Jake's Tower [Paperback]

Elizabeth Laird (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 12, 2002 | Age Level: 9 and up

Jake is an unhappy little boy whose dream is to live in a tower, protected by a moat and a drawbridge. His room would be at the tower's very top, where he would always be safe and happy. In real life, Jake is never safe and he's seldom happy. He is often beaten by his mother's boyfriend, and his real father is somewhere far away. All Jake knows is that his real father gave him a cuddle and a fluffy duck on the day he was born, then went away, never to return. But that was many years ago. Finally, life becomes so unbearable for both Jake and his mother that they run away, seeking protection at the home of a formidable grandmother who has always refused to acknowledge Jake's existence. Jake's Tower is a powerful and realistic story for young readers that recounts a child's painful journey from despair to hope and love. (Ages 9-12)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-7-Jake and his mother live with her abusive boyfriend in a lower-middle-class British town. Jake often bears the brunt of Steve's uncontrollable anger, and escapes by dreaming of his father, who, at 16, abandoned Jake's teenaged mother, Marie. He is able to cope until he discovers that his mother is pregnant, and his fears turn to protecting his unborn sibling. One last beating causes Marie to seek help from his father's mother, who had denied that her son got Marie pregnant. Jake and his mother are believable characters, and the beginning of the book conveys the tension and terror of living with abuse. The plot, however, becomes predictable and loses immediacy after Jake and Marie move in with his grandmother. The story ends hopefully, and readers know that Jake will recover and develop a relationship with his newly discovered father. The entire reading experience lacks the mesmerizing hold of Carolyn Coman's What Jamie Saw (Front Street, 1995), making it an additional purchase.
Jennifer Ralston, Harford County Public Library, Belcamp, MD
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Back Cover

Jake is an unhappy boy whose dream is to live in a tower, protected by a moat and a drawbridge. His room would be at the tower?s very top, where he would always be safe and happy. In real life, Jake is never safe and he?s seldom happy. He is badly treated by his mother?s boyfriend, and his real father is somewhere far away. All Jake knows is that his real father gave him a cuddle and a fluffy duck on the day he was born, then went away, never to return. But that was many years ago. Now, life becomes so unbearable for both Jake and his mom that they run away, seeking protection at the home of a formidable grandmother who has always refused to acknowledge Jake?s existence.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 154 pages
• Publisher: Barron's Educational Series (July 12, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764122312
• ISBN-13: 978-0764122316
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,182,659 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars !!! Okay... !!!, June 6, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Jake's Tower (Paperback)

"Jake's Tower" is a book about a young boy who is physically harassed by his stepfather. Though this book is supposedly for 'younger readers' it is also interesting for 'teen readers' because some of the concepts are easier to understand if you are a bit older. Overall, a good book.