Passing through the transition hallway at South Park High School was as mundane a task as passing along a text message. But not for Jackson Wolf and James McDougal. Bullies randomly target them, a fight ensues and suspensions are handed down. After school, Jackson is indifferent to McDougal’s overtures of friendship until the whiz-kid proposes they jam the security cameras of a local drug store … store with his iPhone and steal some beer. From there the two fringe boys, biracial Jackson and undersized McDougal, become fast friends. Together they combat the bullies, their alcoholic fathers and bond over the beautiful—Syd and Lexi, indie music and extreme biking. But as the boys grow in strength people start to exit from Jackson’s life, leading to him to question his choices and believe forces in the universe are conspiring against him. With the help of McDougal and the stunningly competent Jessica Lee, Jackson learns that he must draw on his own power and goodness as he confronts the possibility of his greatest loss yet.
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Leaving Jackson Wolf by P.A. Kane
4 Stars
This was a nice change from what I normally read. Not all the topics or happenings in this story were the easiest to read but life as a young adult in these times isn’t easy so it was pretty real and spot on in most parts.
This is my first read by this author and I sincerely enjoyed the style of writing. I don’t normally enjoy books where there’s more inner thoughts written then actual dialogue but in a lot of ways this one worked and with the way the world is today, where we feel like we are going backwards instead of forward this book fit right in.
I will definitely be watching for more by this author and I would recommend reading this story!
5 Stars
Leaving Jackson Wolf by P.A Kane is a superb contemporary fiction story that really surprised me by how much I loved it. Not having read the author before, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect, but the blurb looked promising and a little different from what I have been reading of late, so I took a chance and dove in. I really am having trouble doing this brilliant book the justice that it deserves… The author really is an incredible storyteller, who took me on a journey that I won’t soon forget. This book contains a coming of age story, with a very strong friendship at the core of it all. The story also covers some social and political ‘issues’ that really added an extra element, and atmosphere, to the whole story. The plot is quite emotive- I really felt so much while following along on this story- my heart ached for the character/s at times.
It is the incredible characters, their connection- and their bond of friendship that is the true star of this novel. They bring this story to life, elevating it and setting it apart from others in the same genre. I cannot recommend this story enough!
I will definitely be reading more of Mr. Kane’s work from here on out!
Thank you, Mr. Kane!
Here’s a story that is well written and deep in thought. Jackson is a typical kid from the ‘hood with a drunk father and a runaway mother. He is bi-racial so he feels like he doesn’t fit in anywhere. It doesn’t help that his good for nothing father tells him he doesn’t fit in.
This story got me to thinking about my own life and fitting in. Each adventure or mis-adventure that the boys took reminded me of the dumb stuff I did as a kid too.
Leaving Jackson Wolf feels like its written in the 60’s or the 70’s but then Jackson and McDougal talk about Trump and other current events reminding me that it is written in current time.
I can recommend this book to readers looking for a different kind of story, one that makes you think about what your doing, where your going and how your going to get there. A story that makes you think about your own personal actions and reactions.
I tend to read the same type of story over and over again so lately I’ve been reading books “blind”. For this particular book, I didn’t even look at the cover – I just chose it. I did not know what it was going to be about, the genre, the author, well you get the drift.
I cracked the binding on this book after work last night at about 6PM and didn’t go to sleep until I was finished.
This is a super powerful story of growing up. The story takes place in a very short amount of time and it has very few characters that I needed to focus on. The setting is bleak, the outlook is not encouraging and the overall feeling of the book is dark, like a cloudy day when it looks like rain but it never comes. Shining through this setting is the brilliant, powerful, mishmash of human beings being human.
Every Jackson should have a James and every James should have a Jackson in their lives. The power of this friendship is breathtaking.
After reading the story, I looked up the author and was surprised that this beautiful story was written by a man (I hate admitting that because it feels so sexist. After reading his bio, I have a crush and will be stalking him for future stories.
I cannot say enough about this book and I cannot recommend it enough.
Leaving Jackson Wolf
By: P.A. Kane
5 out of 5 stars
The story Leaving Jackson Wolf by P.A. Kane is a YA/coming of age book. It is a story that I enjoyed reading. It is about the life of a teenage boy who is trying to deal with school, home life, and love. It is a journey that I found emotional and also thought-provoking. Reading about Jackson Wolf had me at times smiling, sad, angry, and frustrated. His story is both heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. The book tells of how he gains a friend in James McDougal. While you wouldn’t have been able to tell from the first time that they meet these two become inseparable. Bikes, music, and the girls in their lives are constant subjects between them. Both of their fathers like to drink heavily, and this is also something that they talk about. Wolf’s life can be chaotic and at times overwhelms him. He does at times have conflicted emotions about those around him. There comes a time when Wolf loses some of those in his life and he begins to wonder why and if it is life conspiring against him. Sometimes advice can be given that can help you find your inner strength and power. Will Wolf get the advice and help that he needs? Read this book to find out. I found both Wolf and McDougal to be very mischievous in some their actions. McDougal is the tech person in their friendship and Wolf is the one that pushes them to strengthen themselves. I also enjoyed reading about the part that many of the additional characters play in Wolf and McDougal’s life and their interactions with them. This is a story that is well-written and one I would recommend reading.
This is a Young Adult-Coming of Age story that kept me reading until the end. This is my first book by this author and I enjoyed the fast paced, engaging plot. This is a story about a young man and his journey of discovery of who he is and what his future could be. The characters took me on an emotional roller coaster ride that includes bullying. They are true to life and typical high schoolers that really are just learning to live. I highly recommend reading this book.