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Jacob's Rite of Passage | The Trilogy
Sunday, 13 December 2020 18:33

Young Jacob

youth75The first novella of the trilogy that introduces our main character and protagonist, Jacob Peter Manor, in his formative years.

Published in The Trilogy...
Wednesday, 16 January 2019 19:10

Biz Kidz City Adventure

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Join the Manor children, Big Brother, Jacob, Elsie and Dabney as they embark upon a brand new city adventure.

Published in Family Series
Wednesday, 26 August 2015 21:54

Biz Kidz Country Adventure

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Join the Manor children, Big Brother, Jacob, Elsie and Dabney as they embark upon a brand new adventure.

Published in Family Series
Thursday, 15 August 2013 14:59

School Days

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An excellent learning tool that not only supports reading, but actively engages the vivid imagination of young readers...

Published in Family Series
Tuesday, 13 August 2013 20:07

The Trilogy...

RiteofPassage CollectionThe Great Depression. The South. Young Jacob's story unfolds during a difficult time, in the unforgiving south, a hard place for an African-American boy, Jacob Pete Manor, as he embarks upon his personal journey — his Rite of Passage.

Fourth and final child, born to a family of sharecroppers from the rural area of Fayetteville North Carolina, Jacob uncovers pertinent life truths that involve mother-son over-bonding, betrayal, abandonment, sexual explorations, misconceptions of “manhood,” and other crucial challenges and milestones which ultimately lead Jacob to becoming the man God destined him to be.

Jacob was a dreamer, with very high aspirations, whose ambitions exceeded the scope of what a climate of segregation, inadequate school systems, and a mind set of inferiority dictated for a young African-American male.

BOYS to MEN! The Journey — Rite of Passage —  of protagonist, Jacob Peter Manor.

His successes, failures, and life’s ultimate lessons helped him uncover the true meaning of "manhood." Jacob’s challenges and uniquely orchestrated stages of his life produced a far greater outcome than expected.

 buynow

Published in The Trilogy...
Monday, 01 April 2013 16:31

Spring Promo: Teen Jacob Segment

 

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One Monday when Jacob arrived at work, one of the young men who worked in his department said to him, “I need to talk to you when you have time.”

Jacob replied, “I still have a few minutes before start time, we can talk while I have my coffee.  Lets go down to the dressing room.”

Milton was a family man and a good employee.  He was only with them a short time……..

The two men took a seat at the table, “What’s on your mind?”  Jacob Asked.

Milton answered, “You know that I took my family to South Carolina for the summer.  I have to go and pick them up, but I don’t have any vacation time, so I have to do it on the week end.”

Jacob Said, “Okay, so what do you need from me?  Do you need money?”

Milton said, “No, I want you to go with me and help me drive.  My wife doesn’t drive and that’s a lot of driving for one person.”……..

Jacob thought about Milton’s proposition during the morning shift and decided that it would be good for him……….

They both got paid on Friday and cashed their check at the bank at lunchtime…….Gas and tolls were cheap.   The tank was already full of gas.  Milton’s fifty dollars were more than enough for the outbound and return trip.

Jacob took the first leg down the New Jersey Turnpike and into Maryland.  They stopped for coffee and a bathroom break at the Maryland House.  Milton took the wheel at this point.  He was a good driver and loved to drive.  He made good time while Jacob took a nap. Jacob was awaken by the sound of a State Trooper’s siren in Emporia, Virginia.  Milton quickly informed Jacob that his license was expired.  Jacob slipped Milton his wallet that contained his license.

The trooper came to the Driver’s side, “Let me see your license and registration.” 

Milton took out Jacob’s license and retrieved the registration from over the visor and handed them to the trooper.  The trooper looked at them and said, “I clocked you driving eighty-five miles per hour in a thirty-five mile zone.  In this state anything more than twenty miles over the speed limit is considered reckless driving.  Did you know that?”

Milton answered, “No, I did not.”

The trooper said, “Follow me to the station.”………

The trooper got a little bolder now and became insulting. “This boy was driving eighty-five miles an hour in a thirty-five mile zone.”

The justice of the peace repeated the charges of careless and reckless driving and asked, “How do you plead?”

Milton who was now Jacob had no choice but to plead guilty or they would have held him in jail for court on Monday morning.  The justice of the peace said, “The fine is one hundred dollars and twelve dollars court costs.  Are you prepared to pay the fines?”

Milton and Jacob were both stunned.  They figured maybe twenty-five or thirty dollars.  They had less than one hundred dollars between the two of them and still had to get to South Carolina and back to Jersey City.  Milton answered, “No, You Honor; I will have to call my uncle and have him wire me the money.”

The justice of the peace said to the trooper, “Lock him up and let him make the call.”

Milton asked, “Can I speak to my friend for a moment?”

The justice of the peace said, “Sure, go ahead.”

Milton returned Jacob’s wallet with his license and cash.  He also gave Jacob what money he had and said, “Here’s the phone number for my mother’s house in Florence where my wife and kids are staying.  Will you pick them up Sunday, return here and pick me up, while I wait for my uncle to wire the money?”

Jacob drove away and followed all of the rules of the road.  He knew that if he broke the law, there would be two Jacobs in jail and that one or both of them would do some time.  The state trooper followed him back to the main highway and out of the city limits.  Things happened so fast there was no time to be afraid.  When he was out of city limits, cold chills came over his entire body and he began to perspire.  He pulled over and rested his head on the steering wheel and thought about what happened.  God was with them and he said aloud, “Thank you, Lord.”………….

Published in Promotions

Jacob's Rite of Passage Reviews

When I first started reading the first book in this trilogy, I couldn't put it down. It was so engaging. I felt like I was actually there, and I couldn't wait until the end; but it wasn't the end. I still had two more books to read. I ended up reading the whole trilogy in one day. Whenever I finished a book, I would go straight to the next. And throughout the entire time, I was wondering and thinking to myself, what's going to happen next, and are the characters going to do this or that.

Jacob's Rite of Passage is a very inspirational series. I could often relate myself to the characters. I relate more to Big Brother than Jacob because I am the big brother. Big Brother had to look out for Jacob, and in the same way, I have to look out for Avery, Aaron, Aiden, and Andy. But, when Jacob was younger, he cussed and disobeyed Ma Bets. I did the same when I was younger, except I cussed when I was by myself. The part that stands out the most to me was when Big Brother died. I felt some emotion for Jacob because he had just lost his older brother.

The books are also very educational. They give insight on what it was like to live in the early 20th century. I give this series five stars, six if I could. They are very beneficial to any teenager, especially males because the books are about a male, and he had a lot of the same problems that male teens have today. The books even address things that teenagers think about but don't really talk about. 

The series starts out with Young Jacob, Teen Jacob, then The Man Jacob, and they each have dozens of lessons. I learned a lot of things from them. My favorite part about reading these books was the way I felt emotion for the characters and felt compassion, or anger, or if he's just going to get through it. They were well written.

Alan L.
15 years old


"Thanks for all your hard work. I started reading the book to my mother. We both are enjoying. I read a lot and I can already determine that he writes well. Thanks again."

Cynthia Henderson


"Jacob's Rite of Passage is a book like none other. It provides a refreshing and insightful view of African-American family. It showcases the struggles and victories of a post-slavery African-American family in a new light. It only got more interesting with each page turned. It was such a wonderful book!"

Valerie Taylor-Thomas


Your books are outstanding, I have passed it around to my children and a couple of friends, they too have found your writings a great teaching tool and inspiring for the young men and women in the family. Also our classmates have encouraged each member to read Jacob's Rite of Passage and to purchase it as gifts. We will be having a meeting on January 28th. I will ask how many have read the book and will email you their comments. Thank you.

Betty (class of 1967)


There were four members at the meeting who said they too enjoyed learning about Fayetteville as well as how strong young Jacob grew up to be, and he teaches all of us how to stay focused and determined to succeed in life regardless of the stumbling blocks. My hope is that you will soon write another. Your writings have encouraged my daughter to write a book about herself.

Betty (follow-up)


Clarence, I must say all three were enjoyable readings. The first, "Jacob Rite of Passage" brought to mind how many children were raised years ago, the oldest looking out for the younger siblings. "Teen Jacob, " spoke of how many teenage boys try to take over the role of an adult in many cases. "The Man Jacob" showed the progress of growth that lead into adulthood. I no longer have the books, because I passed them on to others. I'm proud to say I know someone who can express the feelings of so many in various stages of life. Keep up the gift that God gave you.

Jackie Felder


The Taylor-Thomas family would like to thank everyone for all their love and support. We are extremely proud of Brittany and her accomplishment. "It takes a village to raise a child," and this village should be very proud. We could not have done this alone. The love and support that Brittany has received from everyone will assist her in this next chapter in her life. Again Thank You!!

Valerie Taylor


“This book and the passage story is a must read! It captures some of the growing-up, real life experiences in the early life of Jacob. It reminds us of our Rite of Passage that we do not share often enough. We need to share more of these valuable experiences with our family and friends. This book leaves you wanting and waiting to read more. The author, Clarence Matthews did an excellent job with “School Days.”

Rev. Joseph L. Jones, Sr.
Senior Pastor
Monumental Baptist Church
Jersey City, NJ

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