Review: Jesper Jinx's Best Friend by Marko Kitti

JESPER JINX'S BEST FRIEND

Jesper Jinx, Book Six

Middle Grade Humor

ages 8+

150 pages

Jesper Jinx is eleven, and probably the unluckiest person in all of Puffington Hill. Everything he touches seems to end up in sweet disaster. Hence his nickname 'Jinx'.

Every great hero needs a sidekick who’s ready to laugh at their silly antics. And Oliver has been just that for Jesper on countless pranks since the day they were born. But now Jesper’s sister Melinda has set her sights on Oliver and even worse, he doesn’t seem to mind.

Add to this horrible dilemma the fact that there is a heatwave in Puffington Hill. The air is now so hot that birds are falling from the trees and grandpas and grandmas are forced to wear bikinis. It all adds up to sweet disaster for Jesper.

How far is he willing to go to save his friendship with Oliver?

MY TIDBITS

The Silly Old Scribbler devulges another glimpse into the hilarious life of Jesper Jinx, while sliding through topics which hit middle graders face on.

Jesper Jinx's best friend--one he's known since the first seconds of life--has turned traitor. Or so it seems to Jesper. Now, he has to decide if there's a way to deal with his best friend's decision or lose his co-heart in crime forever.

In this sixth book in the Jesper Jinx series, the Silly Old Scribbler (aka Marko Kitti) takes a deep dive into one of the most treasured things middle school boys have--their best friend--and one of a boy's worst enemies--their sisters. Oliver and Jesper have been through thick and thin. So the thought of 'treason' hits right in the gut despite the humor buffer packed around it. Oliver and Jesper's history finally comes to light. Of course, it's not a boring explanation but delivered in perfect Jesper style.

The author delivers the adventures in a very honest and straight forward style. Despite being a prankster, Jesper is a kid with real feelings. This mixture of side splitting humor and every day middle grade problems, makes these books a pure treat to read. But it's not only this mix which lures in. The books are short, only 150 or so pages, which guarantees not to chase away the more reluctant readers. All sorts of goodies are packed within the story--agreements to sign, illustrations, diagrams. Readers not only read the tales but participate as if the narrator was really sitting right in front of them.

Summed up, this is a great continuation of a wonderful series. And I can't wait to see what happens to Jesper Jinx next.

And here he is. . .

Marko Kitti is a Finnish writer.

Find more about Marko's children's book series, Jesper Jinx, at www.jesperjinx.co.uk

Marko's Finnish publications include two collections of short stories, two novels for adult readers and one novel for young adult readers. His Finnish novel Meidän maailma (Our World) was shortlisted for the Runeberg Prize in 2009.

Review: Jesper Jinx and the Scrumptious Snacks by Marko Kitti

JESPER JINX and the SCRUMPTIOUS SNACKS

by Marko Kitti

Jesper Jinx Series, Book 5

Middle Grade Humor

ages 8+

152 pages

Jesper Jinx is eleven, and probably the unluckiest person in all of Puffington Hill. Everything he touches seems to end up in sweet disaster. Hence his nickname 'Jinx'.

In this fifth book of Jesper Jinx's wonderfully wicked adventures chaos unfolds when Jake the school bully meets an ancient chocolate bar. Soon, things get even weirder when Jesper's mum can't bake her cherry pie because her precious cherry tree's gone missing. And then, to top it all off, Snowy the Cat
decides to go on a hunger strike.

Can Jesper save the day with his best Boredom Breaker ever or will a diabolical lunch thief get to him first?

MY TIDBITS

I'll admit it. I'm a Jesper Jinx fan and have devoured every book in this series. This book, number five, keeps up the wonderful Jesper Jinx pace and left me wondering when book six will appear.

This book is all about snacks. . .or food which might be considered to fall into that category. With Jesper, it's never clear what turns the story will take. But one thing is sure, whenever Jesper is involved, the results will be unexpected, slightly ridiculous and leave a smile on the reader's face.

As always, the reader is drawn into the story through direct statements from the narrator. In this book, there's even a secrecy contract. Kids take a complete and direct dive into Jesper's world, one which is actually fairly normal and every day if it weren't for strange happenings which keep popping up. The entire thing is accompanied (as in the other books) with simple and very fitting illustrations, which draw a smile all on their own.

Packed with all sorts of zaniness, bits of lopsided logic and moments of sheer silliness, this is a book even reluctant readers will enjoy. Especially boys will sympathize with Jesper and the difficulties he faces with his older sister, or the 'mishaps' he runs into which really aren't necessarily his fault. And as a super bonus, there are even a couple snack recipes at the end.

Summed up, this is a book I highly recommend to especially boys ages 8+ who enjoy goofier reads.



This one is also going on my favorite read list 2016!

Jesper JInx and the Turkish Pepper by Marko Kitti

JESPER JINX 

and the 

TURKISH PEPPER

Jesper Jinx Book 3

by Marko Kitti

Humor 

Ages 8+

Jesper Jinx is eleven, and probably the unluckiest person in all of Puffington Hill. Everything he touches seems to end up in sweet disaster. Hence his nickname ‘Jinx’.

In the third book of his wickedly funny adventures, Jesper goes camping and develops a taste for Turkish Pepper. (WARNING: Turkish Pepper might not be what you think it is!) You’ll also get to know Jesper’s 99-year-old neighbour. Oh, and a fox called Frank. Finally, there’s a huge concert coming to town starring local rapper Horrid Porridge.

Can Jesper rise to the occasion with another Boredom Breaker or will the Turkish Peppers get to him?

MY TIDBITS

Jesper is back again, and boredom still is a word he's never going to understand. Like the other two books in this series, Jesper Jinx and the Turkish Pepper is packed full of humor. Especially boys ages 8 and up will love following Jesper as he again gets himself into quite the pickle...or, in this case, pepper.  I really enjoy the lighter side of life these books take, while still presenting a (fairly) normal boy and how he faces (fairly) normal, everyday problems in his own, original ways. Kids will have no trouble relating to Jesper and sympathizing with him as he tries to work his way through the craziest situations...although I doubt they'll try his techniques themselves. 

I can only recommend this series and believe that especially reluctant readers will enjoy accompanying Jesper on his hilarious adventures.

And here he is. . .

Marko Kitti!!!

Marko Kitti is an internationally published children's book author and illustrator. He is best known for his humorous children's book series, Jesper Jinx.

Jesper Jinx, who first appeared in 2014, is beloved by children all over the world, since books with his wonderfully wicked adventures are already published in several languages.

Marko has written novels and short stories too, and his Finnish novel Meidän maailma (Our World) was shortlisted for the Runeberg Prize in 2009. Born and raised in Finland, he now lives in Eastbourne, England, with his wife and stepdaughter and their two mischievous cats.

You can follow Marko on. . .

 Twitter, http://www.twitter.com/MarkoKitti 

Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/JesperJinx 

or visit The Official Jesper Jinx Website at http://www.jesperjinx.co.uk