Jacob Jacobs Gets Up Early

Lisa Arsenault is an elementary-school teacher in Ajax.

Eleven-year-old Jacob has long been regarded as a social misfit: he is
not good at sports, he is clumsy, he always sleeps in late, and he lives
in a dreamworld of his imagination. Tired of his reputation, one morning
while on a camping trip Jacob decides to get up early and finally engage
in a socially acceptable vacation activity—fishing. His adventures
begin when he inadvertently loosens a helium balloon from its mooring
and is borne aloft. He manages to extricate himself from that
predicament and discovers the rare white moose, missing from a
university pasture, that everyone is looking for. Then he gets trapped
in a deserted cabin, but frees himself through quick thinking, saves his
cousin’s life, and makes a friend.

Developing self-esteem is a major theme in this novel. Jacob’s
actions earn the respect of his family and society in general. His new
friend overcomes her physical handicap to participate fully in Jacob’s
adventure. While every adolescent will enjoy this story, it will have
particular appeal for any child who feels excluded from the group.
Jacob’s resourcefulness and courage are an inspiration, as is his
friend’s determination not to be excluded from active living.
Recommended.