Sticky Notes

Gr 5–8—Foster Sumner, 10, enjoys tadpole hunting, school, playing with toy soldiers, and his dad's stories. That is, until Dad's stories start having holes in them, and Dad starts forgetting more and more. When his father goes to the store and buys cat food instead of dog food, the family nervously laughs; the cat died five years ago. Things become less funny as Foster's dad becomes more confused, gets lost, and can't function in his job. Foster's mom and aunt butt heads over the care of his dad, as his mom juggles two jobs and the care of the family. The family hopes that by putting sticky notes on everything in the house, dad will remember what things are and what they are used for. Unfortunately, Foster's family keeps him out of the loop in regards to what is going on with his father, and Foster reacts by misbehaving at school and at home. The young boy is left to wonder what is happening; he is scared by his dad's behavior and anger, and by his mom's lack of empathy with him. Heartbreakingly realistic, but perhaps too much so, there is little to smile about as Foster's dad seems to slip farther and farther away. Lindsey Stoddard's Just Like Jackie, which also deals with Alzheimer's disease, may be more accessible for most young readers.