vain and clueless captain. Passengers include acrobat brothers, an inept ventriloquist, a luckless toy inventor and Jacob’s spunky new pal, Cindy. Droll interaction among the characters spins into slapstick when bumbling pirates board the ship and shanghai Jacob and Cindy as pirates-in-training. Fagan crafts a zany tale that kids (in the spirit of Jacob’s doublespeak) will want to read at least twice. Petricic, whose line art complements the story’s humor, also illustrates new reissues of Richler’s previous Jacob Two-Two titles. Ages 8–11. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly

Gr 3–4—Jacob Two-Two and his family are moving to Canada from England and have embarked on the SS Spring-a-Leak, along with other passengers who are various types of actors or entertainers. Unfortunately, Jacob finds that things are not all shipshape onboard as he and Cindy, a girl traveling with her mother, soon uncover some devious plans that result in them being captured by pirates. They were after what they thought was gold on the ship, but it turns out to be Cindy's pet mouse named Treasure. The two children end up on an island and are rescued by other passengers who put on a performance. The writing and plot are uninspired and even young readers will see how silly it is that the pirates decide to become actors. Part of a series that was originally written by Mordecai Richler and that has also been made into a cartoon series, this book has high adventure and black-and-white line drawings interspersed throughout. It might appeal to reluctant readers and those already familiar with the series.—Clare A. Dombrowski, Amesbury Public Library, MA

School Library Journal

Fagan resurrects the late Mordecai Richler's most famous character for a new adventure released to accompany freshly illustrated editions of the three original episodes. Still "two plus two plus two years old," the chronic worrier sets out with his family from England to Canada aboard the SS Spring-a-Leak but soon finds himself kidnapped by a crew of not-exactly-fearsome singing pirates. Well supplied with comical sketches from Petricic, plus a supporting cast that includes a parrot given to screeching "Kiss my feathered butt!" and like disrespectful sentiments, a hulking but kindly ex-wrestler who once defeated the Hooded Fang himself and a narcissistic Captain who turns out to be the Canadian Prime Minister's long-lost brother, the episode fits into the series nicely in both breathless pacing and Roald Dahl-style zaniness. Closing with a big birthday party and Jacob's expressed wish for a pet, it also fits nicely between the events of Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang (1975) and Jacob Two-Two and the Dinosaur (1987). Not too-too bad. (Fiction. 7-9)

Kirkus Reviews

… Fagan crafts a zany tale that kids (in the spirit of Jacob’s doublespeak) will want to read at least twice. Petricic, whose line art complements the story’s humor…” 
— Publishers Weekly

“A delightful, imaginative tale of the incorrigible Jacob Two-Two…. Cary Fagan has woven a wonderfully silly, child-like adventure of ridiculous characters…. This story is a great yarn and hooks the childlike imagination in every reader regardless of age. An excellent use of a character…. Cary Fagan’s adventure story will be a hit with children and adults alike, an excellent chapter book for late primary and junior grades….” 
— Excellent, Resource Links

From the Publisher