Jake and Lily

By Jerry Spinelli

Twins face identity and belonging challenges as they grow apart at eleven.

5.3/7 Bookroo expert·4.0/5 Goodreads · 5,811 ratings

352 pages· 43,064 words· Est. 6 hour read

$16.99Save 6%

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Bookroo's summary

Twins Jake and Lily have always felt inseparable, like two halves of one whole. But turning eleven changes everything. Their parents decide on separate bedrooms, and Jake starts hanging out with a neighborhood gang, leaving Lily feeling lost and angry. As Jake falls under the influence of a bully, both siblings must confront their identities. Who is Lily without Jake? And who is the real Jake? This summer of change tests their bond, leading them to discover true friendship, resilience, and the essence of who they are. Will they find their way back to each other?

From the publisher

This is a story about me, Lily. And me, Jake. We’re twins and we’re exactly alike. Not exactly! Whatever. This is a book we wrote about the summer we turned eleven and Jake ditched me. Please. I just started hanging out with some guys in the neighborhood. Right. So anyway, this is a book about goobers and supergoobers bullies clubhouses true friends things getting built and wrecked and rebuilt and about figuring out who we are. We wrote this together (sort of) so you’ll get to see both sides of our story. But you’ll probably agree with my side. You always have to have the last word, don’t you? Yes!

At a glance

Format
Pages: 352
Words: 43,064
Reading age: 8–12
Audience: Middle Grade
Lexile: 480L

Themes & topics

Books about bullying Books about honesty Books about empathy Books about twins Books about being yourself

After the last page

Talk about it together

This book addresses a lot about bullying--what it is and how to handle it. Talk to your child about Jake and the lessons he learns from both being a bully and standing up to bullies. Discuss how Ernie reacts to bullying and how Jake being a defender stops the bullying. Studies have shown that nearly 100% of the time, if a “defender” stands up to the bully and defends the victim, the bully will back down.

What readers & critics say

Reviews

5.3

out of 7

5.3

“The best part about this book is the lesson on bullying. Not only do you have the characters witnessing bullying, one of the main characters takes part in bullying and walks through the feelings he has after, the forgiveness he receives, the empathy he gains, and what he does to try to make up for his actions.”

B is for Bookworm

Trusted reviewer

For readers who can't stop at one