An “intelligent, disturbing slice of noir” that portrays the man who derailed the police investigation into the Yorkshire Ripper (The Guardian). In this provocative novel, Mark Blacklock portrays the true and complex history of John Humble, aka Wearside Jack, the Ripper Hoaxer, a timewaster and criminal, sympathetic and revolting, the man hidden by a wall of words, a fiction-spinner worthy of textual analysis. In this remarkable work, John Humble leads the reader into an allusive, elusive labyrinth of interpretations, simultaneously hoodwinking and revealing. I’m Jack is a riveting novel about truth, lies, prison and shame. It is also a profound and furious love letter to Sunderland. It is a puzzle, a hoax, a multi-voice portrait and a virtuoso assemblage of textual elements. I’m Jack announces the arrival of a radically talented and innovative novelist. “A gripping study in self-invention—and, ultimately, self-erasure.”—Tom McCarthy, author of the Man Booker Prize finalists, Satin Island and C “Here are dark telegrams from an expertly realized otherness that is Sunderland. Spare. Swift. Smart. And dangerous. Carrying us through maps of shame to rescue a convincing fiction of the past from its sullen entropy.”—Iain Sinclair, award-winning author of The Last London “A chilling debut . . . An audacious exercise in mimicry . . . Its tone is mischievous, with a vein of dark, crafty humor—though the overall effect is somber. Blacklock’s Humble is impossible to like; yet by the end it is almost impossible not to feel sorry for him.”—Financial Times “A deftly executed ventriloquist act, it’s anchored in the true story of notorious hoaxer John Humble.”—Observer

The best-selling I AM JACK is regarded as the go-to book about the issue and the award-winning play has been performed to sell-out audiences in Australia and the US. Jack likes going to school. He enjoys learning new things. George Hamel calls Jack 'Bum Head'. All the kids at school call Jack 'Bum Head'. Jack's in Big trouble ... school is getting dangerous. Nobody seems to want to listen. Until one day ... Endorsed by Life Education Australia, the best-selling I AM JACK addresses bullying in schools, while remaining accessible and entertaining for younger readers.

In rhyming text, Jack describes all the ways that God gave him to move around, from running and swimming to building and climbing.

Just when Joey Pigza's wired world finally seems to be under control, his good-for-nothing dad pops back into his life. This time, though, Carter Pigza is a new man – literally. After a lucky lotto win, Carter Pigza has a crazy new outlook on life, and he's even changed his name to Charles Heinz. He thinks Joey and his mom should become new people, too. Soon Joey finds himself bombarded with changes: a new name, a new home, and a new family business – running the beat-up Beehive Diner. He knows he should forgive his dad as his mom wants him to, and get with the new family program. But Joey is afraid that in changing names and going with the flow he will lose sight of who he really is. In this rocket-paced new chapter in Joey Pigza's life, a favorite hero discovers what identity and forgiveness really mean, and how to cook a delicious turkey burger. This title has Common Core connections.

A nineteenth-century tale of dangerous and pioneering ideas, based on the incredible true story of a scandalous British mathematician. Howard Hinton and his family are living in Japan, escaping from a scandal. Hinton’s obsession is his work, his voyages into mathematical pure space, into the fourth dimension, but also his wife and sons, each of whom are entangled in the strange and unknown landscapes of Hinton’s science fictions. In a bravura and startling meeting of real and philosophical elements, Mark Blacklock has created a ravishing period piece of late-Victorian social, scientific and domestic life. Hinton is about extraordinary discoveries, and terrible choices. It is about people who discover and map other realms, and what the implications might be for those of us left behind. “A singular literary achievement.” —TheObserver “A refreshing, unusual and enriching tale of sadness and scandal.” —Spectator “Somewhere between detective novel, philosophical head-scratcher and historical page-turner, Hinton is a chimerical treat.” —Tatler “A brilliant resurrectionist raid on the past as it should have unfolded. Mark Blacklock breathes new life into the tropes of detective fiction, occult mathematics and forensic science. He makes new mysteries out of re-forgotten enigmas.” —Iain Sinclair

The fourth and concluding book about Jack - an ordinary boy who does extraordinary things. Ages: 9+ Jack is in Year 6 now and still loves his photography, surfing, and crazy family. Things are going well for him, particularly at school where he isn't bullied any more. But he notices that his best friend Christopher is being taunted and is starting to miss school and hiding out and avoiding everyone. And when a football match turns ugly and Jack and Christopher witness some unfair dirty play, they know that, again, the bullying has to stop. Ages: 9+

An illustrated poem which celebrates children who enjoy doing all kinds of activities. This poem originally appeared in The Random House book of poetry for children, published in 1983.

The hilarious tale of hijinks and heroism, as told by big dog Jack, is now in paperback with fun, bright cover art. Jack and his girlfriend, Petra the Samoyed, run off. When Jack's owner has an accident while trying to find them, Jack gets to be the hero.

Families are made up in all sorts of way, and it takes a holiday for Jack and his stepbrother Leo to work out their differences. Ages: 9+ Instead of having to contend with bullies, Jack must contend with his family in this sequel to the bestselling I AM JACK. It's the school holidays and Mum announces to Jack and his annoying younger sister Samantha, that they are all going on a family holiday to the Gold Coast. And family means Nanna, sort-of-stepdad Rob and his son Leo, as well as Jack's friend Anna. Families are made up in all sorts of ways nowadays, and it takes this holiday for Jack and Leo to work out their differences and for Jack to realise just how lucky he is to have such a great family. Ages 9+

John began life in the usual fashion, but in the squalid surroundings of Victorian London his life was neither easy or pleasant. Educated by a priest, abandoned by his father, mentally and physically abused by his prostitute mother, – he seeks refuge at sea. John returns to Whitechapel a grown man, his cruel mother is dead. Years of brutality have been lifted from his broad shoulders until he begins to see only the dark and seamy side of his surroundings. A woman enters his life who seems different, clean...one bright spot in his gloomy existence. For different reasons, they plunge into marriage with catastrophic results. Shattered, John concocts a deadly plan filled with revenge, remorse and the memory of his mother.