The Jakes

by Robert Hitt Neill

Described by one New York critic as a "New Generation Huck Finn," THE JAKES (definition: a Jake is a young, immature, male turkey) begins at age 13, when a boy is old enough to begin thinking about such grown-up subjects as girls, driving, heaven, and hell; and continuing through high school graduation, The Jakes get into mischief galore. From their bouts with the "fire monster," to their duels with Coach Roach; from skinny dipping to rabbit running; from "haints" in the woods to Aliens in Camp, every reader over 12 will identify with Heater, Perfect, Birdlegs, Deadeye, Boateater, and Rookie. This book is about growing up. It's about the fun and the pain; the heartthrob of young love, and the heartbreak of death; the riotous adventures one dares not tell adults, and the warm close times around the campfire with good friends. The Jakes will make the reader laugh, cry, and just plain feel good! This book is about life. And love. Read it.

340 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1990

Reviews

[Kevin Lum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, clean (and most importantly, hilarious) fun told by one of Mississippi's native sons. I first read this book as a teenager and could identify with (having experienced my fair share of similar events) the shanigans of the titular "jakes." As an adult, I have reread this book several times and always find it worthwhile.