If I Forget, You Remember

by Carol Lynch Williams

Sixth grade is over and Elyse Donaldson is ready for a perfect summer. She's going to read her favorite books and write her first novel. She's even determined to get along with her older sister, Jordyn. But her plans quickly unravel.



Granny's Alzheimer's is getting worse. So she moves in with Elyse, Jordyn, and their mom, and the girls watch over her while their mother is at work. Sometimes she's fine, but sometimes she slides into the past and doesn't even recognize Elyse. It's frightening to realize that her beloved grandmother is slowly slipping away. Then Elyse gets involved in a neighborhood newspaper, and her mom starts dating for the first time since her father died. Elyse doesn't think she can stand any more changes, any more loss, but she's a lot stronger than she knows. This is the summer she'll learn to stand up for herself and to help the grandmother who has always helped her.


From the Hardcover edition.

Genres: Fiction, Middle Grade, Childrens, Realistic Fiction, Young Adult

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Carol Lynch Williams is the author of more than 30 books for middle grade and young adult readers. Her novels include The Chosen One, Never that Far, Messenger and Never Said. Her most recent book is the novelization of the movie Once I Was a Beehive. Carol has an MFA from Vermont College in Writing for Children and Young Adults and teaches creative writing at BYU. She runs Writing and Illustrating for Young Readers, a week-long writing conference for the not-faint-of-heart writer (www.wifyr.com). As well she is a mentor for those who want to write for kids and teens. Her best creative effort, however, are her five daughters.

Reviews

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't need to read the summary to know this would be about Alzheimer's. The cover and the title told me plenry.

I was a little younger than Elyse when my grandpa started getting bad, forgetting things. And although I was young and didn't understand most of what was happening, I do remember feeling much like Elyse did.

So this story hits pretty close to home, even now, seven years later.

[Kami · Rating 2 out of 5]

- This story wasn't as inspiring and emotional as other books by this author, so I was a little disappointed.

- It would be hard to have someone in your family have Alzheimer's. I don't know how I would react or treat that person. To be honest, I would probably keep my distance because I was afraid or felt awkward.

- I loved that this took place in Orem!! I live in Orem, so it was fun when the book mentioned places in my town. The Orem Library and it's beautiful windows made an appearance in the story.

- Elyse was a fun character, but she was a little snot at times. She was only 12, and she definitely acted like it, so I guess I'm happy about that. I don't like books where the kid seems way older than they are.

- The relationship between Elyse and her grandmother was a touching one. I never really had grandparents, so I really appreciated what Elyse had and was losing.

- I wish there had been more emotion. I love books that make me feel, and this didn't make me feel much.

- Besides a 12 year old girl dealing with a grandmother with AD, there wasn't a lot that went on. Elyse helped some friends with a neighborhood newspaper, and there was a couple bullies, but not a whole lot happened in the book. There wasn't much of a plot. It was just life!

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book about a girl during summer break from 5th grade
She starts up a neighborhood newspaper with 2 of her friends
her grandmother has alzhimer's and it shows how it feels for a young girl to be embarrassed in public when her grandmother slips into the past
very discriptive
pretty good

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a delightful story. Elyse is in the sixth grade when her grandmother comes to live with her. Granny who has Alzheimer. Life is now different in the house yet for the better. A good read for all. Loved it.

[Laurie D'ghent · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful book about Alzheimer's from a tween's perspective. Lost a star for some swearing and "anatomy talk" (it wasn't inappropriate, but I remember being terribly embarrassed by it until I was at least 20).
Plus, those two little boys need to be punched in the neck

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've always wanted a relationship with my grandparents like the one Elyse has with hers. I loved this story most for that part. Also, it's such a true coming of age story. None of it ever felt unreal and unrealistic about what I remember from being Elyse's age.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite book from my children's lit class, and its set in UTAH!