From the Newbery MedalÐwinning author of Dead End in Norvelt, eight more hysterical semi-autobiographical Jack Henry stories about a sixth graderÕs trials and tribulations

JackÕs life is a crazy roller-coaster ride. At his fifth school in six years, he has a crackpot teacher who wonÕt give him a break about his lousy handwriting and a secret crush who wants to be a policewoman. At home, he has a pesky little brother with a knack for getting hurt whenever JackÕs supposed to be looking after him, a terror for an older sister, all sorts of weird neighbors, and, last but not least, ferocious alligators in the canal behind his house.

Writing in his diary about his good days and bad days is one way Jack survives his up-and-down year. But heÕs also a kid who knows that life can go any which way at any given moment.