Jake's Tower

by Elizabeth Laird

Jake lives a dismal life with his mother and Steve, his extremely violent stepfather. His only refuge is his imagination and he dreams of living in a secluded tower on an island, where nobody can hurt him.

After a particularly vicious beating, his mother flees in desperation to Mrs Judd, Jake's paternal grandmother, whom he has never met. Gradually, they get to know each other, and Jake is overwhelmed when he meets his real father for the first time - although he is not quite what Jake had imagined.

This short novel skilfully tackles the difficult subject of domestic violence, and Jake is a brave, convincing character, full of maturity and passion.

Publisher: Macmillan Children's books

Elizabeth Laird

Elizabeth Laird is the award-winning author of many highly acclaimed novels. She was born in Wellington, New Zealand, but is of Scottish descent and was educated at Croydon High School. She spent a year teaching in Malaysia, before studying languages at Bristol and Edinburgh universities. Elizabeth has spent much of her life living and working abroad, including long spells in Lebanon, Ethiopia and India. She now lives in Richmond and Edinburgh with her husband.

Elizabeth has written over 30 books for children on a broad range of subjects, from historical adventures to real life stories, picture books to retelling of folk tales. She has won many awards, including the Children's Book Award for Kiss the Dust, the Smarties Young Judges Award, and the Lancashire Book Award. Elizabeth has been shortlisted for the CILIP Carnegie Medal five times as well as every other major children’s book award.

http://www.elizabethlaird.co.uk/

Photo: Macmillan