Car-Jacked (novel) facts for kids

Car-Jacked is an exciting book by British author Ali Sparkes. It tells the story of Jack Mattingly, a 12-year-old super smart kid. His parents' car is taken by someone, and Jack ends up on an unexpected adventure with the person who took it. The book was nominated for a special award in 2017 called the Red House Children's Book Award.

The Story of Car-Jacked

An Unexpected Ride

Twelve-year-old Jack Mattingly is with his parents, Nigel and Leonie, at a petrol station. Jack stays in the car while his parents go inside. Suddenly, a man named Ross gets into the car and drives away! Ross, who has taken money from a bank, thought the car was empty.

A Surprising Rescue

When Ross finds Jack in the car, he first tries to make him leave. But then he realizes Jack has asthma and needs his inhaler. Ross quickly goes back to help Jack. Later, as Jack rests, Ross gets a call from a tough person named James Shearer. Shearer demands a lot of money, £100,000, from Ross. Jack overhears this and starts telling Ross how the police will find him.

The Search Begins

Meanwhile, Jack's parents are talking to the police about their missing son. The police soon figure out who Ross is. The car Ross is driving with Jack crashes into a deep ditch. Luckily, both Jack and Ross survive the crash.

A Brother in Trouble

James Shearer sends a video to Ross's phone. It shows a man who looks like he's in trouble. Ross explains that this is his younger brother, Stuart. Stuart got into trouble with James Shearer. To save Stuart, Ross must give Shearer £100,000. Ross soon realizes that Jack's clever mind might be able to help him save his brother.

A Tough Journey

Jack and Ross travel through some wet, muddy areas called peat bogs. Jack explains how these areas are important for the environment. They find an empty house and go inside. Jack enjoys some sugar, Weetabix, and Tetley tea bags. Jack also talks about how his mom is very competitive. Ross shares a bit about his own tough childhood.

Help on the Road

They go to the side of the road to try and get a ride. Soon, a Polish man named Yanos stops his truck and agrees to help them. Jack hears a radio report about a missing boy, and it mentions his mom's worry.

Main Characters

Jack Mattingly

Jack is a very smart twelve-year-old boy. He is so intelligent that he is part of Mensa International, a group for people with very high IQs. His smart ideas often help him out of tricky situations. Jack doesn't have many friends, except for one named Faresh.

Ross McAllister

Ross is a 27-year-old man from Glasgow, Scotland. He has been in prison before for taking money from a bank. He was trying to live a normal life and even taking classes in Art, Psychology, and English. But then his brother, Stuart, got into serious trouble. Ross believed he had to get £100,000 to save Stuart.

Leonie Mattingly

Leonie is Jack's mom. She is very strict and protective of Jack. She likes to plan out Jack's life very carefully. She really wants Jack to do well and go to a top university like Oxbridge.

Nigel Mattingly

Nigel is Jack's dad. He is much more relaxed than Leonie about Jack's achievements. He is proud of Jack for how well he handles the difficult situation he finds himself in during the story.

DI Raymond Taunton

DI Taunton is a clever police officer. He is determined to find Jack and make sure he is safe. He is good at figuring things out and knows what is right.

PC Denise Cotton

PC Cotton is another police officer who works with DI Taunton. She is also dedicated to finding Jack.