Keeping Up with Roo

Sharlee Glen, Keeping Up with Roo (Putnam, 2004) Short, poignant story about growing up with a mentally challenged family member. Gracie and her Aunt Roo play together all the time when Gracie is younger, but when second grade rolls around, Gracie finds her time taken up by other things, and is embarrassed by Roo when a friend comes over. Tension comes to a satisfying, if predictable, conclusion. Must-read for families with kids in this situation; other children will enjoy the cheery illustrations and slightly above-average reading level if they like a challenge. *** ½

What a wonderful place this world would be if we could all be Gracies and recognize the joy of loving and accepting those different than ourselves. As I cried my way through this endearing and sensitive book, I hoped its message of love and acceptance could reach all people of all ages. Thank you Sharlee!

I loved this story about a girl growing out of and back into a love of her mentally challenged aunt. It made me cry out loud and almost wish I'd had an aunt like hers to show me the way.

This sweet story of a young girl and her mentally challenged aunt touched my heart and made me cry. My six year old son and I loved it!