The Graduation of Jake Moon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids 
First edition
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| Author | Barbara Park |
|---|---|
| Original title | The Graduation of Jake Moon |
| Illustrator | Paul Colin |
| Language | English |
| Subject | Teaching kids about Alzheimer's |
| Published | 2000, Atheneum Books |
| Pages | 128 |
| ISBN | 978-0-689-83912-2 |
The Graduation of Jake Moon is a powerful children's book written by Barbara Park. It was first published in 2000. This story is a good read for young people aged 12 to 15. It helps readers understand the challenges of a serious illness.
Story Overview
This novel tells the story of Jake Moon and his grandfather, Skelly. Jake and Skelly used to be very close. They spent many happy years together. But now, Skelly has Alzheimer's disease. This illness changes how a person thinks and remembers.
Because of Alzheimer's, everything in Jake's life has changed. It feels like Jake has become the adult. His grandfather, Skelly, now acts more like a child. Jake often feels like he has to take care of Skelly. This adds a lot of stress to Jake's own life.
One day, Jake feels like he cannot handle it anymore. He reacts in a way he later regrets. This leads to a big question: Is it too late for Jake to show his grandfather how much he cares? The book explores this question. It shows how Jake tries to make things right.
What People Thought
- Publishers Weekly gave this book a special review. They called it "memorable." They liked how the story was told by an eighth-grader. This student's grandfather has Alzheimer's disease.
- School Library Journal wrote about the book. They said it shows how difficult Alzheimer's disease is. It affects both the person who has it and their family. They also noted that the book is easy to read. This makes it appealing to many different readers.
