Bibliography: Meyer, L.A. 2006. IN THE BELLY OF THE BLOODHOUND. New York, NY: Harcourt Children’s Books. ISBN 9780152055578
Plot
Summary:
In
this fourth installment, Jacky finds herself hiding out at her old school in
Boston to evade being captured after the king of England puts a price on her
head seeking her capture, dead or alive.
Jacky eases back into school life easily as she reconnects with old
friends and faces off with old enemies.
A planned school boat excursion does not go as planned, and the girls
find themselves being kidnapped and on a slave ship sailing out to sea. Jacky and the girls put their heads together
and make plans for their escape. Along
the journey, Jacky shares her love of music and stories of her many adventures
she has experienced during her sixteen years.
Hopefully Jacky’s fierce determination, loyalty, and bonds she has
created with friends and foes get her to a safe harbor once again.
Critical
Analysis:
Since
this is the first book in this series I have read, I found myself feeling lost
as to where this book was going. Between
the stories Jacky shared and her performing at various locations for money, I
was wondering where this story was headed.
Finally, almost a quarter way through the book, the storyline became
clear and I was hooked. The history and
time period were brought to life masterfully as the story progressed. The setting was recreated and I could easily
feel the pain of the slave trading industry as I traveled on every word Meyer
used to bring the time period to life.
Young
readers will love the heroine, Jacky, and the themes that run strong through
this adventurous tale. They will
identify with the importance of standing up for what is right. They will enjoy this trip back in time and
gain a better perspective of the hardships of life in the early 1800’s
concerning women and slaves. Serious
issues, mentioned below for educators, should be considered carefully,
discussed, and proceed forward with sensitivity.
Reviews:
·
Midwest Book
Review: “Jacky is ready to fight her captors, but the
Lawson Peabody girls are out of their element – and in need of Jacky to show
them the importance of finding one’s courage!”
Educator’s
Notes/Weakness:
Due
to the adult content and language in this novel that could be concerning, I
would suggest this book to young adult readers who are in high school or older.
Concerning
issues seen in this novel: Hints of sexual
promiscuity/lustful behavior, rape/attempted rape, homosexuality (Higgins),
prostitution, slavery, forced incest (Katy), disrespectful treatment of person
who is mentally retarded, drinking/drunks, and profanity/offensive words or
phrases (“G.D.” said often, as well as the “N” word when referring to slaves).
The
series and books are too long to read as a class. I would read “BLOODY JACK” to introduce
the series at the beginning of the school year.
Discuss the historical figures/events seen in the book, and watch “Pirates
of the Caribbean” movie to wrap of this novel unit. Then, throughout the year, and at the end of
the school year, encourage students to continue reading books in this adventure
series.
Connections:
Age Level: 12 and up
Reading Level: 8.1
Pages: 528
Genre: Historical Fiction / Adventure
·
Read
other books in the Bloody Jack Adventure series (This being the fourth in the
series)
o
“BLOODY
JACK” (#1), “CURSE OF THE BLUE TATTOO” (#2), “UNDER
THE JOLLY ROGER” (#3), “MISSISSIPPI JACK” (#5),
“MY
BONNY LIGHT HORSEMAN” (#6), “RAPTURE OF THE DEEP” (#7), “THE
WAKE OF THE LORELEI LEE” (#8), “THE MARK OF THE GOLDEN DRAGON” (#9),
“VIVA
JACQUELINE!” (#10), and the newest novel in this series due out
September 2013, “BOSTON JACKY” (#11)
·
Historic
themes that can be researched and discuss: Early 1800’s, slavery, slave trading, conflict over slavery in
America, women’s history, American history, Napoleon, mention of Boston Tea
Party
·
September 19 – Talk like
a Pirate Day J
·
Watch
“Pirates
of the Caribbean” movie
o Compare the
main hero from the movie to the female heroine, Jacky.
·
Listen to
Audio book
version of novel:
o Heroine,
Jacky, brought to life by Katherine Kellgren who’s accent helps transport
readers to the 1800’s.
o 2010 Odyssey
Honor Winner
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