by Mavis Jukes
First published 2002
Austin arrives at his grandmother's house carrying the weight of loss. Everything reminds him of Grandpa. The familiar objects remain in their places, but the man who gave them meaning is gone. Austin feels the hollow space where his grandfather's presence used to be. His grandmother grieves too, but she begins sharing stories about Grandpa that Austin has never heard. Through these moments of remembering together, Austin discovers that his grandfather's memory can bridge the gap between him and his grandmother. What starts as a painful visit becomes something deeper. Austin realizes that while he has lost his grandfather, he might be gaining a new closeness with his grandmother. The sharing of memories transforms their grief into connection.
Genres: literary-fiction, family-life, grief, contemporary
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, second-chance
Setting: Grandmother's House
48 pages · Library Binding · Knopf Books for Young Readers