The Graduation of Jake Moon
by Barbara Park
Aladdin Paperbacks
(I listened to this as a book on tape performed by Fred Savage)
Summary: Jake Moon didn't think anything of it when his grandfather, Skelly, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. His grandfather would forget things, like any old person did, and they would all go on living their lives as normally. He was dead wrong though. He didn't realize that Alzheimer's was more than forgetting where you set the keys. It was putting your clothing in the freezer, your wet towels in the oven, and forgetting your own grandson's name. And most of all, embarrassing him in front of friends and school mates. Jake loved his grandfather but found it more and more difficult to watch after him, realizing suddenly all he was missing out on. He even stopped hanging out with his friends so they wouldn't find out and and tease him relentlessly. Jake felt guilty for resenting Skelly, but never as much as when he suddenly dissappears.
Personal Review: It was very interesting to hear about an Alzheimer's patient from the perspective of a young boy and how it affects him at home and school. This book first captured the audience with Skelly's loving personality before the disease which made it all the sadder as we watched as he was overcome by each stage and slowly forgot things and became more and more dependent. I found it to be a very touching and uplifting story and would recommend it to anybody, especially a child who may be going through something very similar.
by Barbara Park
Aladdin Paperbacks
(I listened to this as a book on tape performed by Fred Savage)
Summary: Jake Moon didn't think anything of it when his grandfather, Skelly, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. His grandfather would forget things, like any old person did, and they would all go on living their lives as normally. He was dead wrong though. He didn't realize that Alzheimer's was more than forgetting where you set the keys. It was putting your clothing in the freezer, your wet towels in the oven, and forgetting your own grandson's name. And most of all, embarrassing him in front of friends and school mates. Jake loved his grandfather but found it more and more difficult to watch after him, realizing suddenly all he was missing out on. He even stopped hanging out with his friends so they wouldn't find out and and tease him relentlessly. Jake felt guilty for resenting Skelly, but never as much as when he suddenly dissappears.
Personal Review: It was very interesting to hear about an Alzheimer's patient from the perspective of a young boy and how it affects him at home and school. This book first captured the audience with Skelly's loving personality before the disease which made it all the sadder as we watched as he was overcome by each stage and slowly forgot things and became more and more dependent. I found it to be a very touching and uplifting story and would recommend it to anybody, especially a child who may be going through something very similar.
This video clip explains about what happens in the brain during Alzheimer's disease and how it affects the person
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