Jacob Have I Loved

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Summary: One of my All-time favorites.
Review: how many years ago did I read this book--whenever it first came out in hardback. I must have been a teenagers myself then. I loved it and have been recommending it to students for years. It's especially good for those who are having problems with siblings or best friends. It gives them a new perspective on others and teaches them ways to overcome their differences. I think I'll reread it this year, myself.

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Summary: I very much enjoyed this book.
Review: I'm only ten, but I have read this book and enjoyed it very much. I read the other reviews, and the one that I was most surprised at was one that's title was "Inappropriate for Children". I was so surprised, I almost fell out of my chair! That person was so wrong! It has everything I like in a book. Adventure, romance, and rivalry. This is my summer reading, and I am very fast reader. I have read other books, but this rates as one of my top ten.

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Summary: I can relate very well to this book!
Review: I first picked up this book from the retirment home where my grandmother lives. It sat in my bookcase for about a year before I read it. I can't believe I missed out on it for so long! I started reading it and could not stop. It is a realistic book that portrays the emotions of a sibling that feels inadequate very truthfully. It just broke me. I think the greatest part of it was the fact that she did not go crying to her parents about her feelings and they did not console her with promises that everything would become much better for her. Sarah Louise was a real person to me. She acted human and not idealistic.

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Summary: One of the best books in my life!
Review: Jacob have I loved is one of the best books that i have ever read. it's an example of how jelousy and pure hatred can actually bloom into happiness and love. i think Caroline was a little dim-witted by not knowing how she hurt her twin sister, or maybe she enjoyed it so much, that she really didn't care. After all, she was the "enlightened" one. As for Grandma, she was too cold hearted and to hypocritical. Well, i won't tell you too much about the story b/c I hope you read it first to see what it's about. I do think that some parts are very strange but still, that's how life works sincerely, Pilar

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: I really like this book. It shows the differences between Sara Louise and Caroline. Sara Louise is always the one behind, the second, while Caroline is the light of people's life, with people sacrificing themselves for her. I am glad that Sara Louise finally leaves Rass Island, 'separated from the long, long shadow of my twin'.

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Summary: This book had a message, but it wasn't for me!
Review: Some people may have liked this book, but I didn't! One of my teachers didn't even like this book! I go to a Christian school and we had to read this book, but it was a waste of time to me.

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Summary: Unsuitable for children.
Review: Filled with symbolism and bible passages, this book will not appeal to children. It will bore, not entertain. Even though this book won the Newbery Award (for children), it is more like the type of book you would read in fulfillment of a high school English course. Unlike past winners of the award (example: "A Wrinkle in Time"), this mature novel written in deceptively simple language is NOT FOR CHILDREN. I repeat: it is not for children. Perhaps, the superficial message may be to thwart sibling rivalry. However, "Jacob Have I Loved" speaks to me of personal choice in determining what life is to hold for us...and also, to understand fully the choices made by our loved ones. There are so many different ways to analyze this book that I think most children won't appreciate it. I know I wouldn't.

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful book
Review: Sarah Louise was always hidden in her twin sister's shadow. Caroline was a gifted singer, pianist, and was gifted in many other areas also. Sarah Louise fought for her parents affection which was was often stolen by her sister. I have always felt that I have lurked in my sister's shadow a bit so this book was really siezed my attention. You MUST read this book if you have ever felt that you live in a sibling's shadow. The author writes this book so it is descriptive but it doesn't bore you with details, which many authors have a problem with. She wrote it in such a way that made you feel that you were Sarah Louise. I defintely recommend this book for anyone to read.

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Summary: This book made me evaluate myself--the best kind of book!
Review: Jacob, Have I Loved was such a thought-provoking, soul-searching, identity-finder, that could do nothing but love it. It brought me back to my adolescent years and how I too searched to find myself away from my friends, family, and community. It's a very hard thing to do, especially for a twin. As I look forward to secondary teaching career, this book is definitely one I would give to middle school children as it will help them look inside themselves as Louise did. I really really enjoyed that book and I'm sure most everyone that reads it does too.

Rating:
Summary: A powerful drama...
Review: "Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated." This quote from Romans 9:13 represents the crux of the novel, which makes the plot that much more ironic. Although the speaker is God, and therefore makes Sara Louise feel unloved and shunned by everyone, her grandmother was just "picking and choosing" the verse. Had she read the surrounding verses, she would have found that God did not hate the elder and prefer the younger; he spoke of other things that Esau had done to displease him which had nothing to do with being the elder. Sara Louise is a character who is very easy to relate to, especially to those who have younger brothers and/or sisters who appear to get away with everything. I highly recommend this book to any child who feels neglected or lost in the shuffle...it is truly a book that shows what happens when things come full circle.