BookBrowse Reviews Inside Grandad by Peter Dickinson

BookBrowse:

Magic hovers just beneath the surface of Dickinson's lyrical tale. Ages 9-12

The story is set in Scotland where Gavin spends most of his free time with his Grandad.   That is until his grandfather is hospitalized with a stroke.  Day after day at the hospital, Gavin tries to get through to his now helpless and speechless Grandad and even after everyone else has given up Gavin keeps trying.

Our children (then 8 and 10) enjoyed listening to this story, which I read to them at our morning 'reading parties' before school last year, and the storyline triggered a  number of interesting conversations about issues that concerned them. As adults, I think we tend to underestimate how aware, often concerned, many children can be about death and illness - subjects that many of us find almost as difficult, if not more difficult, to discuss with our children than sex!  Many of the euphemisms we use can be terribly confusing to children - for example putting a family pet 'to sleep'!

So, in short, I think this is a lovely book and well worth reading, and one that would be particularly valuable if your children are coping with the serious illness of a family member, elderly or otherwise.

Selected Reviews:
'Magic hovers just beneath the surface of Dickinson's lyrical tale.....The road to the hopeful but honest conclusion is thoughtful but never maudlin, and the insights the author offers will linger long after journey's end. Ages 9-12.' - Publishers Weekly.

This review first ran in the June 15, 2005 issue of BookBrowse Recommends.