Cousins
A three-part narrative develops several dimensions of Cammy's intimacy with Gram Tut whom she regularly visits in the nursing home. Gram emerges from this physical containment to become the central dynamic in the family's effort to release Cammy from depression following her witnessing of the accidental death of a cousin during a summer outing. Cammy learns to welcome life's "winters" from Gram and to "... take what comes. Put a focus on ... each little thing ... Just one thing at a time. That's how it's done. Always be ready ..." It's clear that Gram Tut is ready; and, at the close of the brief partially surrealistic narrative, so is her granddaughter. Regardless of the swirl of sudden change, the depth of one's grief and the feeling one will certainly drown, life possibility is always at hand midst the complexities of event and emotion. A powerful story within the emotional and technical reach of young readers. ©1990 Cooperative Children's Book Center
CCBC Age Recommendation: Ages 8-12
Age Range:
Grades 3-5 (Ages 8-10)
Grades 6-8 (Ages 11-13)
Format:
Novel
Subjects:
African Americans
Death and Dying
Depression
Families
Feelings/Emotions
Grandmothers
Grief and Loss
Diversity subject:
Black/African
Psychiatric Disability/Condition
Publisher:
Philomel
Publish Year: 1990
Pages: 125
ISBN: 0399221646
CCBC Location: Fiction, Hamilton