Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life facts for kids
The cover of the first edition
|
|
| Author | Wendy Mass |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's novel |
| Publisher | Little, Brown and Company |
|
Publication date
|
November 2006 |
| Media type | Print (hardcover and paperback) |
| Pages | 289 pp |
| ISBN | 978-0-316-05829-2 |
| [Fic] 22 | |
| LC Class | PZ7.M42355 Jer 2006 |
Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life is an exciting children's novel. It was written by Wendy Mass and published in 2006. The story follows twelve-year-old Jeremy Fink. He teams up with his best friend, Lizzy Muldoun. They go on a big adventure to find four special keys. These keys unlock a mysterious wooden box. This box arrives just one month before Jeremy's 13th birthday. The book also has a hidden link to another one of Wendy Mass's novels, Every Soul a Star.
In 2012, this book was made into a movie. Maxwell Beer played Jeremy Fink. Ryan Simpkins played Lizzy Muldoun. The film was directed by Tamar Halpern.
Contents
Jeremy's Big Adventure
A Mysterious Box Arrives
One month before his thirteenth birthday, Jeremy Fink gets a strange package. He is at his New York City apartment with his best friend, Lizzy Muldoun. Lizzy convinces him to open the package. Inside, they find a wooden box. It has four keyholes. On the box are the words: "THE MEANING OF LIFE: FOR JEREMY FINK TO OPEN ON HIS 13TH BIRTHDAY."
Jeremy quickly realizes the box is from his father. His father had passed away five years earlier. A note with the box explains that the person holding it lost all the keys. Jeremy is determined to open the box. He and Lizzy visit a locksmith. The locksmith says he cannot open the box without breaking it. So, the two friends decide to find the missing keys themselves. They want to find them before Jeremy's birthday.
Summer of Surprises
Lizzy's impulsive nature soon gets them into trouble. They accidentally damage some property. Because of this, they have to do community service all summer. Community service means doing helpful tasks for the public. They are assigned to work for Mr. Oswald. He is an antique dealer. Mr. Oswald is getting ready to move to Florida. He asks Jeremy and Lizzy to deliver some special old items.
As they deliver the first item, they realize something important. They are returning items to their original owners. These people had pawned, or sold, these items when they were teenagers. Each item comes with a letter. The letter explains why the owner had to sell it long ago.
Finding Life's Meaning
The people Jeremy meets teach him important lessons. They share their different views on life. While doing their community service, Jeremy and Lizzy keep looking for the keys. They also have to prepare for a performance at a fair. This is because they lost a bet to Jeremy's grandmother.
In the end, Jeremy finally understands the meaning of life. This happens when he opens the mysterious box.
The Movie
Fink Films and Kidzhouse Entertainment made a movie based on the book. It was released in 2011. Tamar Halpern wrote the script and directed the film. The movie starred Mira Sorvino and Joe Pantoliano. Maxwell Beer played Jeremy Fink. Ryan Simpkins played his best friend, Lizzy Muldoun. The film won an award. It was named Best Family Film at the Garden State Film Festival in 2012.
