Deborah Ellis,
Jakeman
Fitzhenry & White, 2007

Rating: E*

It was cold and rainy for a Mother’s Day weekend. Jake and his sister, Shoshona, hurried along in the dark, afraid of missing their bus. Finally up ahead they could see a long line of kids standing beside an all-night drugstore. After recognizing a few familiar faces, they joined the end of the line.

Accompanied by a social worker, this group of young children were being bussed to a Women’s Correctional Institute to visit their imprisoned mothers or grandmothers. Most had lived in several foster homes, and these emotional visits only added to their traumatic lives. The prison guards were severe and unsympathetic as they thoroughly searched each child. The visiting area was cold and uncomfortable for both visitors and prisoners. This trip would turn out dramatically different, however, following a series of events on the bus ride home; and when Jakeman finally demonstrates his authoritative personality.

Deborah Ellis writes a heartrending story as she accurately depicts both the hopes and despair in these young children’s lives. For further emphasis, throughout the story, Jake, the protagonist, writes letters to the Governor, adding more details of their lives and asking the Governor each time to pardon his mother. He receives no answers, and eventually Jakeman leads the group to take action.

Jakeman is compellingly written, fast-paced, with appropriate choice of vocabulary. This story would be an excellent novel study, promoting many topics for discussion. Each character is well depicted, bringing this poignant tale alive and real, leaving the reader with much to think about. This book is highly recommended and should appeal to both intermediate readers and early secondary school students. It will be an important addition to the school resource centre library as well as a classroom collection.

Thematic Links: Children of Women Prisoners; Legal system; Drugs

Carolyn Cutt
Vol. 13, number 1
October 2007

*Rating System:
E - Excellent, enduring, everyone should see it!
G - Good, even great at times, generally useful!
A - Average, all right, has its applications.
P - Problematic, puzzling, poorly presented.