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English Awards

		MR. CHRISTIE'S BOOK AWARD 2003 (CHRISTIE BROWN & CO.) FOR THE BEST ENGLISH BOOK (AGES 8 TO 11) THE SEVERAL LIVES OF ORPHAN JACK SARAH ELLIS ILLUSTRATIONS: BRUNO ST-AUBIN TORONTO: GROUNDWOOD BOOKS, 2003. 84 P. ISBN 0888995296 AGES 7 TO 10
The Several Lives of Orphan Jack Source

Jack lives at the Opportunities School for Orphans and Foundlings. He is known as Otherjack to differentiate him from another orphan with the same name. Jack loves books and words. Shortly after his 12th birthday, he learns that he is to be apprenticed to a bookkeeper. Jack is overjoyed; he will be taking care of books! Unfortunately, he discovers that "bookkeeping" means adding numbers. Jack is miserable. Going back to school is unthinkable, so he does the only thing he can think of: he runs away.

Travelling to the market town of Aberlog, the clever and resourceful Jack becomes an ideas peddler. He sells whims, opinions, plans, impressions and notions. He is very successful, and now must decide whether to settle down in Aberlog or continue life on the road.

With wit and humour, multiple-award-winning author Sarah Ellis presents a beautiful, historical tale. The story features an endearing and resourceful character who is determined to make his own way in the world. Bruno St-Aubin's black-and-white drawings outline the story and match Ellis's tone.

-AC