Module 4: Jacob Have I Loved

Paterson, K. (1980). Jacob have I loved. New York, NY: Harper Collins.

Summary

Sara Louise is the least favored of twin girls growing up on an island in the Chesapeake Bay during World War II. She is more of a tomboy, helping her father with fishing and crabbing while her sister excels in singing, eventually going to Julliard on scholarship. Growing up, Sara Louise is jealous of her sister and can't understand why she doesn't get the praise that Caroline gets. She resents the attention showered on her sister and feels left out. Eventually, as an adult, Sara Louise moves away and finally comes into her own person.

Worth Another Cup of Tea?

This is a good book, although I felt it dragged at times. There is a lot to the book however and definitely worth reading.

Reviews

1981 Newbery Award

Katherine Paterson's acclaimed novel (HarperCollins, 1980) tells of Sara Louise, a girl with a twin so beautiful, talented, and charming that Sara can find no real place or identity for herself either with her family or on the small island in the Chesapeake Bay which is her home. While Sara Louise spends her days in the shadows helping her father with the crabs and oysters that are their livelihood, Caroline becomes a star performer in island concerts, wins a scholarship to Julliard, and eventually claims Sara Louise's fishing buddy as her adoring fiancee. Set during World War II, the story builds slowly to a powerful and believable climax in which Sara Louise realizes that she can come out of the shadows by leaving her family and the island behind. Narrator Christina Moore is more than equal to the difficult task of telling the story from Sara Louise's viewpoint by sounding resentful at times, but never resorting to an unbroken bitterness that would become grating. Her Sara Louise is understandably human with energy, intelligence, and wit that causes listeners to side with and believe in her. The island setting has more than its share of salty, Bible pounding characters, and Moore is able to capture them. All libraries will benefit from owning this outstanding telling of a remarkable tale.--School Library Journal, October, 1998.

Set in the 1940s on an island in the Chesapeake Bay, this novel allows the reader to grow with Louise Bradshaw as she develops from an angry, bitter, and jealous twin sister to an emotionally healthy adult. Characterization, plot, setting, and theme are interwoven to make this a rich literary experience.--Booklist, March, 1990

In The Library

This is a great book for late middle school and high school. Girls especially will enjoy this story of growing up in the shadow of a sibling, striving for parents' attention.