February 15, 2022
Grades 5-8 "Grandpa didn't recognize me today." This heartbreaking statement opens Dalton's tale of 13-year-old Archie, whose beloved grandfather has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's. No longer able to ignore the symptoms, Archie is desperate to slow down Grandpa's memory loss. That's when he remembers the fantasy adventures they used to share and decides to revive them. Soon the two are battling dragons, but the success of this strategy is only temporary. In the meantime, Archie and his friends are given a major school assignment: write an essay and mount a display about their future. Archie secretly hopes that his future might involve lovely Desta, on whom he has a major crush, but he is afraid to make a move. As for the assignment, he hasn't a clue what topic to choose. What does he want to make of his life? And what to make of this book? Its first half is rather tepid, but it is redeemed by a dramatic second half that will deeply involve--and move--its readers. An important subject and one that, altogether, is well handled.
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December 1, 2021
Archie is devastated by his beloved grandfather's Alzheimer's and makes up fantasy adventures for the two of them to share. Eighth grader Archie and his mother live with his Grandpa; Archie's father left before he was born, and Grandma Ella has passed away. Grandpa is a Vietnam veteran, a retired firefighter who had many adventures but hid secrets about distressing aspects of his life. He wrote diligently in his private journal about good times and bad. Grandpa finally passes the journal on to Archie--with a promise that he only look at the entries he marked. As Grandpa's Alzheimer's worsens, Archie is determined to do everything he can to keep him functioning, and he spins fantastical tales that include dragons and pirates. But even Archie realizes that these episodes won't solve the real problem. Archie's love also takes the form of a school project relaying Grandpa's life story; he even finds a woman whom Grandpa rescued from a fire. Interactions with his peers provide an important catalyst for Archie's growing maturity. The combination of fantasy and realism is not always successful, and the imagined stories feel like interruptions. However, the grandfather-grandson relationship is heartfelt, and the middle school friendships are convincing. Whiteness is assumed as the default for Archie and his family; his friend group is described as racially diverse. A touching story about intergenerational love that doesn't quite come together. (author's note) (Fiction. 10-14)
COPYRIGHT(2021) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
February 25, 2022
Gr 5-8-Eighth grader Archie and his grandfather have an exceptionally close relationship. Archie and his mother have lived at his grandfather's house his whole life, and the older man is the closest thing to a father Archie has ever known. He's shocked when his grandfather does not recognize him one morning, and the family is devastated by his ultimate Alzheimer's diagnosis. Archie and his mother have very different ways of coping with his Grandpa's memory loss; his mother avoids thinking about it, dating so often Archie can't keep track of her dates' names. Archie is frequently left alone "in charge" of his grandfather. On bad days, when his grandfather is disoriented, Archie revives an old game the two used to play of reenacting adventures, sometimes using his grandfather's journal entries for prompts. This tactic ultimately backfires, and makes Archie realize there is little he can do to help slow the disease. Balancing a complex home life with school is sometimes challenging for Archie; he is navigating typical 13-year-old challenges around crushes and identity while carrying a larger burden. His supportive friend group helps ground Archie, keeping him a relatable character learning to navigate his feelings and relationships. This poignant novel explores complex and difficult issues with hope and humor. Characters' evolving feelings and self-realization are realistically portrayed, as are conflict and resolutions between characters. The fantasy sections of the book, where Charlie and his grandfather reenact adventures, are imaginatively written and provide readers, along with Charlie and his grandfather, a respite from the heartbreak of watching Grandpa deteriorate. Charlie and his family are white. Charlie's best friend is Japanese and Hawaiian, his friend Desta's parents immigrated from Ethiopia, and his friend Kamiko is Japanese American. VERDICT This novel sensitively explores difficult issues with hope and warmth, creating believable characters readers will care about.-Juliet Morefield
Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
May 1, 2022
Thirteen-year-old Archie Reese and his grandfather have a morning routine, always "the same conversation, to get the day started right." But one morning, Grandpa doesn't recognize Archie. After Grandpa is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, Archie hopes he can "bring the real Raymond Reese back." Using Grandpa's old journals from his firefighting days, Archie creates role-playing games with quests for the two to share. In their first foray, our heroes are armed, cloaked, and ready for action in a backyard kingdom, where the woods beyond become a fantasy realm, an ordinary building becomes the duke's manor, a cave is the site of hidden gold, and the garage is the dragon to be slain. Grandpa plays his role well, and the quest is successful, but as the disease progresses, their efforts begin to fail. Archie is devastated but accepts that fantasy must give way to reality and ultimately finds a way to celebrate Grandpa's life. Archie is a believably drawn, likable protagonist -- kind to his grandfather, enthusiastic in English and history classes, and shy about getting to know pretty classmate Desta Senai. Dalton sensitively delineates the complexities of loss, hope, and love in this unusually rich and philosophical middle-grade novel. Back matter includes an author's note explaining the story's inspiration. Dean Schneider
(Copyright 2022 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)
January 1, 2022
Thirteen-year-old Archie Reese and his grandfather have a morning routine, always "the same conversation, to get the day started right." But one morning, Grandpa doesn't recognize Archie. After Grandpa is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, Archie hopes he can "bring the real Raymond Reese back." Using Grandpa's old journals from his firefighting days, Archie creates role-playing games with quests for the two to share. In their first foray, our heroes are armed, cloaked, and ready for action in a backyard kingdom, where the woods beyond become a fantasy realm, an ordinary building becomes the duke's manor, a cave is the site of hidden gold, and the garage is the dragon to be slain. Grandpa plays his role well, and the quest is successful, but as the disease progresses, their efforts begin to fail. Archie is devastated but accepts that fantasy must give way to reality and ultimately finds a way to celebrate Grandpa's life. Archie is a believably drawn, likable protagonist -- kind to his grandfather, enthusiastic in English and history classes, and shy about getting to know pretty classmate Desta Senai. Dalton sensitively delineates the complexities of loss, hope, and love in this unusually rich and philosophical middle-grade novel. Back matter includes an author's note explaining the story's inspiration.
(Copyright 2022 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)