The Graduation of Jake Moon (Aladdin Fiction)

Rating:
Summary: laugh & cry at the same time
Review: Does your family ever embarrass you in front of your friends?

Jake's grandfather Skelly does in "The Graduation of Jake Moon" by Barbara Park. But Skelly can't help it because he has Alzheimer's. This is a disease when the brain plays funny tricks on old people and they think they're living in the past or don't even know where that are. At times, Skelly thinks Jake is Claude Harper, his childhood friend, instead of his grandson.

Jake and his mom have lived with his grandfather since he was a baby. He loves his grandfather dearly and has millions of great memories of their happy times together. But now Jake is in 8th grade and his grandfather acts strange in front of his friends. Sometimes the peer pressure is too much for Jake. (p. 17)

"The day I started fourth grade, I went to get a can of orange juice and found Skelly's pajamas in the freezer. It might sound funny. ... A few days later, when I brought my new best friend, Lucas Carney, home from school, there was a little note on the freezer in Skelly's handwriting. It said, THIS IS NOT THE HAMPER. Lucas looked at it. Then at me. I tried to laugh it off. "Oh that. That's just some stupid joke between Ma and me," I said. To distract him, I poured us something to drink. But just as I was handing Lucas his glass, we both noticed a piece of material sticking out the top of the oven door. Lucas pulled it open. Inside, on the top rack, were two wet sheets. "Is this another joke between your mother and you, or do you guys dry your sheets in the oven?" he asked."

Jake tries his best to manage pressures from school and friends, as well as sharing the care-giving responsibilities at home. The typical teenage sarcasm in Jake's replies makes this book marvelously funny. But it's also a tear-jerker with how much Jake's grandfather means to him. It had me laughing and crying, sometimes even at the same time, through the entire story.

What would you do if your grandfather embarrassed you in front of your friends? What if his behavior was beyond his control? Jake and his family are beside themselves with worry when Skelly wonders off and is missing for days? Then comes the biggest day of Jake's life ... 8th grade graduation! What is Skelly going to do now? How will Jake react this time?

Rating:
Summary: Clap, Clap, Clap
Review: I applaud Barbara Park for tackling this subject.

This middle-grade novel is a realistic portrayal of a single parent/only child family caring for a grandfather with Alzheimer's. That's a lot to tackle in one little book. And Park does it with grace and humor, although a few tears may roll as well.

My heart broke over Jake all through the book but I was cheering him on at the end. It's not a particularly cheerful book but it will stay with you and mean something to you for a long time to come.

In those darker moments I loved Jake's account of reading The Pearl by Steinbeck for a book report. He talked about how depressing it was, etc., which gave me hope that Park knew what she was doing and would be able to end this book in a realistically, yet somewhat cheerful way. She did.

Rating:
Summary: Graduation of Jake Moon, The
Review: I feel this is a very good book it is about a kid who has a very weird and lively grandfather. Then he finds out his grandfather has Alzheimer's. This Changes everything in jakes life especially because he has to live with him. Jake's mom say she will make his life as normal as everyone else's. But it just doesn't work out every time he has a friend over something weird happens and Jake doesn't play sports because he is embarrassed to take his grandfather anywhere. This book will make you want to help other with the Alzheimer's Diseases.

Rating:
Summary: Graduation of Jake Moon
Review: I had heard of Alzheimer's on the news but never read a novel about it until The Graduation of Jake Moon. When Jake's lively and heroic grandfather Skelly is diagnosed with Alzheimer's, it changes everything, though his mother says she will try to keep his life normal. At first it seems like nothing can harm Skelly, but bit by bit Jake's life is spun around, reversing the roles of grandfather and grandson. This is a read which will make you feel for those who live with Alzheimer's patients and the utter helplessness which accompanies it.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful
Review: I think that the book is a thoughtful and well-written look into the world of Alzheimer's disease. Many children will be able to relate to Jake and the things happening in his life. Jake has to quickly learn how to act like an adult and caregiver. Many children face situations like these. Barbara Park shows how Jake's mother tries to cope with her father diseases as well as her son's reaction to the new way of life for them all. I like this book so much because Jake could be any child, anywhere. The characters are easily liked and identified with by the reader.
The only complaint that I find with the book is that the children in the story rarely face consequences for their actions. Many wrongful actions go unnoticed. Overall the actions and situations in the story can be helpful teaching tools when discussing real life situations with children. Jake slowly realizes throughout the book that his grandfather's illness affects everyone, not just him. This is an important lesson for all children to learn.

Rating:
Summary: This is the greatest book in the world!
Review: I think this book is really the best book ever. It is about a boy whos grandfather has a desiese. Its also about how this boys love for his grandfather. I would rate this book 10000 Stars if i could. THis book is a page turner. I promise that.

Rating:
Summary: The Graduation Of Jake Moon
Review: This book is a VERY good book because it has different things that happen. Jake Moon came to live with his grandfather when he was just a little boy. He was so in couraing and helpful. When Jake was about 8 yrs old, they found out that he had Alzheimer's.
This really changed Jake's life.Jake cannot have friends over or anything! I recomend this book for anyone all ages.

Rating:
Summary: A brave book!
Review: To parents: Has Alzheimer's touched your family yet? As we baby boomers and our parents age, it's more likely than not to do so. It's difficult enough to watch your own, once proud and independent parent struggle with this horrible illness (I know, I have), but how are you going to explain it to your children? Jake Moon's story is one that perhaps all families can use as a starting point for discussion. Jake's fears, frustrations, anger, and love for and about his grandfather, Skelly, are presented with honesty and a touch of humor in this important and perfect tale...

To the kids: Meet Jake Moon - a regular kid (just like you) who loves his family, but, Boy! They sure can be a pain sometimes (just like yours)! Especially his grandfather, Skelly, who USED to be so great to live with. Now that Skelly is sick, Jake has to babysit him. And Skelly does the most embarassing things all the time! How can Jake get on with being a regular kid with all this going on his life? The Graduation of Jake Moon is funny, truthful, and a story you will remember for a long, long time. Be prepared to root for both Jake and Skelly, because you'll love them both!