Paterson, K. (1980). Jacob Have I Loved. New York: Scholastic, Inc.
· Plot Summary
Sara Louise is the elder twin, but has always lived in the shadow of her sister, the beautiful Caroline. It is Caroline that possesses the perfect voice, the poise, and radiates in such a way that everyone adores her. She is the favorite of their parents and their grandmother, all of whom with Louise struggles to find a connection. When Caroline even seems to befriend Louise's crush, a much older man of seventy years, the line is drawn in the sand. It is Louise's grandmother that uses the Biblical quote from which the title of the novel comes, referring to the relationship between the twins Jacob and Esau. She alone takes note of the animosity Louise feels for her sister, even as her mind begins to deteriorate in ways that prompt her to lash out at Louise's mother. It is not until most of her family has gone, and Louise turns to medicine in the hills of Kentucky, that she finally truly comes into her own.
· Critical Evaluation
Excellent example of the way family members can sometimes turn against one another, even inadvertently, leaving certain others with a sense of deprivation and despair. The feelings Louise experiences for the Captain, while destined to not be returned, make for poignant reading.
· Reader’s Annotation
Wonderful historical fiction, without the need to become completely immersed in the past. Paterson brings the Chesapeake Bay area to life, and we can feel the sting of hurricane storms as she describes them. The relationships, while not always pretty, are genuine.
· Information about the author
Katherine Paterson has been award the Newberry Medal, and two National Book Awards. She was born in China, the daughter of missionaries, but received her master's degree in Richmond, VA.
· Genre
Fiction
· Curriculum Ties
WWII History
· Booktalking Ideas
First love and its effect on tween development.
Interactions between twins in literature.
· Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades 4-8/Ages 9-13
· Why did you include this book in the titles you selected?
I chose this title because it is considered a classic in the young adult category, but I never read it when I was in the age group. The content turned out to be much different than I expected, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
