Synopses & Reviews
Life hasn't been the same for Jake Moon since his grandfather, Skelly, got Alzheimer's disease. At first Jake thought, no big deal, it was just a disease that made old people forget where they put their car keys. But he was wrong. It is a big deal. A very big deal.
For one thing, he can't invite friends over because Skelly might do something embarrassing like tell them to zipper their "briskets," or Jake might reach into the freezer for a can of frozen orange juice and find Skelly's frozen pajamas there instead. He used to love spending time with his grandfather...but now he is mostly stuck fastening the Velcro on Skelly's sneakers, or wiping rice off his chin. It's like all of a sudden he's the grown-up, and Skelly's the kid. How can the one person Jake could always count on be fading as fast as -- well, as the moon.
Barbara Park, one of today's most popular and versatile authors, has created a funny, honest, and unforgettable portrait of a boy struggling to understand this debilitating disease and graduate to a more sympathetic and accepting relationship with his beloved grandfather.
Synopsis
Life hasn't been the same for Jake Moon since his grandfather, Skelly, got Alzheimer's disease. At first Jake thought, no big deal, it was just a disease that made old people forget where they put their car keys. But he was wrong. It is a big deal. A
very big deal.
For one thing, he can't invite friends over because Skelly might do something embarrassing like tell them to zipper their "briskets," or Jake might reach into the freezer for a can of frozen orange juice and find Skelly's frozen pajamas there instead. He used to love spending time with his grandfather...but now he is mostly stuck fastening the Velcro on Skelly's sneakers, or wiping rice off his chin. It's like all of a sudden he's the grown-up, and Skelly's the kid. How can the one person Jake could always count on be fading as fast as -- well, as the moon.
Barbara Park, one of today's most popular and versatile authors, has created a funny, honest, and unforgettable portrait of a boy struggling to understand this debilitating disease and graduate to a more sympathetic and accepting relationship with his beloved grandfather.
About the Author
Barbara Park is one of today's funniest and most popular authors for middle-graders. Her many successful novels include
Mick Harte Was Here, which received fifteen state Children's Choice awards, including the Texas Bluebonnet Award;
The Kid in the Red Jacket; and
Skinnybones. She is also the best-selling author of the Junie B. Jones books, and
Psssst...It's Me, the Bogeyman, a picture book.
Ms. Park lives in Scottsdale, Arizona, with her husband, Richard.
Table of Contents
ContentsChapter 1: The Twist
Chapter 2: Thor, God of Thunder
Chapter 3: Be-hinds and Other Family Matters
Chapter 4: Lucky Duck
Chapter 5: Just Say No
Chapter 6: The Nut
Chapter 7: The Pearl
Chapter 8: Sinking and Floating
Chapter 9: Officer Happy
Chapter 10: Sherman Kelly
Chapter 11: Candle Burns
Chapter 12: Graduation Boy
Reading Group Guide
A GUIDE FOR READING GROUPS
THE GRADUATION OF JAKE MOON
By Barbara Park
ABOUT THE BOOK
Fourteen-year-old Jake Moon recalls the last four years of life with his beloved grandfather who has Alzheimer's disease.
THEMES
Alzheimer's disease; Grandfathers; Families; Responsibilities; School stories
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- Do you understand how Jake can be so embarrassed by yet still love his grandfather? How would you react?
- How would your life change if someone in your family required constant care because of Alzheimer's? For what other reasons would someone require care?
- Why do Jake and his cousin James not get along? What do they not understand about each other?
ACTIVITIES
- Using the contact information at the end of the book, begin to find out more about Alzheimer's disease.
- If there is a local Alzheimer's care center in the area, invite a caseworker, caregiver, or a family member to share their experiences and knowledge.
- Contact the local police department and television stations to discover how they approach a missing family member. What do they both need and how does their help differ?
Please visit http://www.emporia.edu/libsv/wawbookaward/ for more information about the awards and to see curriculum guides for other master list titles.
This reading group guide is for classroom, library, and reading group use. It may be reproduced in its entirety or excerpted for these purposes.
Prepared by Julie Tomlianovich, South Central KS Library System
© William Allen White Children's Book Award