The Key to Finding Jack

By Author / Illustrator

Ewa Jozefkowicz

Genre

Mystery & Detective

Age range(s)

Publisher

Head of Zeus

ISBN

9781789543568

Format

Hardback

Published

03-09-2020

Synopsis

Flick's big brother, Jack, goes missing in Peru and she is desperate to find him. But can she solve the greatest mystery of all: who Jack really is? A heartwarming, third novel from Waterstones Prize shortlisted author, Ewa Jozefkowicz, about the unbreakable bond between siblings.

Twelve-year-old Flick adores Jack and loves solving puzzles with him. But Jack is soon to flee the family nest and Flick worries she'll lose her partner in crime. During his gap year in Peru, tragedy strikes when an earthquake devastates the region and no one knows what has happened to Jack. Flick and her family are thrown into the horrible unknown.

She finds a key on a fine gold chain and a note with the initials SF in his room, and clings to the hope that SF (whoever that is) might hold the clue to finding her brother. When she sets out to uncover the identity of its owner, she meets new friends, rekindles a special relationship and discovers a whole new side to Jack. Intriguing clues from a legend about Inca gold, to a key with magical powers help her along the way.

Featuring a story within a story and a mystery to solve, The Key to Finding Jack, is about sacrifice and courage, the riches of family, friendship and the power of living life to the full.

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Reviews

I must admit this is a case where you shouldn't judge a book by it cover, it doesn't conform to the shiny, intricately illustrated modern books, which adorn the shelves of bookstores ad libraries, with one aim, to grab the reader's interest - but it does stand out.

The Key to Finding Jack is not a book to underestimate, it is an entrancing mystery story, brimming with twists and turns and building to a surprising ending. This book is perfect for Agatha Christie fans who want to be lead detective in cracking the case.

Follow in Flick's shoes as her world is turned upside down when her practical joke-playing brother, who is travelling through South America, disappears when an earthquake strikes, causing mass devastation. With no word from him, power lines down and no leads, it's up to Flick to solve the case.

The Key to Finding Jack is a story of friendship, love, sacrifice, family and hope fused with a natural disaster. Flick soon realises this is more a mystery about her brother, as she uncovers hidden layers and clues, but will these help her find Jack and crack the case?

As a teacher in KS2, I felt this book would make a great addition to enable children to gain cultural capital, to learn through the journey of a child the wonders of the world, and how natural disasters can bring communities together.

192 pages / Ages 9+ / Reviewed by Kelly Buxton, teacher