Sweet Memories Still

Sweet Memories Still

From BooklistGr. 3^-6. When Shelby's grandmother falls ill, her mother postpones Shelby's birthday party and takes her along to help look after Grandma. Shelby doesn't bother to hide her resentment over the canceled party or her disdain for Grandma's present: an old box camera. Through stories of her childhood, Grandma shows Shelby why the camera was important to her and brings about the child's transformation into a caring individual. When fire destroys Grandma's home and her precious photos, Shelby helps her grandmother with a gift that no one else could give. Kinsey-Warnock portrays Shelby's displays of anger in a realistic fashion that readers may find more believable than the girl's rather sudden transformation. This short chapter book takes on a lot of story, probably too much for the format. Still, written with skill and sensitivity, the narrative is more vivid than many longer novels written for children. Illustrated with realistic pencil drawings. Carolyn PhelanShelby is originally disappointed with the old-fashioned camera she receives from her grandmother on her birthday, until she learns of its history and the family heritage it has recorded and quickly realizes what a special gift it truly is.From Publishers WeeklySeveral life-transforming events are packed into this slim yet fetching story. Shelby is annoyed when she's forced to cancel her birthday party because her grandmother isn't feeling well. On top of that, her grandmother's gift, an old, beat-up camera, rudely disappoints her. But when her grandmother's house burns down, Shelby realizes that all the things she once thought were boring and dull-family, memories and pictures-are the most precious. This book is neatly bracketed, first by Grandma trying to inspire Shelby to take chances; then by Shelby reversing the roles and trying to inspire that same bravery in her grandmother. Adult narrative occasionally intrudes awkwardly into Shelby's consciousness: "For the first time, she saw that she could choose who and how she wanted to be." This revelation is especially redundant, coming after the author so eloquently has spent the entire novel showing how Shelby discovers it for herself. Still, Kinsey-Warnock (The Canada Geese Quilt) continues to show a gentle touch in peeling back the small layers of life to reveal simple epiphanies. Harden's wistful pencil drawings add to the quiet beauty. Ages 9-up.Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.From School Library JournalGrade 3-5. A nice intergenerational story, with short chapters, realistic characters, and a plausible plot. Shelby misses her own birthday when she and her mother need to spend time with her ill grandmother. While staying at the farm, Grandma gives the girl an old box camera and the two are soon sharing memories while poring over old photos, and Shelby learns some family history. She also learns how her grandmother overcame shyness and timidity while raising a family. When fire destroys the farmhouse and all of her grandmother's precious photos, Shelby uses her artistic talents to draw the pictures from memory. Her grandmother, in turn, realizes her own potential and makes plans for continuing her education. Although the "let your light shine" theme is at times heavy-handed, this is a pleasant look at a real family. Shelby is a likable girl who is spirited, yet shy and sometimes self-centered. While not as touching as The Canada Geese Quilt (Dutton, 1989), this gentle story is a good read-aloud and a poignant early chapter book.?Beth Tegart, Oneida City Schools,Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.From Kirkus ReviewsWhen Shelby has to postpone her birthday party to go care for her ailing grandmother, she is angry and pouty, and even more annoyed when the elderly woman gives her an old-fashioned camera. In spite of her bad temper, Shelby is captivated by her grandmother's old photo albums and stories about long-dead relatives. When the house burns,