There’s something timeless and tender about stories that capture the complexity of growing up, especially when they weave in themes of family, self-discovery, and those first confusing glimpses of young love. Jacob’s Bully by David Brandt delivers all this and more, wrapped in a relatable coming-of-age tale that many young adult fiction lovers will find both heartwarming and deeply real.
At its core, Jacob’s Bully isn’t just a story about schoolyard conflicts or the social tensions teens face, though those elements certainly play a part. It’s a beautifully written narrative about a teenage boy, Jacob, learning to find his voice in a world that feels increasingly unpredictable and fragmented. The book opens a window into the emotional life of a boy who misses the “old days”—the days when his family felt whole, when Saturday mornings were filled with pancakes, fishing trips, and the comfort of a father-son bond.
Now, life feels different. Quieter. Maybe even lonelier.
But David Brandt doesn’t leave Jacob to navigate this rocky terrain alone. One of the most touching and standout dynamics in the book is the subtle but powerful relationship between Jacob and his dad, Reed. Their interactions are loaded with subtext—muted affection, lingering regrets, and those awkward-but-loving attempts at male bonding that are all too familiar in father-son stories.
Take, for instance, a scene at the county fair. With the smell of livestock in the air and the buzz of 4-H exhibits humming in the background, Reed and Jacob find themselves strolling past cages of rabbits and ducks. It’s a typical, almost mundane moment, but Brandt turns it into something quietly profound. Reed, beer in hand and fumbling with the kind of emotional sensitivity that doesn’t come easy to him, tries to broach the subject of Jacob’s crush—Paige.
“What’s up with you and Paige?” he asks casually, but his eyes are probing, searching for a chance to connect.
Jacob’s embarrassed resistance—“Please, Dad, no”—is something every teenager can understand. But instead of pushing too hard, Reed shares an essential piece of wisdom: “You need to stand up for yourself. Sometimes, it’s scary, especially when a girl is involved.”
It’s moments like this that make Jacob’s Bully stand out in the young adult genre. The book doesn’t rely on melodrama or overdone tropes. Instead, it breathes in quiet exchanges and unspoken lessons. Reed isn’t the perfect dad—he drinks, he jokes clumsily, he doesn’t always say the right thing—but he shows up, and for Jacob, that matters more than anything.
Paige, the girl in question, is more than a mere love interest. She’s a catalyst—someone who challenges Jacob to step up and see himself not as a victim, but as someone worthy of care and connection. Their friendship teeters on something deeper, and while Jacob might not be ready to name it, the way Brandt explores his hesitation and curiosity is what makes this book a gem.
Jacob’s Bully is a teenage book that will be loved by boys who are trying to find their place in a complicated world. It’s for the kids who miss the way things used to be, and for the parents trying to connect with their children despite the walls life builds between them. But more than anything, it’s a reminder that courage doesn’t always roar—sometimes, it looks like standing up for yourself in the smallest of moments, with a girl, a bully, or even your own fears.