Bloody Jack (novel) facts for kids
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| Author | L.A. Meyer |
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| Cover artist | Cliff Nielsen |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | Bloody Jack Adventure series |
| Genre | Young adult, historical novel |
| Publisher | Harcourt Children's Books |
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Publication date
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September 1, 2002 |
| Media type | Print (hardback & paperback), audiobook |
| Pages | 336 |
| ISBN | 0-15-216731-5 |
| OCLC | 48951422 |
| LC Class | PZ7.M9795 Bl 2002 |
| Followed by | Curse of the Blue Tattoo |
Bloody Jack, also known as Bloody Jack: Being An Account of the Curious Adventures of Mary “Jacky” Faber, Ship's Boy, is an exciting historical novel written by L.A. Meyer. This book tells the story of an orphaned girl living in London in the early 1800s. It's the first book in a popular series.
The adventures of Jacky Faber continue in many other books. These include Curse of the Blue Tattoo, Under the Jolly Roger, and In the Belly of the Bloodhound. Other books in the series are Mississippi Jack, My Bonny Light Horseman, and Rapture of the Deep. The series also features The Wake of the Lorelei Lee, The Mark of the Golden Dragon, Viva Jacquelina!, Boston Jacky, and Wild Rover No More.
Contents
What the Story is About
The story begins with eight-year-old Mary Faber. She loses her whole family to a terrible illness. Mary then joins a group of street kids. Their leader is an older boy named Rooster Charlie. Mary looks up to Charlie like a big brother.
One day, after Mary steals some bread, she finds Charlie's body. She realizes he was unfairly killed. To stay safe, Mary puts on Charlie's clothes. She pretends to be a boy named "Jack." Then, she joins the crew of a ship called HMS Dolphin as a ship's boy.
While on the Dolphin, Jacky faces many dangers. During a fight with an enemy ship, she bravely defeats a pirate. Because of this brave act, her shipmates give her a special nickname: "Bloody Jack."
Main Characters
Mary 'Jacky' Faber
Mary 'Jacky' Faber is the main character of the series. She grew up in a regular family in London. When she was about seven or eight, a sickness took her whole family. She became a street orphan. Jacky joined a group of kids led by Rooster Charlie.
After Charlie is killed, Jacky decides to join the H.M.S. Dolphin. She pretends to be a boy to get on board. Jacky is very clever and charming. She loves adventure and often gets into trouble. But she always finds a way out. She is known for her "foxy" smile.
Rooster Charlie
Rooster Charlie is called that because his last name is Brewster. He also has red hair that falls to the side. He is only about twelve to fourteen years old. But he leads a small group of orphans. Charlie is Jacky's closest friend.
Sadly, Charlie is killed by a bad person. When Jacky finds him, she takes his knife and clothes. These items help her start her new life as a boy. On the ship, she carves a rooster into the knife handle. This is to honor Charlie.
James 'Jaimy' Emerson Fletcher
Jaimy is another ship's boy on the H.M.S. Dolphin. His family is not rich, but they are not poor either. They couldn't afford for him to become an officer. So, his father sent him to be a ship's boy.
Jacky secretly tells Jaimy that she is a girl. After this, Jaimy and Jacky promise to be together. They use gold rings that they wear in their ears.
Liam Delaney
Liam Delaney is a skilled sailor from Ireland. He becomes Jacky's guide and protector on the ship. He gives her good advice. He also helps her avoid bad situations with other men. Liam does not know Jacky is a girl until everyone else finds out.
Muck
Muck is a person who deals with bodies. He took away Jacky's family after they died. He is also the person who caused Rooster Charlie's death.
Davy, Willy, Benjy, and Tink
These boys are Jacky and Jaimy's fellow shipmates. They become very close friends. They even form a "blood brotherhood." By the end of the book, they are separated by rank or by sad events. But the strong bond they made on the ship stays with them.
