Two for Joy

April 20, 2015
With eight-year-old Jenna's great-aunt Tannie's health declining, Jenna and her mother decide that it's time that Tannie leave her Mississippi farm and move in with the two of them. But persuading Tannie takes work, as does adjusting to life with an older, ailing relative after Tannie agrees to join them in Virginia. Amateau makes each member of this three-generational family multidimensional; their love for each other is on full display, but the story doesn't sugarcoat the difficulties of caring for a relative whose strong will is sometimes at odds with a frail body. It's a sensitive account of a family coming together, and a solid resource for those facing similar decisions. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 7â9. Author's agent: Leigh Feldman, Leigh Feldman Literary.

April 1, 2015

Gr 1-4-At eight years old, Jenna dreams of being an Olympic soccer player. But when her Great-Aunt Tannie breaks her ankle and moves in with Jenna and her mother, things begin to change and not always for the better. Farm-girl Aunt Tannie isn't used to being treated like a fragile old lady, Grace is dealing with how to juggle taking care of her aunt and her daughter, and Jenna is learning how to adjust to being a little more independent and mature. In the end, the trio learn to control their tempers and let Tannie be the true judge of her abilities. Most importantly, they learn how to help one another and still have fun. Children will relate to this story. However, it offers up some deep, serious themes without devoting enough time to fully flesh them out. As a result, the characters are bland and not fully realized. Full-page black-and-white pencil-sketched illustrations are peppered throughout but do little to enhance the overall story. VERDICT Though the premise is charming, this title is ultimately a pass.-Paige Garrison, Aurora Central Public Library, CO

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 15, 2015
When feisty great-aunt Britannia falls and hurts herself for the fourth time in two years, 8-year-old Jenna and her mom, a nurse, invite "Tannie" to come and live with them. But the strong-willed, widowed Tannie, an avid birder who once could fly an airplane and ride a motorcycle, isn't quite ready to give up her Mississippi farm and move in with her beloved relatives in Virginia. Eventually Tannie relents. Although Jenna appreciates having her great-aunt's inspiring spirit nearby, soon Tannie's needs cut into the maternal attentiveness Jenna has come to expect. Learning to accept change and to ask for help become challenges for all of the characters, as transitioning into an intergenerational threesome is presented as an ongoing process. Amateau's experiences with caregiving and her work in the world of aging and disability services inform this mildly generic, timeless story. Refreshing aspects include an adventurous older female character striving to remain vital and the mutually respectful relationship between Jenna and her mother, who is the primary parent after divorce. A deceptively simple, warmhearted tale, particularly apt for chapter-book readers with similar experiences or an interest in multigenerational stories. (Fiction. 7-9)

June 1, 2015
Grades 1-4 In this quiet and thoughtful story about what it means to be a family, eight-year-old Jenna and her mother struggle to adjust when Jenna's beloved great-aunt Britannia, or Tannie, breaks her ankle and comes to live with them. Jenna had great fun visiting Tannie on her Mississippi farm, where Tannie tended her garden and chickens and drove a big truck and a motorcycle. But when Tannie arrives at Jenna's house in Virginia, Jenna's mother takes over and handles everything for Tannie. Without anything to do, Tannie's resentful and unhappy, and soon they're all getting on each other's nerves. Will Jenna's mother give up a little control so they can be a fun-loving family again? Children living in multigenerational families will relate to the dynamics, appreciating Jenna and Tannie's shared love of soccer and bird-watchingthey'll also be charmed by Tannie's adorable cat, Butt. Marble's pencil sketches scattered throughout the book, including Jenna's handwritten list of things to do After Tannie Comes, add warmth to the story.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)