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Jacob Have I Loved

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1980

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Book Brief

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Katherine Paterson

Jacob Have I Loved

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1980
Book Details
Pages

256

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Rass Island, Maryland • 1940s

Publication Year

1980

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

12-16 years

Lexile Level

880L

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Super Short Summary

Jacob Have I Loved by Katherine Paterson is a 1940s coming-of-age novel about Sara Louise Bradshaw, a teenager navigating a difficult relationship with her twin sister Caroline on a crab-fishing island in Chesapeake Bay. Facing sibling rivalry and struggles with faith, Louise seeks her own identity and purpose while grappling with family and community expectations. The novel includes a depiction of a 14-year-old girl developing romantic feelings for an older man.

Melancholic

Contemplative

Bittersweet

Emotional

Nostalgic

Reviews & Readership

4.1

35,819 ratings

60%

Loved it

27%

Mixed feelings

13%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Katherine Paterson's Jacob Have I Loved is highly praised for its complex characters and emotional depth, exploring sibling rivalry and self-discovery. Critics appreciate its evocative prose and rich setting but note some predictable plot elements. Overall, the novel is lauded for its thoughtful and nuanced portrayal of adolescence.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Jacob Have I Loved?

Readers who relish coming-of-age tales with deep emotional journeys, such as in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee or A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith, will appreciate Katherine Paterson's Jacob Have I Loved. This novel speaks to those who enjoy complex sibling dynamics and rich, introspective narratives.

4.1

35,819 ratings

60%

Loved it

27%

Mixed feelings

13%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

256

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Rass Island, Maryland • 1940s

Publication Year

1980

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

12-16 years

Lexile Level

880L

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