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Why Grandma Doesn't Know Me
Sixteen-year-old Natalie’s grandmother, suffering from dementia and confined to a wheelchair, lives in a nursing home and rarely recognizes Natalie. But one Halloween night, she tells her a shocking secret that only she and Natalie’s mother know. Natalie is the product of a one-night stand between her mother, who is a college English teacher, and another professor.
After some research, Natalie learns that people with dementia often have vivid memories of past events. Still not wanting to believe what her grandmother has told her, she finds her biological father online. The resemblance between them is undeniable. Not knowing what else to do, she shows his photo and website to her parents.
Natalie realizes she has some growing up to do. Scared and confused, she reaches out to her biological father, and they start corresponding.
Her younger sister, Sarah, senses their parents’ marital difficulties. At Thanksgiving, when she has an opportunity to see Santa Claus, she asks him to bring them together again. Can the jolly old elf grant her request?
After some research, Natalie learns that people with dementia often have vivid memories of past events. Still not wanting to believe what her grandmother has told her, she finds her biological father online. The resemblance between them is undeniable. Not knowing what else to do, she shows his photo and website to her parents.
Natalie realizes she has some growing up to do. Scared and confused, she reaches out to her biological father, and they start corresponding.
Her younger sister, Sarah, senses their parents’ marital difficulties. At Thanksgiving, when she has an opportunity to see Santa Claus, she asks him to bring them together again. Can the jolly old elf grant her request?
253 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 4, 2021
4 people want to read
About the author
Abbie Johnson Taylor
10 books9 followersAbbie Johnson Taylor is the author of three novels, two poetry collections, and a memoir. Her short stories and poems have appeared in various journals and anthologies. She is visually impaired and lives in Sheridan, Wyoming, where for six years, she cared for her late husband, who was totally blind and partially paralyzed by two strokes soon after they were married.
Before that, she spent fifteen years as a registered music therapist, working in nursing homes and other facilities that serve senior citizens. She also taught Braille, facilitated a support group for the visually impaired, and served on the advisory board to a trust fund that allows people with blindness or low vision to purchase adaptive equipment. Please visit her website at https://www.abbiejohnsontaylor.com
Before that, she spent fifteen years as a registered music therapist, working in nursing homes and other facilities that serve senior citizens. She also taught Braille, facilitated a support group for the visually impaired, and served on the advisory board to a trust fund that allows people with blindness or low vision to purchase adaptive equipment. Please visit her website at https://www.abbiejohnsontaylor.com
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 11, 2025
It’s been several months since a novel has managed to capture my interest/attention so fully, to the point where I feel immersed in its universe, thus Abbie Johnson Taylor’s “Why Grandma Doesn’t Know Me” did the trick. It makes you want to get into the reading bug again!
What a captivating novel! From the very beginning, I was completely hooked. The situations depicted are so realistic that they could easily be mistaken for nonfiction.
One of the novel’s standout features is how it alternates between the perspectives of different characters, such as Marty, Daryl, and Bill. The narrator, Ella Rescigno, does an outstanding job voicing each character and scene, making the story feel incredibly vivid.
Notably, the perspectives of younger characters like Sarah (a preteen) and Natalie (a teenager) provide a layered and authentic look at how such a shocking revelation impacts every member of the family.
The novel also excels in its portrayal of complex family and social dynamics, which adds depth and relatability to the story.
Having read other works by Abbie Johnson Taylor, including The Red Dress and her nonfiction memoir My Ideal Partner , I can confidently say this book deserves a full 5 out of 5 stars on Goodreads. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys emotionally engaging and thought-provoking family dramas.
What a captivating novel! From the very beginning, I was completely hooked. The situations depicted are so realistic that they could easily be mistaken for nonfiction.
One of the novel’s standout features is how it alternates between the perspectives of different characters, such as Marty, Daryl, and Bill. The narrator, Ella Rescigno, does an outstanding job voicing each character and scene, making the story feel incredibly vivid.
Notably, the perspectives of younger characters like Sarah (a preteen) and Natalie (a teenager) provide a layered and authentic look at how such a shocking revelation impacts every member of the family.
The novel also excels in its portrayal of complex family and social dynamics, which adds depth and relatability to the story.
Having read other works by Abbie Johnson Taylor, including The Red Dress and her nonfiction memoir My Ideal Partner , I can confidently say this book deserves a full 5 out of 5 stars on Goodreads. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys emotionally engaging and thought-provoking family dramas.
April 29, 2025
I bought this book since I'd read good things about it. Yet in no way did it match what I remembered.
I expected a book which would help a younger family member understand Grandma's dementia, even if it needed a little parental help to get through it.
What this is, is an interesting story for a teen, which hops from parent to parent to teenager for pov chapters. This got so irritating I gave up, but it seemed far more about the mother's one-night stand and the teen coming to terms with that, with a few side shots about grandma's memory lapses.
If it is recommended for a middle-grader, beware. Do you really want him or her to get bogged down with either parent's view and emotions of a one night stand breaking up their marriage? Maybe an older child in the situation might benefit, but it's hardly to do with dementia.
I expected a book which would help a younger family member understand Grandma's dementia, even if it needed a little parental help to get through it.
What this is, is an interesting story for a teen, which hops from parent to parent to teenager for pov chapters. This got so irritating I gave up, but it seemed far more about the mother's one-night stand and the teen coming to terms with that, with a few side shots about grandma's memory lapses.
If it is recommended for a middle-grader, beware. Do you really want him or her to get bogged down with either parent's view and emotions of a one night stand breaking up their marriage? Maybe an older child in the situation might benefit, but it's hardly to do with dementia.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews