Finest Kind [Hardcover]

Lea Wait (Author)

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Product Details

Hardcover: 256 pages
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books; 1 edition (Oct 10 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1416909524
ISBN-13: 978-1416909521
Product Dimensions: 21.7 x 14.8 x 2.4 cm
Shipping Weight: 318 g

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Product Description

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-8–Jake's father has lost his job and savings in the economic panic of 1837. The family leaves its comfortable Boston surroundings and takes up residence in a dingy farmhouse in Wiscasset, ME, where the 12-year-old finds himself responsible for the household. With his father working as a lumberman and his mother caring for his younger brother, who has cerebral palsy, Jake carries the additional burden of keeping his sibling's existence a secret. He soon learns to trust his instincts and finds help and support from social outcasts. Granny McPherson, deemed a witch because of her herbal remedies; Nabby McCord, left to care for her younger siblings due to her alcoholic mother and seafaring father; and Simon, the kind, dim-witted handyman, help showcase the superstitious attitude toward differences that prevailed during this period. Although Jake at times appears too altruistic and resilient, he is still a believable protagonist. The native colloquialisms, use of actual people and events, and well-researched historical information keep the evenly paced plot appealing and the ending uplifting. Ben Mikaelsen's Petey (Hyperion, 1998), Katherine Paterson's Jip, His Story (Lodestar, 1996), and Cynthia DeFelice's The Apprenticeship of Lucas Whitaker (Farrar, 1996) offer more in-depth pictures of some of the atrocities directed at those who are considered different. Wait's forthright tone and clear writing make this novel accessible to a wide audience.–D. Maria LaRocco, Cuyahoga Public Library, Strongsville, OH
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

It's 1838, and 12-year-old Jake Webber must make a difficult move from Maine to Boston after his father loses his job. Their new home is shabby and isolated, and their new life is a far cry from their former privileged one. Worse, Dad's new logging job keeps him away from home, leaving Jake to care for his mother and disabled younger brother, Frankie, who his parents keep secret, fearing public rejection. It's a heavy burden, but with unexpected support from townsfolk, including outcast healer Granny McPherson and neighbor Nabby, who has family burdens of her own, Jake finds courage, inner strength, and a new appreciation of family and friendships. Wait's prose is straightforward, the story is filled with diverse characters and period details, and Jake is an appealing, dimensional protagonist, whose challenges are sympathetically portrayed. An author's note provides background on the times and place. Shelle Rosenfeld
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Inside This Book (Learn More)

Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com ^(beta)

Amazon.com: 4.3 out of 5 stars (7 customer reviews)

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Hiding Secrets within a Fanily, Feb 22 2007

By Michelle Rup "missmickey" - Published on Amazon.com

Ce commentaire est de: Finest Kind (Hardcover)

Jake Webber moves from Boston with his parents. Their fortunate life dissolved due to the Panic of 1837. Their cousin promises Jake father a job at the mill in town and find them a dilapidated home to live in. Jake meets some people in the area and attempts to make sure he, his mother and brother with severe cerebral palsy to eat while his father lives in town to work. Jake learns much about getting food and preparing extras for the winter. The occurrences during the events of the book indicate Jake to be a brave and intelligent young man.

The story relates about the new boy in the area and hiding secrets within a family. Due to others in Boston being frightened and misunderstandings about Jake's brother, the family hides the brother from others. The mother handles the disabled boy overwhelmed by many seizures mostly by herself but with some assistance from Jake. Many children born with disabilities were hidden during this era and throughout history.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for Adults, too!, Feb 13 2007

By K. van Rooyen "Kmarie" - Published on Amazon.com

Ce commentaire est de: Finest Kind (Hardcover)

Having a special needs child myself, I could relate a lot to this book. It was an interesting read, as it is historical, and fast yet not TOO fast. I haven't read a YA book in years, so this was great to read. Very well written. Thoroughly enjoyed this book! Gorgeous cover, too.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Moving and engaging historical fiction, Jan 14 2007

By Nathaniel Lachenmeyer - Published on Amazon.com

Ce commentaire est de: Finest Kind (Hardcover)

This is the best kind of historical fiction--convincing, compelling, and enlightening. The reader comes away, not only with a better understanding of mid-19th century American life, but also a better understanding and appreciation of life today. Highly recommended.

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 7 reviews 4.3 out of 5 stars