The Taking of Jake Livingston by Ryan Douglass
G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: July 13, 2021
ISBN: 978-1984812537
Seeing ghosts is just a fact of life for Jake Livingston. He is stuck seeing people in their last moments of life, their deaths looping over and over. So far life has been weird and somewhat complicated, but bearable. That is until the ghost of Sawyer, a school shooter from a neighboring high school, breaks free from his death loop and starts stalking Jake. Sawyer wants something from Jake and figuring out what exactly that is will put Jake in more danger than he has ever experienced.
This is a short and fast paced read with a definite creepiness that horror and thriller lovers will like. The story is told from the dual perspectives of Jake in present time and Sawyer’s journal from before the shooting event, which adds more depth to the story and the characters’ motivations.
This book would be great for fans of Riverdale, The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, and the Fear Street movie series. Readers who enjoy this book may also enjoy other creepy books like Horrid by Katrina Leno and any of Danielle Vega’s paranormal horror stories.
–Jayna Ramsey, Lakewood, CO
Other Nominated Titles
- They Better Call Me Sugar: My Journey from the Hood to the Hard Wood by Sugar Rodgers (May 4, 2021)
The Selected Lists teams read throughout the year in search of the best titles published in their respective categories. Once a book is suggested (either internally or through the Title suggestion form), it must pass through a review process to be designated an official nomination.
Each week, the teams feature a review of one of the officially nominated titles. Additional titles to receive this designation are listed as well. At year’s end, the team will curate a final list from all nominated titles and select a Top Ten. The previous years’ lists are available on The Hub.
