Jacqueline "Jacky" Hart is the main protagonist of Jacky Ha-Ha. She is the main character in a series of popular children's books written by James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein, with illustrations by Kerascoët.

== Appearance == Jacky is 12 years old, stands at 4'11'' (around 152 cm), and weighs 95 lbs (around 43 kg). She is a girl with a fair complexion and wavy, short brown hair, often depicted with bangs framing her face, and expressive black eyes. She's typically seen in a casual outfit consisting of a dark blue shirt, navy denim jeans, and white shoes with red accents.

== Personality == Jacky's defining trait is her irresistible urge to tell a joke in every situation, even when inappropriate. This constant stream of humor serves as her primary coping mechanism, helping her navigate significant personal challenges. These include her stutter, her mother's dangerous deployment overseas with the U.S. Marines, and her father's frequent absences due to his unusual job training to be a "pickle man."

Despite her relentless jokes and class clown antics—which often land her in trouble, earning her twenty detentions in the first week of school—Jacky is a deeply caring character, especially when it comes to keeping her family together. Her humor isn't just for laughs; it's a shield, ensuring people laugh with her, not at her, particularly regarding her stutter. This also feeds her desire for attention, partly stemming from feeling overlooked due to "middle child syndrome." When provoked, Jacky quickly deploys sarcastic retorts, showcasing her sharp wit.

The series explores Jacky's journey of self-discovery as she grapples with whether she can—or should—stop being "Jacky Ha-Ha" if that's truly who she is. She's a rebellious prankster who, while never breaking the law (though some antics are "borderline illegal"), often acts without considering the consequences. Examples include attempting to eat everything on a boardwalk, climbing a Ferris wheel, or trying to publicly call out thieves through song, all of which backfire. Despite these impulsive flaws, her resilience and eventual growth make her a highly likable and engaging protagonist.

== Trivia ==

• The name "Jacky Ha-Ha" originated from someone mocking her stutter when she tried to introduce her last name in preschool. She cleverly embraced it, transforming it into a badge of her wit.
• Jacky gets furious if her stutter is called a "speech impediment" and has zero tolerance for racist remarks.
• Beyond her Marine mother and "pickle man" father, Jacky has several sisters, including a younger one named Emma and an older sister called Sydney, who is in college.
• She's not a fan of dresses, preferring practical clothes for activities like sports, where she's known for her trash talk as a Little League catcher.
• While her immediate goal is often to get through the day, her love for making people laugh suggests a natural inclination towards performance or comedy, which she discovers through her journey.
• James Patterson's own experiences with a speech impediment as a child reportedly inspired Jacky's struggle with a stutter. However, some reviews have noted that the book's portrayal of stuttering and its "cure" might not be entirely accurate or sensitive.
• In the second book, Jacky is surprised to find herself popular with boys, even attracting interest from a former bully. These flings, however, don't lead to her future marriage.
• In the "in-universe present," an adult Jacky is a good parent to her daughters. She writes the "Jacky Ha-Ha" books, chronicling her 1990s childhood, specifically so her daughters can learn from her past mistakes.
• The "Jacky Ha-Ha" series is available in both traditional illustrated novels and graphic novel formats.