Jake's Tower

by Elizabeth Laird

In real life, Jake is never safe. He lives in constant fear of his mother's violent boyfriend. But in his imaginary tower he can dream up his own father - the stranger who gave him a cuddle and a fluffy duck the day he was born and went away for ever. Jake doesn't believe dreams ever come true. But sometimes they do.

Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, Childrens, Fiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published July 5, 2002

About the author

Laird was born in New Zealand in 1943, the fourth of five children. Her father was a ship's surgeon; both he and Laird's mother were Scottish. In 1945, Laird and her family returned to Britain and she grew up in South London, where she was educated at Croydon High School.
When she was eighteen, Laird started teaching at a school in Malaysia. She decided to continue her adventurous life, even though she was bitten by a poisonous snake and went down with typhoid.

After attending the university in Bristol, Laird began teaching English in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. She and a friend would hire mules and go into remote areas in the holidays.

After a while at Edinburgh University, Laird worked in India for a summer. During travel, she met her future husband, David McDowall, who she said was very kind to her when she was airsick on a plane. The couple were married in 1975 and have two sons, Angus and William.

Laird has also visited Iraq and Lebanon. She claims to dislike snakes, porridge and being cold but enjoys very dark chocolate, Mozart, reading and playing the violin in the Iraq Symphony Orchestra.

She currently lives in Richmond, London with her husband.

Reviews

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jake has lived with his mother and her abusive boyfriend for most of his life. As the abuse gets worse, Jake starts to imagine a special tower where he, his mother, and his real father would live. One night, when the abuse gets out of hand, Jake's mother packs their bags and takes them to a most unexpected place.

Jake's Tower shows a family in crisis and the desperation that causes people to make difficult choices. The characters of Jake and his mother are fairly well developed as we feel the pain and anxiety they both go through in order to change the pattern of abuse in their lives. Other characters in the story are less well developed, leaving a bit of a hole in the story, but overall, Jake's Tower is a realistic rendition of living life in the midst of abuse.

[Ayu Ikhwani · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best children's book I've ever come across.

At first I was disappointed seeing that it was more a novella than a full grown novel, but then again, the 'thickness' of the book should've tipped me off, right. This was before I was aware it was a children's book but after that, I realized it was just nice =)

Its about Jake, who suffers abuse at the hands of his stepdad. His mother prefers to pretend she doesn't notice anything, but still tries to comfort him whenever his stepdad is away.

To forget about the beatings, Jake imagine his own tower, which description he adds to everyday. One there'd be gold and silver apples and pears so he won't go hungry, the next day he'd add a moat so his stepdad can't come near. In reality, his current 'tower' is just a small hole at the side of the road.

Its written from the point of view of Jake, which is even more heart breaking since he's just a kid.

Its not your normal fairytale book for kids, but its not that graphic that you'd throw it far away as possible from your kids. It gives hope, and compassion to those going through this kind of abuse. Definitely a keep!

[Lucy Downward · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book was amazing. Someone else who read it said that it is a “realistic and bluntly honest account” and I couldn’t agree more.
I read it and it just felt like real life- I didn’t feel that there was extra drama to make it worse or better. It was just honest.
Jake, the main character, seemed like a proper boy who had child-like dreams whenever being beaten by his stepdad and dreamed of places that took him away from the violence. This book wasn’t about the social workers or professionals it was like reading an account of real life and being a part of the family.

A very worthy read and I think very eye opening for some. For example why some mothers can’t leave abusive partners and that’s subtly written throughout this book too.

I think everyone should read this as it can be a quite educational and interesting book to read.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

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[Jasmine · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was great!

[Safa · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 10 year old brother recommended me this book.
I thought it was be a stupid kids book but...its not. It was such a great book I'm shocked my brother read it.

[Kathleen McKim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a suitable choice for a real coming of age novel for a Grade 6 or 7 class. It may be quite realistic to some students who come from abusive homes, so teachers/librarians might want to be sensitive to that. It is, however, a story told with accuracy and realism. Some might say things are a bit too tidy in the end to be true; however, the protagonist's growth is suitable for the length of the novel, the characters are well-developed and memorable. I would not hesitate to recommend this book to a student.

[Cat {Pemberley and Beyond} · Rating 5 out of 5]

The juxtaposition of the terror of Jake's reality with the escapism of his imaginary world was painful and in some ways saddening.

Even after a 'happy' ending, Jake realises that, '[t]he fear stays in your head. It comes back to you even when things are fine, in the middle of the day, when you least expect it... I'm afraid he'll be in my head forever'.

Really well written.

[Sylvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of Jake, who's coping as best he can with severe abuse and neglect from his mother and stepfather. An well written eye-opener for sure, which leads to a better understanding of family violence.

[Sage · Rating 5 out of 5]

I spent a long time trying to find this book. My teacher read it to the class, but it was heavily censored as it was deemed unsuitable for 10-11 year old children to read. I forgot about it for a while before I remembered the book and that I was finally old enough to read it. I searched and searched till I found the name, and read the book immediately.

Reading it was like getting closure. It’s a good book, although it’s a novella and i would have liked it to be longer; and i know 10 year old me is relieved that Jake is finally safe from his rotten stepdad.

[Leah Probert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another kids book I think but my mam read it and gave it to me, nice heartwarming lil book

[Norhayati · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short book and I love reading it. It is a good book that addresses real life issues such as teenage pregnancy, child abuse etc.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

All Jake has from his father is a little yellow ducky that he gave Jake in the hospital right after he was born. But Jake clings to the hope that one day his father will want to see him again. Life with his stepfather, Steve, is a nightmare. After a very severe beating, Jake even thinks about stepping in front of a train to be free of his life. But then he remembers the unborn brother or sister his Mom is carrying - who is going to protect the baby from Steve? But Jake's Mom has had enough and is determined to get help from Mrs. Judd (Jake's grandmother who had never accepted that Jake is really a Judd). But when they show up at her door and she sees how much Jake looks like her son, she takes them in and helps them get on their feet.

[belle woodhouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh. My. God.
This is a book all young people NEED to read.
It completely opens your eyes to what others are going through.

I understand it is a children’s book but it’s so insightful! I would’ve liked to have heard more about Jakes mum but 🤷🏼‍♀️ you can’t have it all!

This was a really lovely book, one i think needs more recognition!

If you liked my review please follow me on instagram @belle._andthebooks._

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another one of those "hard to read" contemporary fiction titles because you know there are kids out there who are going through the same kind of neglect and severe abuse that Jake is. Very British, but you finish with a better understanding of family violence.

[Fin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is wonderfully well-written.Jakes creates his own little perfect world where he dreams and lives, protected from the cruel world he lives in. The suspense created is incredibly entertaining and you never know how the characters are going to raect.
I LOVED it.

[gấu · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice and well-written children book about how cruelly violence is stuck with childhood which is meant to be cheerful, happy, full of laughter but not bruises.

[Maria Longley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jake invents his perfect home, a tall tower with a drawbridge, to escape from his reality of violence in the home into his head. It's not a comfortable read at all but there is hope.

[Shlok Pandey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is really good with a strong protagonist. Great topic, yet I did not like Elizabeth Laird's this piece of work as much as I liked her other books.