I must say after reading Eric Walters author’s note, placed at the beginning of The King of Jam Sandwiches, it was difficult to completely enjoy this book. While you know the story will have a happy ending, you had to get to it first.
The author’s note read: “This was a difficult story for me to write because it’s so personal. Many of the things I’ve written about are from my life. The question I’m already being asked is, ‘How much of this is true?’ The answer is simple – too much and not enough.”
Eric Walters
Which means the things we read about what’s happening in 13-year-old Robbie’s life – his dad disappearing, the highs and lows and going hungry and without – may have happened in Walters’ childhood as well and, equally important, is likely happening in someone else’s life today.
In this book, we meet Robbie, who doesn’t tell anyone at school that his dad wakes him up in the night to tell him he is dying or simply disappears, leaving Robbie alone for more than a week. Robbie doesn’t tell because he is afraid he will be put in a foster home if he does. One day, a new girl shows up, and Robbie is asked to show Harmony around.
“Their first meeting ends horribly, and she punches Robbie in the face. But after a rocky start, a real friendship grows. Can Robbie trust her to keep his secret?”
I confess I am big fan of Walters‘ work. I don’t think I have read a book I didn’t like and this is one is certainly no different. I was a bit anxious reading it, but I finished it off in an evening. My heart broke for the choices Robbie had to make and the lack of options he felt he had.
Harmony, too, was an amazing character: loyal, tough, smart and so brave. Both had to grow up way before they should have. I was upset for and cheered on both of them.
The story is obviously realistic and makes me even more grateful that I was born into a family who always took care of each other.
In his note for educators, Walters, a teacher himself, talks about growing up in poverty and how that put people like him at a severe disadvantage.
“You grow up believing you’re not as good as other people, not as good as you need to be. And even if you can someone fool other people, you never really and truly convince yourself. Some people get out. Somehow, I got out. You learn that you have to work harder than everybody else. If you’re lucky, you find people along the way – usually, in the beginning, it’s a teacher or two or three – who see you and what you are capable of doing.
“The hard part for teachers isn’t discovering the potential inside these young people, but rather in convincing them that they really do have that potential. Potential for success, for great things, to become so much more…”
The King of Jam Sandwiches is by Eric Walters and Orca Books . It retails for $12.95 and is recommended for children eight to 12. It is on sale Sept. 15.
A copy of this book was provided by Orca Book for an honest
review. The opinions are my own.
August 27, 2020 at 9:35 am
I always have a difficult time deciding how I feel about books like this and the messages and stories in them and how they will teach our children – for ages 8-12, 8 seems young, 12 seems old enough. Alas as the story suggests many children have to grow up much sooner then they should and simply reading about it only allows those lucky enough to grow up slowly – to be conscious in a great way.
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August 29, 2020 at 11:41 am
I hear you. I feel the same. However, the benefit of reading together is that you can discuss these things – how lucky they are and how some kids are dealing with things they shouldn’t be. And always the importance of kindness.
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August 27, 2020 at 1:00 pm
Eric Walters is such a great writer and this sounds like another winner. Children do need to know that not everyone is privileged, and those who are not, need to know they are not alone. Books like this are important. Thanks for the great review.
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August 29, 2020 at 11:36 am
I agreed re: Eric Walters. His note at the end talking about poverty and the importance of teachers is beautiful. It makes you wonder how many other Robbies are out there and why we don’t see them.
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March 3, 2022 at 5:27 pm
What about the post note? It says Harmony is now an award winning actress who changed her name to the name of a state? Is it really true?
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March 7, 2022 at 4:30 pm
I am not sure if this is part of the parts that are true.
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March 3, 2022 at 5:29 pm
Also congrats to Eric Walters on having his book nominated to the forest of reading. I’m sure it will win!
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