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My Friend Jacob
A young boy tells about Jacob, who, though older and mentally slower, helps him a lot and is his very best friend.
- GenresFriendship
32 pages, Hardcover
First published April 17, 1980
2 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
About the author
Lucille Clifton
82 books439 followersLucille Clifton was an American poet, writer, and educator from New York. Common topics in her poetry include the celebration of her African American heritage, and feminist themes, with particular emphasis on the female body.
She was the first person in her family to finish high school and attend college. She started Howard University on scholarship as a drama major but lost the scholarship two years later.
Thus began her writing career.
Good Times, her first book of poems, was published in 1969. She has since been nominated twice for the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry and has been honored as Maryland's Poet Laureate.
Ms. Clifton's foray into writing for children began with Some of the Days of Everett Anderson, published in 1970.
In 1976, Generations: A Memoir was published. In 2000, she won the National Book Award for Poetry, for her work "Poems Seven".
From 1985 to 1989, Clifton was a professor of literature and creative writing at the University of California, Santa Cruz. She was Distinguished Professor of Humanities at St. Mary's College of Maryland. From 1995 to 1999, she was a visiting professor at Columbia University. In 2006, she was a fellow at Dartmouth College.
Clifton received the Robert Frost Medal for lifetime achievement posthumously, from the Poetry Society of America.
She was the first person in her family to finish high school and attend college. She started Howard University on scholarship as a drama major but lost the scholarship two years later.
Thus began her writing career.
Good Times, her first book of poems, was published in 1969. She has since been nominated twice for the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry and has been honored as Maryland's Poet Laureate.
Ms. Clifton's foray into writing for children began with Some of the Days of Everett Anderson, published in 1970.
In 1976, Generations: A Memoir was published. In 2000, she won the National Book Award for Poetry, for her work "Poems Seven".
From 1985 to 1989, Clifton was a professor of literature and creative writing at the University of California, Santa Cruz. She was Distinguished Professor of Humanities at St. Mary's College of Maryland. From 1995 to 1999, she was a visiting professor at Columbia University. In 2006, she was a fellow at Dartmouth College.
Clifton received the Robert Frost Medal for lifetime achievement posthumously, from the Poetry Society of America.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 3, 2008
Summary: Sam, the narrator, is friends with a boy named Jacob. Jacob is seventeen and is mentally challenged. Jacob and Sam have a lot of fun together. They help each other out in life. Sam tries to teach Jacob how to knock on doors. After some failed attempts, Jacob finally understands and knocks before entering.
Uses: independent reading for early readers, possibly read aloud to primary grades
Social issues: special needs children, accepting those who are different
Other: The text is quite old (copyrighted in 1980), but the story is really good and introduces special needs children to the students.
Uses: independent reading for early readers, possibly read aloud to primary grades
Social issues: special needs children, accepting those who are different
Other: The text is quite old (copyrighted in 1980), but the story is really good and introduces special needs children to the students.
May 12, 2021
The story of “My Friend Jacob,” hits a little close to home. Growing up, there was a family friend that was deaf, who would a lot of the other kids would make fun of. As we know, kids can be pretty mean without trying. I always tried to talk and play with him, because I knew it didn’t feel good to be laughed at. Whenever I passed there house and saw him on the porch I smiled and went over to see him. Whenever I would talk, I would use a lot of hand signals, because I didn’t know about sign language back then, and he understood me a little. That was our way of communicating, so I can understand definitely understand their friendship. Even when their mom’s didn’t think hang with Jacob was a good idea anymore, Sam stood by his side and taught him as much as he could.
August 12, 2013
Jacob and Sam are neighbors and absolutely best friends. Like best friends do, they help each other. Sam, who is 8, helps Jacob, who is 17 remember to knock before entering and look both ways to cross the street. Jacob teaches Sam how to play basketball and helps him carry groceries back from the market for their parents. They really are the best of friends, despite their age difference, and mental capacity. The story is told from Sam’s point of view, he shares with readers who much he enjoys Jacob and all that they do for each other. Sam never mentions that Jacob has a mental disability. To me, Sam sees Jacob as just Jacob, who doesn’t need to be labeled. I think mature readers will understand that Jacob is different, but teachers and parents may need to discuss with younger readers the two boys’ characteristics. In fact, the lack of information given about Jacob naturally leads to discussion. I was curious to find out how Jacob would be portrayed in this work published in 1980. His disability isn’t addressed, but is there, because that is just a part of Jacob: all the pieces that make him whole.
April 13, 2009
Nice pencil drawings and a sweet story.
February 23, 2013
iddi
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2016
Sweet story about a young boy who is best friends with a mentally challenged older boy.
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May 10, 2018AU
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews