Visiting Grandma

Rating:
Summary: A powerful novel!
Review: Growing up is never easy. For Danny Bowman, growing up is not only that but also a day to day battle just to survive physically and psychologically.

Whilst coming to accept his own 'gay' sexuality, thirteen-years-old Danny also struggles to come to terms with the knowledge his beloved grandmother, the only adult giving him any sense of security in his short life, is becoming lost to him through Alzheimer's. From having a grandmother who gave him love and self-worth, Danny must painfully grapple with the awareness that their relationship equates now only to 'the long goodbye.'

But Danny grapples not only with the lost of his grandmother. The current boyfriend of Danny's abusive and neglectful mother first builds up Danny's trust before betraying him. At just thirteen, Danny is manipulated out of his depths into a sexual relationship of control and physical abuse; already spiraling down the road to self-destruction, the relationship forced upon Danny cuts one more thread of his fragile desire to live.

Wanting to know Danny's story, I couldn't put this book down once I started reading. With a compelling narrative, this brave, important and commendable work is worthy of being on the shelves of all High School libraries.

Tautly written in first person with well developed characters, Debra Stang powerfully etches a story conveying a powerful message. No matter how grim life is, don't ever give up hope for a better tomorrow. Finding courage in his darkest moments to trust and reach out, Danny discovered life is worth taking that chance.

Rating:
Summary: Visiting Grandma
Review: I was drawn into "Visiting Grandma" by the end of the first paragraph and could not put it down until I was done reading it.

Reading this book made me feel less like a freak; like I was not the only one with a messed up life. It made me feel better to read that the abuse wasn't the kid's fault and gave me a little bit of hope that things can get better. I'm really glad that I read this book.