Stealing Jake, by Pam Hillman, follows Livy O’Brien as she tries to make a new life in Chestnut, Illinois. When she steps in to protect a group of street kids, she must face her own past since she was once one of them.Deputy Jake Russell aims to put a stop to the thieving being done in his town. Everyone thinks it’s the street kids, except for Livy, the woman he is drawn to despite her secrets. If only he could find proof of who the real thief actually is.

Young Luke is one of the street kids Livy tries to protect, but he knows things most of the adults don’t even know. In a time in America’s history when manufacturing is booming and child labor laws wouldn’t be passed for nearly another fifty years, boys and girls like Luke are being forced to work in horrible conditions.

Will Livy earn Luke’s trust so he can learn the truth? Will Jake accept Livy’s past in time to save the kids? Will Luke be able to rescue those who mean the most to him?

Stealing Jake is a tale that brings to life a challenging time in America’s history. However, many of the struggles Jake, Livy, and Luke face are ones we as readers could also learn from and apply to our lives today. What’s the saying: if we don’t learn from the past, we’re condemned to repeat it.

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I borrowed this book from the library. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”