The Boy on the Porch

THE BOY ON THE PORCH by Sharon Creech. Harper, September 2013.

John and Marta return home one evening to find a boy on their porch. He is not someone they have seen before, and he does not speak. The only clue is a note found that reads, "Plees taik kair of Jacob." The boy has a name but no story to tell even if he did speak. Soon, though, with John and Marta's care, Jacob finds much to do on the farm. He has an affinity for animals and a powerful talent for painting as well. Creech has the ability to draw readers in, to make them care about the characters, young, old, animal and human. She is also a teller of tales that are infused with love of family no matter how unconventional that family might be.