A Name on the Quilt: A Story of Remembrance by Jeannine Atkins

by Jeannine Atkins

Several months have passed since Uncle Ron died, and Lauren's family and Ron's friends are making a quilt panel in his memory. As they select fabric for the letters of his name, they talk about the things that made Ron special. And at the end of the day, Lauren wraps herself in the quilt panel the way Uncle Ron used to wrap her in his arms. A moving story of remembrance for friends and family of anyone who has been lost to AIDS. Full color.

Genres: Picture Books, Realistic Fiction, Childrens

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Jeannine Atkins is the author of Finding Wonders: Three Girls Who Changed Science, Grasping Mysteries: Girls Who Loved Math, and Little Woman in Blue: A Novel of May Alcott. She teaches in the MFA program at Simmons College. You can learn more on her website at http://www.Jeannineatkins.com.

Reviews

[Erin Ramai · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Name on the Quilt: A Story of Remembrance is appropriate for students in grades 2-5.

I liked this book in that it addressed the death of a family member in a mostly positive way. Several months after Lauren’s Uncle Ron dies, the majority of the family reunites to make a quilt panel in remembrance—all except for grandpa. His reason for non-attendance is that he can’t sew, but adult readers can infer that he disapproved of Uncle Ron’s life choices. Ron was a homosexual and the grandfather did not attend his memorial service either. However, the book does not explain this. The reader must infer by piecing together the end note and the story. Each piece of the quilt panel is chosen because it somehow reminds the characters of Ron, his green eyes, swimming at the lake on Saturdays, his hiking shirt. Michael, who is barely referred to as Ron’s roommate, through the mention of his belongings and stories about Ron, is actually Ron’s partner. But again, the book fails to clarify. The book is too subtle to fulfill its intended purpose, especially with a child audience. The only direct reference to AIDS is in the end note which explains the AIDS Memorial Quilt and the NAMES Project. I don’t feel that a book needs to be heavy handed in its approach to delicate topics, but it shouldn’t avoid the issue altogether. To me, avoidance seems like a lack of acceptance. And I highly doubt the authors were aiming to achieve such a mediocre response when the subject matter has such potential for a powerful impact.

This book could have introduced the topics of AIDS and death to a young audience in a very meaningful way, but sadly, key details that would have clarified intent were left out.

[RaiseThemRighteous · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Name on the Quilt (1999), published by Antheneum Books, was written by Jeannine Atkins and illustrated by Tad Hills. Simple, but warm illustrations face evocative text that describes the family and friends of Ron, a man who passed away from AIDS complications, sewing a quilt to memorialize him.

The story is told from the point-of-view of Ron's niece, a young girl named Lauren. Lauren, her parents, grandmother, and little brother, all gather, along with three of her uncle’s friends, to work on the quilt.

Making the quilt brings memories of her uncle to the surface. Lauren and Ron had a very close relationships; she recalls swimming in ponds, ice skating on them, dancing and laughing, with her uncle.

As the group makes the quilt, Lauren takes her negative feelings out on her little brother. She doesn’t think he understands how serious their project is, but she eventually realizes he is mourning too.

This story of love and loss beautifully captures the pain of mourning and does a wonderful job making the important work of memorializing present throughout.

Although Ron’s family and friends are clearly participating in a community ritual by making the quilt, the story is deeply personal, only subtly gesturing towards the AIDS Memorial Quilt as a social and political project. However, information on deaths related to AIDS complications and the AIDS Memorial Quilt Project are discussed in the back-matter.

This is a wonderful book about grieving loved ones that also introduces an important form of community activism and collective memorializing. As described on the AIDS Memorial Quilt Project website, the quilt is "a powerful visual reminder of the AIDS pandemic".

I recommend A Name on the Quilt for personal and school libraries. Although almost twenty years old, the book remains relevant and is a sensitive, age-appropriate discussions of the themes mentioned in my review. The content and fairly text-heavy style make it most appropriate for children over five-years-old.

[Earl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful picture book of remembering a loved one lost to AIDS. Heartbreaking and heartwarming.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully done picture book about children missing their beloved Uncle Ron and helping to make the quilt panel as they remember all the good times they had shared with him, swimming, skating, dancing, eating and laughing. And now with family and friends, they are all sewing and sharing their loving memories.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

As Lauren and her extended family are sitting down together to make a quilt square in honor of Uncle Ron who died of AIDS, they talk about their memories of Ron.

[Christine Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary: A family reminisces while gathered together to make a panel for the AIDS Memorial Quilt in memory of a beloved uncle.

[Julie Darling · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really fantastic story about remembering a loved one who has passed. Based on the quilts created to commemorate people who have passed away from AIDS through the NAMES Project Memorial Quilt.

[Gef · Rating 5 out of 5]

very cute but moving story.. short to the point.. good opener for little ones...