Literature, art, philosophy, history, religion: you never know what you might end up discussing if you spend a few hours with Jacob Kriger.

The 13-year-old, who was born in Israel to a Russian family and also lived for a short while in Norway, came to Canada seven years ago. He and his family live on Limberlost Road with a menagerie of animals: three dogs,  three cats, two parrots and some chickens.

Since completing Grade 6 at Irwin Memorial Public School, Kriger has been studying at home with various tutors. Although officially in Grade 8, he is currently taking high school-level courses online while working part-time for his parents’ company, Kriger  Research Group International, which prepares university graduates to work in the clinical research industry.

One of Kriger’s main interests is writing.

“I’m not a true writer, though,” he says modestly. “A true writer has to get at least one good work done.”

Some would disagree with him, like the judges of the Dorset Snowball young writers’ contest, which Kriger won in 2005.

His entry was the last chapter of a 25-page science fiction tale, and he is quite proud of it.

“It’s the first thing I ever really accomplished,” he notes.  

At the time he received some some positive feedback from local writer Mel Malton. “She was surprised someone so young wrote it and gave me some direction,” he says.

Kriger has also written a “funny, criticizing book” of essays taking aim at American life.

Right now, the young writer is working on a book about a British family. “It’s a bit like My Family and Other Animals,” he explains. “I really like that book.”

When asked what else he enjoys reading, Kriger says he is a Harry Potter fan. Some of his other favourites are Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea by Jules Verne, The Idiot by Dostoyevsky and Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes.

“I would love to write something like that,” he says.

He notes that he actually reads more online articles and stories than books.  

Kriger also loves art. “I don’t make art, I admire art,” he clarifies. “Like Van Gogh’s cornfields and the Mona Lisa by Da Vinci. I like how Van Gogh’s style is childish — he’s not a bad artist, he’s trying to be childish. And I like to think about all the secrets people say are behind the Mona Lisa.”

Then the talk turns to his other hobbies.

“Like any 13-year-old, I love video games,” he says, adding that he wishes there were more games allowing players to learn and be entertained at the same time.

For example, he enjoys the game Age of Empires. “You get to replay the major battle fought by Napoleon at Waterloo,” he explains. “I learned a lot.”

When asked what other kinds of games he would like to see, he answers, “A virtual world where you go see Socrates, that would be a good experience. Socrates is my favourite philosopher.”

While elaborating on his fascination with philosophy, history, and mythology, Kriger says, “Humans could do better than they are now. Why do we have wars? Why are people aggressive?”

Kriger has thought a great deal about religion as well, and it disturbs him that so many people have died in the name of religion. “I’m not Christian or Jewish,” he says. “I believe in God.”

As for his future, Kriger doesn’t want to narrow his  options too far. “Life would be dull for me if I focussed on only one thing,” he says.

He adds that the expectations of young people often cause problems. “People should be what they want to be, not what their parents or teachers want,” he explains.

After another moment’s reflection, the soft-spoken boy says, “I always wanted to do more exciting things, like skydiving or bungee jumping.” A twinkle comes into his eye as he adds, “My mom wouldn’t be a big fan of that, though.”