Summer Reading for Adolescents: Understanding Alzheimer's and Dementia

Image Credit: JordanSonnenblick.com

[ABSTRACT]

The goal of most adolescents is to fit in with their peers, even if nursing aspirations that will set them apart from everyone else. But when a parent or grandparent has Alzheimer’s disease, young family members may find it impossible to “fit in” anymore. And the aspirations may have to take a back seat to familial needs. There is a growing list of young adult books that address these challenges with eloquence, humor and compassion.

All of the following books capture the essence of dealing with a sick parent or grandparent with cognitive impairment. These books can reassure young people that they are not alone, and they can help start conversations about Alzheimer’s within your family. These stories provide insights into the disease and how families maintain their relationships despite the inevitable losses in ability and memory.

CURVEBALL: THE YEAR I LOST MY GRIP

By Jordan Sonnenblick

Peter Friedman, a highly promising high school baseball player, has experienced a career-ending injury to his elbow. He is struggling to accept this loss, and worried about the impact it will have on his friendships. To add to his problems, his grandfather, his mentor and a professional photographer, is forgetting important things and acting strangely, but his parents seem not to see these changes. This is a story about giving up some dreams, forming new ones, and honing one’s sense of responsibility even in the face of adults’ denial.

For the full list of books visit: http://whiteoakcottages.com/summer-reading-for-middle-schoolers/