The Jacket

By Andrew Clements

Phil is on a mission. His absentminded little brother forgot his lunch money. All kinds of thoughts are running through Phil's mind as he searches for Jimmy in the throngs of fourth and fifth graders crowding the school hallway:...if I'm late for math today, then I might not be allowed to take the test -- and then I could flunk math! I might even flunk sixth grade and get left back!
Then Phil spots Jimmy's one-of-a-kind jacket and rushes to the corner of the hallway. Except the person wearing it isn't his brother; it's some black kid Phil's never seen before -- wearing Jimmy's jacket! Phil makes an accusation, tempers flare, and both kids wind up in the principal's office.
How will Phil react when he finds out how Daniel came to be the owner of this unique jacket? Will Daniel be able to forgive Phil for an accusation that was based on racial prejudice? What will each boy learn about the other, and most important, about himself?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
• Release date: May 2, 2002
• ISBN: 9780689848308

Andrew Clements

Andrew Clements (1949–2019) was the author of the enormously popular Frindle. More than 10 million copies of his books have been sold, and he was nominated for a multitude of state awards, including a Christopher Award and an Edgar Award. His popular works include About Average, Troublemaker, Extra Credit, Lost and Found, No Talking, Room One, Lunch Money, and more. He was also the author of the Benjamin Pratt & the Keepers of the School series. Find out more at AndrewClements.com.

Book preview

Part I

COLLISION COURSE

It was Thursday morning right before first period, and Phil was on a mission. Hurrying through the fourth- and fifth-grade hall, he waded through groups of younger kids. His little brother, Jimmy, had left the house early so he could ride to school with a friend, and he had forgotten his lunch money on the kitchen counter.

Phil was tall for a sixth grader, so most of the younger kids got out of his way. Which was good, because he had no time to mess around. If he got one more tardy during December, he would have to serve two detentions. The pressure made Phil’s imagination run at full throttle. Like, if I’m late for math today, then I might not be allowed to take the test—and then I could flunk math! I might even flunk sixth grade and get left back! And when Mom and Dad yell at me, I’m gonna get so mad, ’cause, like, it’s not even my fault! I’ll say, Hey, know what? Forget about school, that’s what! And I’ll just drop out and turn into a bum—or maybe even a criminal. My whole life’s gonna be a mess, and it’s all on account of my stupid little brother! Where is that punk?

Phil was about to stick his head into a classroom to look around. Then up at the corner of the hallway he thought he saw the back of his brother’s jacket. It had to be Jimmy. No one else in the whole city had a jacket like that one.

He called, Hey, Jimmy! but his brother didn’t stop, and Phil pushed his way forward and rushed around the corner. Hey, idiot, you forgot . . .

But it wasn’t Jimmy. It was someone Phil had never seen before, a black kid. Wearing Jimmy’s jacket.

Phil grabbed the collar and said, Hey! This is my brother’s jacket! Where is he? How’d you get this from him?

The other boy struggled, trying to pull away. What’re you talkin’ about? Let go of me! This is my jacket! I don’t even know your brother!

The kid twisted and turned to break free, but Phil was a lot bigger and stronger. You tell me where my brother’s at, or I’m gonna—

Boys! You stop it, right now! Mrs. Atkin came striding through the crowd that had gathered, pushing kids out of her way with her left hand and pointing at Phil with the other one. You let go of him, and I mean it!

Drawn by Mrs. Atkin’s voice, three or four other teachers stepped out into the hallway.

Phil let go of the jacket, and the younger boy jerked around to face him, his fists up, his eyes narrowed.

Mrs. Atkin stepped between them and said to the younger boy, "Daniel, you put your hands down. And all the rest of you kids, go on about your business. Get your things

Reviews for The Jacket

[roxygamboa · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A white boy sees a black boy wearing his jacket and he automatically assumes he stole it. Now he is confused whether or not he is prejudice or not. It's great for children to and open their eyes on the subject of racism.

[alexiamacia · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I like that the dilemma's the two boys face in this book are still current in today's society and are very believable. Phil peels back the layers of what it means to be friends with everyone and actually being a real friend to someone whom he never considered actually being close to. He searches within himself to find the truth of his real feelings towards having African-American friends.

[mmwrigh3 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This story is about a boy who is struggling with the thought that he might be racists. He has a altercation with another boy over a jacket that may or may not have been stolen. I think this is a great story because it is realistic fiction and deals with racial prejudice.

[tylerballer5 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book is called The Jacket by Andrew Clemets. I did not really like this book it just got kind of boring towards the end. But anyway it starts out this boy has a jacket that his grandmother made him and he also has a big brother. So they go to school and the little boy forgot his lunch money on the counter and the big brother went and got it. Then the big brother went to give it to his little brother and he thinks he sees him but is is a fourth grader that the big brother thinks is his little brothers so he grabs the boy and.....To find out what the big big brother does to the little fourth grader read The Jacket by Andrew Clemets

[crichar3 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Excellent story explaining racism.

[sacamp_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Phil has found that a stranger named Daniel has his brothers jacket and they get in a argument until they go to the priceable. Soon they find out that it's both there jacket. And you have to read more to find out what happened next.

[born1990 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Genre: Realistic FictionThis book is a good example of realistic fiction because it a story based on real life. The plot line is something that could easily happen in every day life. It contains settings we see everywhere- school, sidewalks, friends houses, home, etc. The reader does not have to stretch their imagination very much to understand the story.Critique: Characterization

[madelinelbaker · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This early chapter book is a good example of realistic fiction because many of us today suffer with racism without even knowing it, just like Phil did when he saw an African American boy wearing, what he thought was his brothers jacket.

[rvangent · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is an example of realistic fiction as it gives a realistic portrayal of two school age boys who are look very different but are about to discover that they have a lot more in common than they thought. The main character, Phil struggles with feelings of prejudice as he gets into a fight with an African American boy who he thinks took his brother's jacket. As the story continues, we see his real feelings and emotions come out as he tries to apologize to the boy and get to know him better. These human interactions and the emotional struggles that Phil goes through makes it a great example of realistic fiction. It also has a very good message to kids as Phil overcomes his feelings of prejudice in order to learn more about Daniel. Media: pencil

[bplma_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A white student, Phil, sees a black student, Daniel, wearing his brother's jacket and assumes the boy has stolen it. Daniel is righteously angry and Phil, in questioning his own actions, begins to see his entire world--including his family--in the context of racism and white privilege. it is not great literature and the story line is a little pat--Phil suddenly sees and understands subtle racism in himself, his family, his society, and in the end, he and daniel become friends. Yes, i agree--clumsy and hoky--BUT, this is a great message--a real, complex message about racism in our society that IS very complex and that occurs right now and that involves otherwise good people. The Jacket is a great book for class discussion and begs to be assigned to a 4th or 5th grade book club. The adults, in general, do not want to talk about the incident that bothers Phil so much, and with the exception of Lucy, Phil's family maid and Daniel's grandmother (a little contrived, i know!) they all fail in their response in some way--the principal, phil's mother, his father...A wonderful book that will read well for most in the age group--a great book for encouraging a REAL discussion about racism in the age group. Realistic realistic fiction...I love Andrew Clements!

[hdusty_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

simplistic morality story, but a good lesson to learn for most young readers. 'blame the black kid' turns on its head, and the white boy learns his own prejudice.

[mluke04 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is realistic fiction because it talks about a situation that could happen in almost any school or class, anywhere there is diversity. The characters have to deal with real feelings and have to learn how to accept each other.Philip's character is a dynamic character because he grows throughout the story. At the beginning of the book he doesn't think that he sees people differently because of their race. At the end of the book, he is able to acknowlege the difference and accept it.Media: ink drawings

[cmiller05_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This realistic fiction book has a very strong multicultural theme. It reveals thoughts that many people have in setting that many kids can relate to.

[cmiersma_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The book the Jacket portrays a white boy who realizes that black people are just like white people. They have normal everyday lives just like any other family. It starts with a jacket that gets passed down from a white family to a boy in a black family. The black boy takes offence to this and the white boy starts to notice the different black people in town. At first he thinks the races are different, but then realizes that there is no difference between black and white. This realistic fiction shows the perspective that a lot of kids might have of people of other races. This is a made up story that comes across as being true. It is a story that in some aspects could be true. It relates to children culturally and gives students social values. A teacher could use this book in a classroom to teach students that people of all cultures and races are in a sense alike, that we are all human and all live similar lives. A teacher could explain that even though one student may have white skin and another student has brown skin, they are both equal and alike, but different in personality. The setting in this book takes place in a normal town. One neighborhood consists mainly of white families and another neighborhood consists of mainly black families. The setting builds the necessary storyline. Media: N/A

[lleighton05 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Critique: Genre: This story gives multiple perspectives from other cultures. The boy who accuses the African American is white, and therefore, we hear his perspective about race. His father is racist, and the boy feels like he is because he has never acknowledged the differences between the races and how other races can be discriminated against. It also gives the perspective of the African American boy because he is offended that he would be accused for stealing. Character: The character of Phil is dynamic. He starts out at the beginning of the book, accusing another boy of stealing his brother's jacket. However, part way through the book he realizes his racist attitude and wants to change his perspective of other cultures and races. He changes his character by eventually running to the house of the boy he accused and apologizing to him. He also confronts his mother and father about their views on other cultures and accuses them of being racist also. He is a round character because we learn so much about his thoughts and feelings about races and cultures. We learn how he wants to change and how he feels like he is racist, but just never recognized the difference before. Media: Mixed media: Photography, pencil

[al04_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Jacket would be concidered a realistic fiction book because it has life examples of young boys and the questions toward others. The story is not a biography because the characters are make belief.The setting is in a school and around the community and plays a large part in the assumptions toward one another. The housing development, the shopping centers and the transportation was all impacted by the way each boy lived his life.

[sharmon05 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book tells a story that could happen and probably has. This makes it so this book is an excellent example of a realistic fiction. There is also great character development in this book. In the beginning, Phil was letting his preconceived ideas about a group of people govern his actions. However, at the end of the book he was able to correct these notions and change his outlook.

[aconant05 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Phil realizes that he is prejudice after ripping a jacket off of a young black boy, Daniel, who he believes stole the jacket from his little brother. He wonders if he would do this had it been a white boy and if he will ever receive forgiveness from Daniel whom he embarrassed.

[kshielee · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

There are many current pieces of technology in this book, such as the reverse address look-up and getting a map to a location on the internet. This element makes this story more relevant to kids and fits well in the realistic fiction category. The way this author describes the setting creates a world in which many students could find themselves. The time this story takes place is current, but there is no specific location of the story, which helps it seem more applicable to a wide variety of students around the country. This could also be the case in towns where the majority of people are not white and the roles reversed for the students.