Jacob's Dilemma, written by Daphne Greer. Nimbus Publishing, 2023. $14.95 ages 10 and up

 

"Maggie. 
My adoption. 
What have I done?

Maggie, Pearl, and Frank are my family now, 
so why have I gone and done this? It's going to 
mess things up. If Dad couldn't keep up with 
Jade, I certainly won't be able to. Why did I 
answer her letter? I have to tell Maggie. If 
anyone will understand it will be her. Or at 
least I hope so. 

In Jacob's Ladder (2015), we learned that Jacob's father had recently died. There was no mother in the picture. Jacob was living with a foster mother, Maggie. Moving to Newport Landing to live with his paternal grandparents for the summer was quite a shock. Getting to know them provided a real learning curve for him, and his discovery of a large inheritance made the news as it allowed him to provide funds for an important local project. 

In this heartfelt sequel, Jacob receives a letter from Jade, the mother who abandoned him as a baby and who has never played any role in his life. To his surprise, Jade wants to meet him. Jacob is a thinker, rather than a doer. He doesn't tell Maggie or his grandparents about the letter while trying to determine what to do. What's a boy to think? He is confused by Jade's attempt to become part of his life. He worries about his future with Maggie who is set to adopt him. He is concerned with Jade's intentions. 

Jacob's curiosity about Jade is strong. With help, he finds her and learns that she is spontaneous, while unreliable. She does things that make Jacob feel uncomfortable, and is the polar opposite of him and his father. Those differences also make her exciting to an impressionable adolescent. It isn't until a dramatic event reveals her presence in his life that the truth comes out. What follows shows Jacob to be a worthy and admirable character. 

 Jacob is extremely fortunate to be surrounded by an amazing group of friends and family. They protect and support him, while he learns about the person Jade is. Maggie loves him enough to uproot her life in Ottawa and move to Newport Landing to adopt him; his grandparents, odd as they are, love him unconditionally; his grandfather's caregiver offers sage advice; his friend Ruby believes in him and offers a strong shoulder and a listening ear; and other community members are there for him as well. In the end, he recognizes what family truly is, and how lucky he is to have these amazing people in his life.