Customer Reviews

Like Jake and Me

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A great read-aloud for grades pre-K through 2, this is a wonderful story of a boy just trying to establish a relationship with his rough and ready step-dad. Bonus sub-plot of mom pregnant with the step-dad's twins. Heart-warming ending.

Great story for all kids, but step-parent theme makes this of special interest to families involving a second marriage, step-siblings, or step-parent.

Wonderful illustrations, too.

I am 10 years old and read this book at school. It is a very good book and the story is easy to read. It teaches how a new family can come together.

A Newbery Honor Book, but also a picture book. A boy and his stepfather grow closer when they realize they are more alike than they thought. Not a story you often run across in children's books.

Overall Review: Like Jake and Me is a fabulous example of a book that says a lot with very few words. Little Alex is trying to help his step-father, Jake, but is usually brushed off with that age-old phrase, "Maybe another time." Then comes a moment in time when Alex helps Jake--in this instance, Alex realizes that even a grown man and a `real' cowboy can have fears that seem just as simple as his own, and Jake realizes that Alex is a person, too. We see a very sweet bonding moment between a boy and a man who are trying to form a new family. It is very perceptive for such a short book, and deserves multiple readings to discover the many layers. For a child, it's a fun story of a boy helping a man find a spider. For an adult, it's a touching reminder of those moments where we learn from and grow closer to our children. Overall rating is 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Content Review:

PROFANITY: None

VIOLENCE: None

SEXUAL CONTENT: None

MATURE THEMES: Very Mild

RECOMMENDED AGE GROUP: 9+

This sweet little book has no profanity, no violence, and no sexual content. One character undresses piece by piece searching for a poisonous spider, and there is a picture, but there are strategically placed hats and shadows, so nothing is seen; it is rather humorous. The themes are very mild and include overcoming your fears, and realizing that whether adult or child, we are not all that different on the inside. Like Jake and Me is written for very young readers, and is most definitely a Squeaky Clean Read for ages 9+!

This review was written by Emily
A Squeaky Clean Reads Book Reviewer
This book was sent to Squeaky Clean Reads by Yearling for a review

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