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Jumping the Scratch
Jamie Reardon has always heard that bad things come in threes. So after his cat, Mister, dies, his father leaves, and his aunt Sapphy has an accident that causes her memory to develop a skip, Jamie hopes his life will go back to being as normal as cornflakes. But unfortunately there's one more bad thing in store for Jamie, something he'd give anything to be able to forget, and this one leaves him feeling like a stranger to himself.
Jamie tries in vain to find the magic trigger that will help Sapphy's memory jump the scratch, like the needle on her favorite Frank Sinatra record, but in the end it's Aunt Sapphy who, along with a curious girl named Audrey Krouch, helps Jamie unravel the mysteries of memory and jump the scratch in his own life.
Sarah Weeks' poignant characters and powerful prose come together in a story that is both heart wrenching and inspiring, another gem from the award-winning author of So B. It.
Jamie tries in vain to find the magic trigger that will help Sapphy's memory jump the scratch, like the needle on her favorite Frank Sinatra record, but in the end it's Aunt Sapphy who, along with a curious girl named Audrey Krouch, helps Jamie unravel the mysteries of memory and jump the scratch in his own life.
Sarah Weeks' poignant characters and powerful prose come together in a story that is both heart wrenching and inspiring, another gem from the award-winning author of So B. It.
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First published January 1, 2006
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About the author
Sarah Weeks
102 books504 followersSarah Weeks has been writing children’s books and songs for the past twenty years. She is a graduate of Hampshire College and NYU and recently became an adjunct faculty member in the prestigious Writing Program at the New School University, in New York City.
Her first YA novel, So B. It, which appeared on the LA Times bestseller list was chosen as an ALA Best Book for Young Adults and received the 2004 Parent’s Choice Gold Award. In addition to being an author, Sarah is an accomplished singer/songwriter. She has written for television, stage and screen and a number of her picturebooks include songs which she both writes and sings for the accompanying CD’s. Sarah's titles have sold well over a million copies, including several foreign editions.
Sarah is a tireless promoter, visiting schools throughout the country, serving as author-in-residence and speaking to teachers and librarians at national conferences including IRA, ALA and NCTE. She lives in New York City with her two teenage sons.
Her first YA novel, So B. It, which appeared on the LA Times bestseller list was chosen as an ALA Best Book for Young Adults and received the 2004 Parent’s Choice Gold Award. In addition to being an author, Sarah is an accomplished singer/songwriter. She has written for television, stage and screen and a number of her picturebooks include songs which she both writes and sings for the accompanying CD’s. Sarah's titles have sold well over a million copies, including several foreign editions.
Sarah is a tireless promoter, visiting schools throughout the country, serving as author-in-residence and speaking to teachers and librarians at national conferences including IRA, ALA and NCTE. She lives in New York City with her two teenage sons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews
March 25, 2025
well, Jamie was was traumatized, in a context of poverty, an aunt with amnesia, an absent mother, an indifferent teacher... real, controversial, leaves the reader to imagine a traumatic episode, interesting...
July 17, 2008
Definitely not as good as her 2008 award winner, So B. It, this has similar themes surrounding the main character. The young boy in this story has an Aunt that suffers from memory loss. In So B. It, the young female character has a mother struggling with memory loss, but it is more severe and has many other complications.
I cried several times at the end of So B. It, because I was really attached to the characters. I didn't feel the same about this book, although Weeks deals really nicely with the issues surrounding sexual abuse. Unfortunately, I think that there are many young people out there that may relate well to the struggles of this main character.
I cried several times at the end of So B. It, because I was really attached to the characters. I didn't feel the same about this book, although Weeks deals really nicely with the issues surrounding sexual abuse. Unfortunately, I think that there are many young people out there that may relate well to the struggles of this main character.
August 31, 2008
I adored Heidi in her novel So B. It, so I was eager to read this one as well. I think what makes her books so good is that the characters and the way they see the world are so charming, innocent, but still wise. I listened to both of these books on audio, so I'm curious if I would feel differently if I had read them.
January 2, 2013
So B. It was a five star read for me in 2012, and thus I'm compelled to read other books by Sarah Weeks.
This one did not disappoint and Weeks is an author I'll follow.
When Jamie and his mother move to northern Michigan to live with and assist his Aunt Sapphy, the transition is difficult.
Abandoned by his father who left for another woman, Jamie and his mother moved and now live in a tiny trailer; his mother works long hours, and his Aunt is different.
Suffering from an accident at a cherry factory, Aunt Sapphy now has amnesia. Like a needle stuck in a record, Aunt Sapphy repeats herself over and over and over and over.
While Aunt Sapphy cannot remember, Jamie has a terrible secret and he longs to be more like his Aunt. While she cannot remember; he cannot forget.
Persecuted on the bus and in school, Jamie simply tries to zone out. When Audrey Krouch, a gangly, curious girl who lives in the same trailer park, begins to notice and tries to interact with Jamie, he realizes just how much his secret impacts on his ability to relate to others.
Before he moved, Jaime had a lovely cat named Mister. A stray, Mister was taken in and cared for by Jaime. When Mister has an accident and dies, it coincides with the loss of his father. Losing two things he loved is terribly painful.
Losing the wonderful relationship he previously had with Aunt Sapphy before her accident, simply represents yet another tragedy and loss.
When Mr. Gray, the manager of the trailer park befriends Jamie, he thinks he can trust and share his loss and pain. Sadly, he is used and abused by Mr. Gray. Mr. Gray's betrayal leads to shame for Jamie and represents yet another loss of innocence.
Desperately trying to hide his secret from everyone, Audrey notices that Jamie takes the long way from the bus to his home, avoiding the area where Mr. Gray lives, and she continues to question Jamie.
As Jamie's secret unravels, the relationship with Audrey and with Aunt Sapphy helps both Jamie and Aunt Sapphy to "jump the scratch" and to sing a new song.
Highly recommended.
This one did not disappoint and Weeks is an author I'll follow.
When Jamie and his mother move to northern Michigan to live with and assist his Aunt Sapphy, the transition is difficult.
Abandoned by his father who left for another woman, Jamie and his mother moved and now live in a tiny trailer; his mother works long hours, and his Aunt is different.
Suffering from an accident at a cherry factory, Aunt Sapphy now has amnesia. Like a needle stuck in a record, Aunt Sapphy repeats herself over and over and over and over.
While Aunt Sapphy cannot remember, Jamie has a terrible secret and he longs to be more like his Aunt. While she cannot remember; he cannot forget.
Persecuted on the bus and in school, Jamie simply tries to zone out. When Audrey Krouch, a gangly, curious girl who lives in the same trailer park, begins to notice and tries to interact with Jamie, he realizes just how much his secret impacts on his ability to relate to others.
Before he moved, Jaime had a lovely cat named Mister. A stray, Mister was taken in and cared for by Jaime. When Mister has an accident and dies, it coincides with the loss of his father. Losing two things he loved is terribly painful.
Losing the wonderful relationship he previously had with Aunt Sapphy before her accident, simply represents yet another tragedy and loss.
When Mr. Gray, the manager of the trailer park befriends Jamie, he thinks he can trust and share his loss and pain. Sadly, he is used and abused by Mr. Gray. Mr. Gray's betrayal leads to shame for Jamie and represents yet another loss of innocence.
Desperately trying to hide his secret from everyone, Audrey notices that Jamie takes the long way from the bus to his home, avoiding the area where Mr. Gray lives, and she continues to question Jamie.
As Jamie's secret unravels, the relationship with Audrey and with Aunt Sapphy helps both Jamie and Aunt Sapphy to "jump the scratch" and to sing a new song.
Highly recommended.
August 5, 2017
This junior fiction novel was written decently. The characters were drawn out, Weeks made her settings come to life, and the plot kept me engaged in the book. I started reading this book knowing full well the plot twist: Jaimie had been sexually abused months before by someone he once trusted. It's very different to have a junior fiction novel that involves childhood sexual abuse. Reading the book, you could see how Jaimie was struggling with the symptoms of that particular kind of abuse. For instance, he blamed himself for events that were not even his fault, he avoided the abuser, he took a more dangerous route home just to avoid the building where the abuse took place, he experienced sensations (i.e. the taste of butterscotch and a button pressing against his cheek) whenever an anxiety-inducing situation took place, holding in his emotions, not trusting people, feeling like he doesn't fit in with the rest of the world, etc... In that sense, I thought the book may be very relatable, and thus helpful, for children who are/were sexually abused. In the end, Jaimie, quite by accident, ended up telling his beloved aunt what happened with the idea that she would forget it due to her severe acute amnesia. But she didn't as that ended up being the "magic" trigger to bring her memory back. So, the aunt told Jaimie's mom and the abuser was put in jail. While Jaimie must have felt alone in his struggles, the author put in the end that Jaimie found out that other children had been touched by the same man. Hopefully, as children in a similar situation read this book, they will feel less alone. I would have loved to see "Arthur" come back and be good friends with Jaimie instead of Audrey, but that's just a personal preference. All in all, it was a good read. It was engaging, descriptive, and brought on a variety of emotions. I would recommend this book especially to children who have been sexually abused and need a cathartic experience.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 15, 2017
Jumping the Scratch is a good, quick read that smacks you right in the feels. It is full of interesting characters that pop in and out of the main storyline, which keeps it interesting to read. The main character, Jamie, has kind of a troubled life at the moment that is fixed in a very powerful, emotional way.
There is an eclectic mix of characters in this book; Jamie, the main character, is a shy 11-year-old boy that has a troubled home life and lives in a trailer park in Traverse City Michigan with his mother, his Aunt Sapphy, and her caretaker. Jamie, as I said, has a little bit of a troubled life right now. He unfortunately has had a bad encounter with a creepy old man nicknamed “Old Grey”, who works in the little office for the trailer park. He keeps this secret for a very long time, holding tight to it so no one might find out about a speck of it. He later meets another character named “Audrey Krouch”, who is a girl about his age who is a little bit of an outcast, odd, and eclectic child. After many attempts by Jamie not to be seen with her, they finally develop a friendship. Jamie is in third grade and has the stereotypical unsympathetic third grade teacher named “Miss Miller” who has a class pet. She is, in fact one of my least favorite characters in the entire book. I would say that she supports Jaime about as much as the class bully. He is supported, however, by a visiting author who gives him some nice, positive advice and encouragement.
As a reader, I would say that this book is a great quick read. It does tend to read a little bit slowly in the beginning, however, it does pick up the action about a third of the way through the book. I would most likely recommend this book to high school aged and older students and people. I would definitely encourage reading this book for yourself.
There is an eclectic mix of characters in this book; Jamie, the main character, is a shy 11-year-old boy that has a troubled home life and lives in a trailer park in Traverse City Michigan with his mother, his Aunt Sapphy, and her caretaker. Jamie, as I said, has a little bit of a troubled life right now. He unfortunately has had a bad encounter with a creepy old man nicknamed “Old Grey”, who works in the little office for the trailer park. He keeps this secret for a very long time, holding tight to it so no one might find out about a speck of it. He later meets another character named “Audrey Krouch”, who is a girl about his age who is a little bit of an outcast, odd, and eclectic child. After many attempts by Jamie not to be seen with her, they finally develop a friendship. Jamie is in third grade and has the stereotypical unsympathetic third grade teacher named “Miss Miller” who has a class pet. She is, in fact one of my least favorite characters in the entire book. I would say that she supports Jaime about as much as the class bully. He is supported, however, by a visiting author who gives him some nice, positive advice and encouragement.
As a reader, I would say that this book is a great quick read. It does tend to read a little bit slowly in the beginning, however, it does pick up the action about a third of the way through the book. I would most likely recommend this book to high school aged and older students and people. I would definitely encourage reading this book for yourself.
May 18, 2008
I like this book.
Jamie and his mother moved to live with his aunt, who had an accident in her workplace, in a cherry factory. This accident had made his aunt unable to remember anything more than 30 minutes, but she could still remember all her past until before the accident. So it's just like a CD that had a scratch on it and whenever being played it will repeat the same part again and again.
His father had left him and his mother for another woman. Since then he never met or heard him again.
Jamie wanted to help her aunt to jump the scratch. He always tried to find a magic trigger that could made her remember things again. But he himself also had a problem to solve, he wanted to forget thing, that kept haunting and burdening his mind. Thing that he promised not to ever tell to anybody else. Thing that made him different from other kids.
With his curious friend, Audrey Krouch, he tried to unravel the mistery.
Jamie and his mother moved to live with his aunt, who had an accident in her workplace, in a cherry factory. This accident had made his aunt unable to remember anything more than 30 minutes, but she could still remember all her past until before the accident. So it's just like a CD that had a scratch on it and whenever being played it will repeat the same part again and again.
His father had left him and his mother for another woman. Since then he never met or heard him again.
Jamie wanted to help her aunt to jump the scratch. He always tried to find a magic trigger that could made her remember things again. But he himself also had a problem to solve, he wanted to forget thing, that kept haunting and burdening his mind. Thing that he promised not to ever tell to anybody else. Thing that made him different from other kids.
With his curious friend, Audrey Krouch, he tried to unravel the mistery.
January 6, 2018
Jumping the Scratch by Sarah Weeks is a book about a boy named Jamie who has moved with his mother to live with his aunt in a trailer. Jamie doesn't have very many friends and is miserable in this new place. He is living with his aunt Sapphy who suffers from memory loss ever since something fell on her head when she was working at the factory. Throughout the book he goes through many difficulties, but everything turns out alright.
Personally, I would rate this book 5 stars. I never wanted to put the book down, and I'm not much of a reader. This book had the perfect mix of laughter, scare, and emotion. I loved this book.
I would recommend this book to grades 5 and up. It is a good book for a wide range of readers. I would even recommend this book to people no longer in school. It was definitely one of m favorites.
Personally, I would rate this book 5 stars. I never wanted to put the book down, and I'm not much of a reader. This book had the perfect mix of laughter, scare, and emotion. I loved this book.
I would recommend this book to grades 5 and up. It is a good book for a wide range of readers. I would even recommend this book to people no longer in school. It was definitely one of m favorites.
June 5, 2018
As an adult it is always hard to read a book that deals with a prevalent issue. Weeks slowly reveals what we are afraid is implied towards the beginning of the book. Reading this book could be a good way for some readers to know that they are not alone and that they can find others for help. That being said the story isn't all about the secret event that Jamie is dealing with but the 3 strikes that came before that. His dad leaves the family, his favorite aunt is in an accident and they move to take care of her. Right there Jamie is dealing with a lot.
Weeks gives a voice to so many different trip-ups in children's lives today. What she shows with Jamie, is that readers have things happen that cause them to get caught in a route like a needle on a record, but they can also take themselves out the scratch and move ahead.
Due to subject matter, mature 3rd graders and up.
Weeks gives a voice to so many different trip-ups in children's lives today. What she shows with Jamie, is that readers have things happen that cause them to get caught in a route like a needle on a record, but they can also take themselves out the scratch and move ahead.
Due to subject matter, mature 3rd graders and up.
December 3, 2008
This is a great story about a young boy named Jamie and how he deals with a very traumatic experience in his life. His coping mechanism is trying to forget. It also is a good story dealing with family relationships and finding friendships in unexpected places. There is a really good part of the story where a visiting "Arthur" comes to Jamie's school and he takes an interest in Jamie. However, Jamie's teacher is depicted in a very bad light. I enjoyed the book very much.
February 11, 2020
Another awesome book by Sarah Weeks. This one has fun quirky characters that she is able to bring to life so well.
I listened to this on Hoopla narrated by Stephen Spinella who did an excellent job.
I'd rate this PG - even though there is no foul language or violence it addresses a tough subject that parents should decide if their kids are old enough to hear.
I listened to this on Hoopla narrated by Stephen Spinella who did an excellent job.
I'd rate this PG - even though there is no foul language or violence it addresses a tough subject that parents should decide if their kids are old enough to hear.
October 16, 2019
Very good quick read. Deals with adversity in tough situations. Does not dwell on any one bad situation but navigates thru a life of changes that are unwelcome and sad. How to make friends and stand up for yourself is covered-how to trust others and yourself-how you can't fix every problem, but talking and/or writing about them can be helpful.
Lead characters are not whiners. The book went VERY fast. I like this author. Will keep reading books by her and recommending to others.
Lead characters are not whiners. The book went VERY fast. I like this author. Will keep reading books by her and recommending to others.
July 21, 2008
I am not sure I agree with this being a teen book, other than for content. The main character is in 5th grade. 11 years old. The writing is fairly simple, and except for the thing that Jamie wants to forget (which is never described in complete detail), it's an upper elementary or middle school book.
June 28, 2012
Sarah Weeks has a fantastic way with words (and "Arthur" gives you some insight into that!) But the characters are what makes her books outstanding. The reader sees deep inside Jaime - his past, his emotions, his experiences. No spoiler, but the opposing wishes coming together in the ending ending was truly brilliant. I hope to use this book with my students, and will read it again!
March 5, 2016
My heart hurts.
Jamie has been through the ringer, but his voice carries a kindness with the pain that draws you in and want to save him.
I love the slow release of details in a way that tells you the story you are afraid to hear. Pairing this with the wonderfully supportive and kooky Audrey makes this story perfection.
This book is phenomenal and painful and dark and well done.
Jamie has been through the ringer, but his voice carries a kindness with the pain that draws you in and want to save him.
I love the slow release of details in a way that tells you the story you are afraid to hear. Pairing this with the wonderfully supportive and kooky Audrey makes this story perfection.
This book is phenomenal and painful and dark and well done.
Read
June 13, 2019This is a story with realistic characters and situations. The author did an exceptional job introducing that Jamie was the victim of a child predator without being graphic, retelling all the events, or letting it take over the bigger story. Read the full review at the Reading Tub.
Read
October 11, 2016I love Sarah Weeks writing and this did not disappoint. She touches on some very difficult subjects (bullying and sexual molestation). While this may be too dark for some people, I loved it and recommend it.
June 22, 2019
I don’t know that all children will understand what has happened to Jaimie and that is okay but could make this confusing. I think it’s great that there is a boy as the main character, we often ignore that boys are victims too.
July 13, 2019
Although this is a difficult subject to discuss with boys (or girls), it is a story that needed to be written.
As it usually happens with characters from Sarah Weeks’ books, I fell in love with many characters in addition to the main one.
As it usually happens with characters from Sarah Weeks’ books, I fell in love with many characters in addition to the main one.
August 1, 2016
This was one of the best books I read as a child.
November 13, 2016
As usual, Sarah Weeks has created a poignant cast of characters and events that will grab your attention, keep it the entire time and leave you thinking about it for hours afterwards.
January 16, 2017
Surprised by the ending & loved the characters.
August 16, 2017
This was a book that really touched me. It did deal with some sensitive issues but was done from the point of view of a child. It was short but powerful. I'll look for more books by Sarah Weeks.
December 12, 2017
Didn't read the summary of the book. It was emotionally difficult for me to read, but it was a good book.
April 3, 2018
I love Sarah Weeks’ storytelling. Hard stories are gracefully written about without divulging the details. Unspoken words are powerful.
December 24, 2018
"Jumping the scratch" is something we should all learn to do. A great middle grade book.
July 9, 2019
This was a sad story with a happy ending.
December 10, 2018
In 'Jumping the Scratch', Jamie Reardon's life is a nightmare. His father has left, his mother is busy and his aunt has memory issues. At school, he's constantly picked on and has no friends. On top of that, he desperately wants to forget a traumatizing incident but finds it impossible.
This story was short and simple yet so wonderfully written. Jamie was closed off, scared and unhappy - all of which was reflected in the writing via showing instead of merely telling. He dreaded getting on the school bus, couldn't concentrate in class and tried to help his aunt regain her memory. He was clearly extremely troubled by what had happened to him. Bit by bit, this was revealed and needless to say, I felt sorry for him.
The ending was a little too neat for me but there was no doubt that Jamie deserved all the good he could get. Overall, 'Jumping the Scratch' was a quick and meaningful read that didn't try to be more than it was.
This story was short and simple yet so wonderfully written. Jamie was closed off, scared and unhappy - all of which was reflected in the writing via showing instead of merely telling. He dreaded getting on the school bus, couldn't concentrate in class and tried to help his aunt regain her memory. He was clearly extremely troubled by what had happened to him. Bit by bit, this was revealed and needless to say, I felt sorry for him.
The ending was a little too neat for me but there was no doubt that Jamie deserved all the good he could get. Overall, 'Jumping the Scratch' was a quick and meaningful read that didn't try to be more than it was.
March 26, 2022
Jamie Reardon's cat died, his dad left, and his aunt Sapphy, with whom he lived, lost her memories like a skip over a scratch in a record. Then something happens to Jamie that he wishes he could forget. Jamie cares for Sapphy, trying to learn what will trigger her memory to return. A neighbor and classmate named Audrey eventual helps Jamie ask the right questions of himself and Sapphy in an emotional unraveling of what he wants to forget and what Sapphy can now remember.
As in a good mystery, information is revealed like the layers of an onion for the reader to piece together. All comes together in the end, but none of it comes easily for the characters.
As in a good mystery, information is revealed like the layers of an onion for the reader to piece together. All comes together in the end, but none of it comes easily for the characters.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews