Jip, His Story

By Katherine Paterson

A stranger's arrival unravels Jip's forgotten past, leading to unexpected truths.

3.7/5 Goodreads · 1,419 ratings

181 pages· 46,876 words· Est. 6.5 hour read

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Bookroo's summary

Jip, a boy with a mysterious past, lives a simple life at the town poor farm until a stranger arrives, claiming to know his origins. As Jip befriends a misunderstood man, he must confront the secrets of his past and the stranger's true intentions. Can Jip uncover the truth about his family, or will the stranger's revelations change everything? Set in 1855, this tale of friendship and discovery challenges Jip to face his history and find his place in the world.

From the publisher

After tumbling off the back of a wagon, Jip was brought to live at the town poor farm. He has been content to do chores and tend animals – until the day the lunatic arrives. Put seems terrifying and less than human, but as the weeks pass, Jip sees the man he truly is. So, when a menacing stranger comes to town, claiming to have been sent by Jip’s grieving father, Jip turns to his new friend to make sense of his past. Jip is another triumph from Katherine Paterson – and fans of her Lyddie are in for a special surprise”. Like Paterson’s Newbery-winning Bridge to Terabithia and Jacob Have I Loved, this historically accurate story is full of revelations and surprise…The taut, extremely readable narrative and its tender depictions of friendship and loyalty provide first-rate entertainment”.– “Publishers Weekly”, starred review” Maintains its riveting pace from the opening chapter to the final moment when the protagonist triumphs over adversity…Evokes the attitudes and social conditions of the times [1855-1856] in lucent prose”.– “The Horn Book”, starred review