Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life

By: Wendy Mass

Narrated by: Andy Paris

Length: 9 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's Summary

Jeremy Fink has big plans for this summer with his best friend Lizzy, a notorious troublemaker (and no, he does not have a secret crush on her). He has everything he needs within a few blocks of his home, so he never has to leave his little neighborhood. And this summer, he officially becomes a teenager.

A mysterious box engraved with the words "THE MEANING OF LIFE: For Jeremy Fink To Open On His 13th Birthday" arrives in the mail from Jeremy's long-departed father. The four keys needed to open the box are lost, setting Jeremy and Lizzy off on a quest to find them somewhere in the vastness of New York City. Along the way, they soon discover something about themselves in their search for the keys to the meaning of life.

Author Wendy Mass is a recipient of the ALA's Schneider Family Award. She delights young audiences with her quirky characters that are easy to relate to.

©2006 Wendy Mass (P)2007 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic Reviews

"Well-written and captivating; the reader gets a chance to discover the meaning of life as well and will not be disappointed." ( Kliatt)

A Feel-Good Story That Opens The Heart & The Mind

Wendy Mass did another great job creating unique characters. Combine that with another amazingly unique story and you have a wonderful book. With his 13th birthday just a summer away, Jeremy gets the best present anybody can ask for - the exposure to life that will forever change the way he views the world...all thanks to his dad (who passed away when he was 8).

The story had a rough start, but less than an hour into this adventure I couldn't stop listening. Mass ends the story with a feel-good twist that I have come to now expect from her writing.

It is a wonderful story...maybe her best thus far. Definitely check it out.

The ending changed my mind

I was frustrated, bored and annoyed at different points listening to this book. I found it pretentious and preachy; I didn't agree with the philosophy expressed, didn't like the plot much, and almost stopped listening. Then came the last few chapters and changed my whole perspective. I am glad I finished it and will probably be thinking about it for some time.

Wonderful Book! Average Audio...

I decided to use Audible rather than go to my local library for the disks to share this story with my class. Even though it has a table of contents with each chapter, it is not the beginning of the chapter but rather begins somewhere in the middle. So now I have to spend time finding where each chapter begins and bookmarking it so it is ready to play for my class. So much for saving time with the use of Audible.

Michael school book

This book was really good if it’s the summer and your bored and have to read a book for school I recommend this book. It’s adventurous and a cliffhanger. I always never liked reading books until I used audible it helps me read the best books whenever. If your on vacation on a hammock just chill and read this book on audible.

the book was wonderful

I once checked out this book in library class in school but never had time to read it so finding out the ending of the book in the middle of summer after I read 1 chapter of it in school is a wonderful feeling. the most memorable parts of the story for me is when Jeremy and Lizzy get the suitcase and try all the keys but only find 3 of them, and when lizzy hands him the fanal key.

Absolutely Excellent!

Enjoyable for every age! I was listening as a teacher but even as an adult, I thoroughly enjoyed this story! The narrator is excellent as well!

Amazing

loved it
best book
ending surprising
cool
magical
fantabulous
unexpected
stellar
no complained
lengthy
meaningful

Thought provoking

Great book. Interesting storyline and thought provoking for my 6 and 9 year old boys. Only caviate was that I had to explain menstruation to them due to one of the scenes.

Good book

It's a little deep for children. Unfortunately, my fifth grader lost interest pretty quick, but overall it was a good book. I really liked the message.

Mystery without being a mystery

I love how the story is a mystery but without being a mystery and how it shows people working together for one big goal