Keeping Up With Roo

By Sharlee Mullins Glenn

Book Overview

Gracie and her aunt Roo are best friends. Roo has the heart and mind of a child, and she's always had a knack for finding the best ways to have fun together. But now Gracie's getting older, and her feelings about Roo are changing. She doesn't always have time to play anymore. She worries about what her new school friend will think of strange Roo. Does growing up mean she'll have to leave her best friend behind? In a realistic, heartwarming story about a little girl's relationship with her beloved aunt who is mentally challenged, Glenn reminds us of the gifts we all bring to the world, and to each other. The world is comprised of all kinds of teachers.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0399234802
• ISBN13: 9780399234804
• Release Date: March 2004
• Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.4" x 0.4" x 9.3"
• Age Range: 5 years and up
• Grade Range: Preschool and higher

Customer Reviews

Strong easy reader with good vocabulary.

Sharlee Glen, Keeping Up with Roo (Putnam, 2004) Short, poignant story about growing up with a mentally challenged family member. Gracie and her Aunt Roo play together all the time when Gracie is younger, but when second grade rolls around, Gracie finds her time taken up by other things, and is embarrassed by Roo when a friend comes over. Tension comes to a satisfying, if predictable, conclusion. Must-read for families with kids in this situation; other children will enjoy the cheery illustrations and slightly above-average reading level if they like a challenge. *** ½

A child shall lead the way

What a wonderful place this world would be if we could all be Gracies and recognize the joy of loving and accepting those different than ourselves. As I cried my way through this endearing and sensitive book, I hoped its message of love and acceptance could reach all people of all ages. Thank you Sharlee!

Tender story of acceptance

I loved this story about a girl growing out of and back into a love of her mentally challenged aunt. It made me cry out loud and almost wish I'd had an aunt like hers to show me the way.

Loved "Roo"

This sweet story of a young girl and her mentally challenged aunt touched my heart and made me cry. My six year old son and I loved it!