Jacob and the Mandolin Adventure

April 1, 2021

Gr 3-7-This historical novel takes readers to 1920s Poland before leading to an adventure in a new land. Thirteen-year old Jacob is a young white boy living in an orphanage for Jewish children. Amid hardship, playing his mandolin provides one source of peace and joy. When a mysterious American man promises the children opportunity in Canada, the group makes the harsh and uncertain trek while questioning whether everything is as it seems. Hunger, bullying, harsh words of persecution, and moments of grief all make the book a resonant prompt for discussing many issues that students face today. The journey itself, a centerpiece in the story, is told as one of hope, but also new dangers. In spite of the difficulties Jacob faces, the presence of music and art are a balm for him and others. As a former teacher-librarian, Dublin knows her audience and it shows; her use of description and dialogue to build character and setting is sure to engage readers. In Jacob, readers encounter a figure whose life is far from easy, but whose passion helps him transcend his circumstances. He is an orphan and an outsider in some regards, but his desire to pursue his dream will be relatable to many. VERDICT A complex journey that may conjure connections to Jerry Spinelli's Milkweed and John Boyne's The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. Jacob is a character readers ought to meet.-Jason DeHart, Appalachian St. Univ., Boone, NC

Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 1, 2021
Thirteen-year-old Jacob Weiss is an orphan in 1927 Poland. After Jacob's family died from influenza when he was 4, his aunt and uncle took him in; but though they loved him, they could not afford to continue to support him. He is well cared for at the Jewish orphanage in Mezritsh, Poland, but there is never enough food to eat, and anti-Jewish sentiment is everywhere. At the orphanage, Jacob receives music lessons in addition to his regular studies, and playing the mandolin helps him forget his hunger and loneliness. When Eli Greenblatt, an American benefactor originally from Mezritsh, comes to visit the orphanage, Jacob's life changes forever. Based on the true story of Morris Saxe's Jewish Farm School in Canada, Jacob's journey takes him from Mezritsh to Georgetown, Ontario, with his beloved mandolin in tow. He and his fellow orphans travel for weeks by train and by ship in the hopes of finding a whole new life in a brand-new world across the Atlantic. Dublin retells the harrowing tale of the orphans' journey--and the ups and downs once they arrive--simply, making it accessible for readers. Her extensive research is apparent in the fast-paced plot and detailed backmatter, which includes profiles of real individuals who appear in the story. Main characters are White and Jewish. A well-told account based on a lesser-known story of Jewish immigration. (historical notes, map, sources, photos) (Historical fiction. 8-12)

COPYRIGHT(2021) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.