Marble Town

by Kathleen M. Jacobs

Marble Town tells the story of thirteen-year-old Cole Atwater whose mother was killed in an automobile accident when he was ten. Cole questions whether or not he will follow in the destructive footsteps of his best friend, cling to his childhood sweetheart, become further distant from his grieving father, or trust himself. Through mysterious clues left throughout the historic cemetery his mother tended, the story becomes one of hope, healing, and redemption.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

110 pages, Paperback

Published February 1, 2017

Reviews

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marble Town is a page turner! I read this book quickly and completely wondering what would happen next, how the story would be resolved, what was truly inside that church. Author Kathy Jacobs weaves her story with such rich imagery that you feel like you’re there in the cemetery, like you are also as torn and confused as Cole is. I love the rich detail, the grave stones, and the owl. But even more than the imagery and symbolism at work on these pages, I love the themes of acceptance, redemption, and love. By the end of this mystery, Cole has truly transformed, grown, expanded his horizons. And in a world like where we live today, middle-grade readers need these stories that will empower themselves to make positive, personal changes. These messages of hope are what I love best about Jacobs’s stories. I hope she writes many many more.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading has been taking me quite some time lately. While a short and intriguing tale, this book ultimately took me months to read. I started a number of books during quarantine and very few have been touched since and even fewer have been finished. After bringing this one back and forth with me to work to read occasionally on breaks, I finally was able to complete it!

As a Mawrtyr, I can't resist a book with an owl on the cover. When the author offered free books to educators on IG, I knew I had to have this one! I've purchased and read a number of her other books and have received another free book from her in the past, she is very generous.

This upper middle grade novel sports one of the most intriguing covers I've come across for this genre! The cover art and title help weave the bigger picture of the book, focusing around death, feeling the presence of being observed, and cemeteries. Although particularly appropriate to read in the upcoming autumnal season, I think this not too spooky tale can be appreciated any time of the year.

Jacobs does a fantastic job at capturing culture, the setting familiar to her. She also creates characters that are very unique and eclectic. At times I struggled with the dialogue, as it seems unlikely for a young teen to use, but then I remembered how my friends and I played with languages and dialogue at that age and it doesn't seem so far-fetched. What I really love about this book is that it doesn't shy away from truly tough situations and taboo behaviors expected to be found among children in their early teens, especially those who have experienced trauma. It doesn't dwell on these problems, nor does it judge behaviors, but presents the life goes on model that teaches the reader to push through their pains and failings and keep moving forward.

[Roxann · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the cover: Marble Town tells the story of thirteen-year-old Cole Atwater whose mother was killed in an automobile accident when he was ten. Cole questions whether or not he will follow in the destructive footsteps of his best friend, cling to his childhood sweetheart, become further distant from his grieving father, or trust himself. Through mysterious clues left throughout the historic cemetery his mother tended, the story becomes one of hope, healing, and redemption.

I received the book for free through Goodreads Giveaways.

I enjoyed this little mystery. I love going to old cemeteries and looking around-picking up flowers that have fallen over, etc. Death is tragic for anyone to deal with especially a child. Cole, continues to walk through an old cemetery that he and his mother walked through many times. As he continues to grieve for her, he begins to find clues in the cemetery. This mystery and the journey Cole takes makes this an excellent book. It was a great read on its own and would be a wonderful read to help a young child going through grief. I would recommend this book.

[Marcy Reads on IG · Rating 5 out of 5]

”Ya know, no one is ever ours. We just think they are. We gets just a tad bit selfish, a tad bit greedy, with those we love.” -Joe

What an endearing little novella. If there was every a story to bring out every single emotion in me, it’s this one!

Here we follow 13 year old Cole as he tells the story of loosing his mother at the tender age of 10. We follow his grieving process of missing his mother, of learning to let go and moving on. There is a mystery element to it that keeps you wondering. There are some religious aspects to the story but very well done. Overall it is sweet, sad, fun, whimsical and dark all in one. This story had me laughing, sighing and sobbing in a short span of 2 hours!

I highly recommend.

Thank you so much to the author for providing me a copy for an honest review.

[Elysa (Elysa_reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book through a giveaway hosted by the author on instagram. I had not read anything by her before and I must say I really enjoyed her writing style. This book focuses on a young boy and his journey through the grief caused by losing his mom. It is a relatively short book but it out so much emotion and depth in those pages. I lost my grandmother in January and parts of this book resonated so much of what I am going through. It's well written and so beautiful. I definitely recommend it, especially if you are struggling with a loss. Thank you to Kathleen Jacobs. Your giveaway was so nice and the extra little touches sent with the book were lovely. Even though I won this book my review is honest and my own.

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this mystery read! I have always loved old cemeteries and the mysteries of the previous lives that they hold. The young Cole finds his self and regains his confidence, after the death of his own mother by visiting the cemeteries that once was such a big part of her life. Author Kathy Jacobs takes you on this mysterious journey with Cole as he chooses what his direction will be in life. The supporting characters give this book a depth on how important our relationships are with family and friends during grief. The cover of this book in itself is amazing. The significance of owls throughout this book is just one more detail that the author uses to plunge this read in to magnificent.

[Lyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice little story about a boy healing after his mother's death - but I'm not sure what audience it's intended for. It seems like it would be for middle-school aged kids, especially since that's Cole's age, but Cole, and the entire book's writing, seem way too mature for that. That being said, I also felt like the story was missing something - the formal writing made it feel like it would be a much longer story, while in reality it only took about an hour to read. More details would have been nice, but I don't think reading it was a waste. It was a nice story, I just think there should have been more to it.
Note: I received this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways.

[Tori (Book Chick) · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 13 year old daughter and I often read books together. This time we read Marble Town by Kathleen M. Jacobs. This was a great story of the different pains of grief- how everyone travels the road of grief and healing differently. I loved the quotes from Cole's mother throughout the book. "Hairline cracks" is a beautiful way to describe the affect grief has on your heart. Beautiful imagery...

*This book could be read by middle school age children, but the writing is mature enough for an adult to enjoy it as well.

[Charca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a nice mystery read. I believe that young people would enjoy this book as much as I did. It talks about the death of one's mother, which on its own is already tragic, but it's also mixed with some mystery as thirteen-year old Cole, walks through the cemetery his mom and him used to walk at and finds some clues. The book also shows how important it is to surround yourself with family and other people to help with the grieving process. The character development was written well and the author again wrote a short beautiful mystery book full of symbolism and descriptive words.

[Heather Highley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cue the tears and fears! What a delightful read. The story of Cole's love and loss starts out as a spooky, on-the-edge-of-your-seat thrilling tale. The more you dive into the book the more you fall in love with the characters. The pages reveal a beautifully depicted story of loss, grief, and healing. Marble Town is full of wonder and had me crying like a baby. Somewhat different from Kathleen's other books I've read. Yet, the same picturesque descriptions that transport you to the very setting you're reading about. Bravo Kathleen! My favorite thus far!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this story Cole had to deal with his mother's death.It is hard to go on and act like things are okay when they are not.He and his Dad get along well enough to survive the everyday things but talking things out is difficult.Cole is lucky to have Liz as a friend and she helps him see that it is good when his dad finds someone too to make him happy again.The story involved a lot of heart, some mystery and it captures your attention well.

[Kristyn (basicbookmomma) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book about a 13 year old boy who lost his mother. He is now trying to figure out how to continue in life without her. This was a very quick read for me. I finished it in 3 hours. It was a page turner, sad, cute, and happy all at once. This was something real and true. It takes you inside the mind of a kid trying to find his way. What a great book!!

This book was given to me by the author Kathleen Jacobs all opinions are my own and I am honored to have read this!

[Selena · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bittersweet story of a mother and son's bond. Cole's mother passes away and this is the sad yet sweet story of how Cole deals with his loss and what it takes for him to move forward. There is a bit of mystery with this story. Also shows how Cole's father deals with his loss compared to his son. Beautiful story telling!

[John Jacobs · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read for today. Truly a book that touches you as you read each chapter and you experience every emotion, as you journey with Cole.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story of grief and hope that a brighter day will shine again. Thank you Kathleen M. Jacobs for writing this lovely account. ❤️

[Laura Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was perfect for "spooky" October. While it's not out-and-out scary, much of the story takes place in a graveyard. On occasion, the protagonist felt older than his early teenage years (and did things like drank his parents alcohol) but this story had a lot of heart, and Jacob's descriptions and strong sense of place are always fascinating.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

13-year old Cole Atwater must come to terms with the sudden loss of his mother. A series of mysterious clues found in the cemetery his mother frequented during life, seem to offer Cole a way to understand his grief.

This book shares a very atmospheric and beautiful story of loss, grief, and the enduring power of love. I very much enjoyed Cole’s sensitive personality and the relationships between Cole and both his mother and father. The cemetery setting leaps from the pages through Jacobs’s masterful descriptions of Cole and his mother tending the plots and grave markers. I wish the story was a little longer, or Cole’s character was a little more developed to form a lasting emotional connection. I also think this might be better marketed as young adult due to the maturity of the characters and the underage drinking. Marble Town is a very lovely story about topics too frequently ignored or glosses over in children’s literature.

I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Michelle Richar · Rating 2 out of 5]

"What you are really after is the intangible thing behind every tangible prize."

This is a hard review to write, because I absolutely adored Honeysuckle Holiday and because Kathleen has been so kind by sharing her stories with me. However, for the sake of an honest review, I must say that Marble Town was not my favorite work by Jacobs. The basis for a great story is definitely there, but I think it needed some more work. The writing, though beautiful as always, seemed to me scattered and sometimes confusing. Perhaps a diary format would have suited Cole's musings better. I think the book needed to be longer to allow for more character development and deeper exploration of the themes that were introduced. Jacobs has the gift of writing gorgeous prose and creating engaging themes in her works - this one just needed a little bit more, for me at least!

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being 13 is a tough time for any child, but for Cole it is especially tough. He is having trouble accepting the death of his mother who had died three years earlier in a car accident. Shortly after her death, he started on a destructive path with friend, but his father's help made him stop to think if this was really what he wanted. As he describes his everyday existence and the grief he still has, he is continuing with something he use to do with his mother--care for graves at a cemetery, including that one of his mother. It's at the cemetery and at its chapel that he begins to find mysterious clues about himself.

Cole is so vulnerable at a point of growth that is often confusing for most children. His father, who is also grieving, tries to be a supportive but distant father, providing structure to his son. The significance of the owls, of the writing on the tombstones, of how life can be celebrated through death as well as through the changes we experience in life are central themes.

This story is one I would highly recommend for young adult readers. While it does not follow the current themes in YA literature, it does tell a story most young teens can read, identify with, and enjoy. Most students do know someone who has lost a beloved family member, and they want so much to be able to help the friend, just like Liz does with Cole. They also subtly understand the significance of family and how they can change.

Finally, you must have the book in hand in order to enjoy the cover. It is a piece of art! It is a piece I want to buy, frame, and hang. When I first bought my copy, I thought I could feel the textures. The vivid colors are stunning---appropriate for the feeling of change that occurs in the story but not gloomy either. It is appealing.

[Susan Barton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thirteen-year-old Cole Atwater is still trying to cope with his mother’s untimely death three years earlier. Cole was very close to his mother and when she died in a car accident, Cole’s life was turned upside down. His dad is grieving in his own way as well, which has Cole feeling very much alone. His only solace is continuing his mother’s “work” tidying up the local cemetery. When mysterious notes begin appearing among the gravesites, Cole is intrigued and determined to get to the bottom of who is leaving the notes for him to find.

This is a sweet and tender story of a boy’s love for his deceased mother. The additional mystery subplot was an interesting touch that I enjoyed. The book is very short, just 96 pages, so I breezed through it quickly.

There were a couple of minor things I would mention. The book is very heavy on inner dialogue. I really think it would have benefited from more interactive dialogue between characters. Also, I had some difficulty envisioning a thirteen-year-old boy calling his girlfriend “babe”. In my experience, boys at this age aren’t usually so “mushy”.

Having said these things, I’d still say Marble Town is well worth the read. The ending is wonderfully satisfying. It really is a lovely story about loss, hope and new beginnings. Thanks to the author for providing a complimentary copy of this book!

5 of 5 Stars, Review by Susan Barton, https://ebookreviewgal.com

[Hayley Magnant · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet, short story perfect for middle schoolers! Kathleen M. Jacobs tackles the tricky topic of loss in a touching and tasteful way.

Marble Town follows the story of Cole, who has lost his mother at a young, vulnerable age. Best described as ethereal and mysterious, Cole’s mother has left a profound impact on him, and he hears her words in his ears, years after her death. Cole also continues his mother’s ritual of caring for the graves in their town’s mostly-forgotten cemetery. One day, he notices a slip of paper with his name on it on his mother’s grave marker. These slips of paper keep popping up, pointing Cole to Bible verses and lessons in life and loss.

This story was so quick that I thought characters and plot points could have been more fleshed out with more time and more dialogue; nonetheless, this is a book that I will add to my classroom library for my students to read and enjoy.