Don't breathe a word by Marianne Musgrove
Random
House, 2009.
(Age 8-12) Recommended. Mackenzie and Tahlia have been bought up by
their
grandfather
- Pirate (because of his sunken chest!) however one day they arrive
home from
school to find that grandpa had had a fall and couldn't remember
entirely how
he came to be where they found him. Realising the seriousness of what
has
occurred but also fearing for a change in their circumstances if they
allow
people to find out about grandpa they agree to keep grandpa's fall a
secret
between themselves. This would be fine if Tahlia didn't continually
have to go
off to dancing class and Mackenzie wasn't left alone to cope with
grandpa's
strange behaviour. Eventually grandpa puts himself in extreme danger
and the
girls have no choice but to allow grandpa the help he needs.
This
is an excellent novel dealing with dementia and the effect it has on
those
involved. It sensitively portrays the deterioration of the sufferer and
the
increasing concerns of those around them.
This
is the third novel written by South Australian author Marianne
Musgrove, with
The Worry Tree and Lucy the Good
preceding this title.
Tracy
Glover