Description Share Post Jake in the Middle: Maple Street Michael Catchpool Illustrated by Michael Catchpool (Otter-Barry Books) It’s Jake in the Middle: Maple Street, number 3 to be exact. It isn’t ‘a huge house’ but ‘very full’ and ‘very busy’. What’s more, Grandpa lives downstairs at number 3A. While Jake’s certain about Grandpa’s value, he’s less certain why older sisters, like Ellie, or little brothers, like Sam, are necessary. After all, older sisters are not likely to let you borrow something that might become a centrepiece in a school display. Then again, little brothers could be inclined to want your tiger striped trainers for themselves. Within four stories, we join Jake’s life. This includes an outing with Grandpa to the City Farm although it seems that pond dipping will not be part of the day! Thereafter, it seems Grandpa needs the children for a visit to his ‘Aladdin’s Cave’. Like the wonderful Nikhil and Jay stories, for example, Jake in the Middle: Maple Street is a wonderful choice for readers building chapter book stamina and experience. These stories are so inviting. Jake’s a recognisable character with family members and situations with which we are familiar. Bookwagon loves this title and looks forward to further stories of Jake’s life and those he knows and encounters.
