Hard Times for Jake Smith

by Aileen Kilgore Henderson

It’s 1935, and the hard times of the Great Depression, it seems, are here to stay. Each day, something else is first the pig, then the cow, then one day even the beloved dog, Adder, is sold off. Finally, the whole family packs up in the car and leaves—the children wonder where, but their parents are silent. After a couple hours’ drive, the car stops on the edge of the road and Ma leans into the back seat, giving MaryJake a handkerchief with something tied inside and instructions to walk down the path into the forest, take the left fork into town, and present the handkerchief at the rock house. Then the car—and with it, Ma, Pa, and MaryJake’s two brothers—drives away. So begins the adventure of an abandoned girl who chooses her own path (neither left fork nor right), dyes her hair in a stump full of walnut-colored water, and disguises herself as a boy in order to survive. MaryJake Wildsmith is now Jake Smith, soon to discover that she is not the only one keeping secrets.

232 pages, Paperback

First published March 17, 2004

Reviews

[KidsFiction Teton County Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

J Henderson

Jake Smith is really Maryjake Wildsmith, a 12 year old girl, abandoned by her parents during the Great Depression in 1935. She disguises herself as a boy to survive and along the way meets lots of interesting folks - like Poe, a boy who only comes out at night. We are caught up in her life in disguise, but along with her, discover there are many other family secrets to be revealed.

[Blessy Kuria]

I thought it was good but a bite stupid that I had to read 36 chapters for my report for school and I didn't finish which I didn't do that good on next time make a better book that will not take forever to read hhhhhaw so much work for a 11 year old what kind of crazy world are we living in my goodness

[Carolyn Breckinridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard Times for Jake Smith is an engaging middle/young high school read which is equally as enjoyable for adults. The author, who lived through the Great Depression in Alabama, offers readers an opportunity to experience this time in our nation's history through the eyes of her fictional characters. I especially like that her main character is a determined, spirited, curious girl who manages very tough circumstances via courage, intelligence, and a sense of independence. Through this novel, Aileen Kilgore Henderson has successfully captured the great struggles of this historical period, passing down important information to those of us born after our country regained its economic footing. Equally, she has written a novel filled with adventure, friendship, and the love of family that kept me turning pages until the very end. I wish this book were on all middle school book lists.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably the best thing about this book (and it's a very good book) is that I was never certain exactly how it would end, despite the obvious foreshadowings that were present. I'll be checking out more books by this author.

[Candice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice characters, great story and setting was fantastic. only thing that could have made it better, was being a little longer :)

[Lisa Beth Hutchins · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a review for the Regent library. It was a great story.

[Nora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally different. Really liked this one which illuminated the situations families endured during the Depression and what courage survival took.