A three-part narrative develops several dimensions of Cammy's intimacy with Gram Tut whom she regularly visits in the nursing home. Gram emerges from this physical containment to become the central dynamic in the family's effort to release Cammy from depression following her witnessing of the accidental death of a cousin during a summer outing. Cammy learns to welcome life's "winters" from Gram and to "... take what comes. Put a focus on ... each little thing ... Just one thing at a time. That's how it's done. Always be ready ..." It's clear that Gram Tut is ready; and, at the close of the brief partially surrealistic narrative, so is her granddaughter. Regardless of the swirl of sudden change, the depth of one's grief and the feeling one will certainly drown, life possibility is always at hand midst the complexities of event and emotion. A powerful story within the emotional and technical reach of young readers. (Ages 8-12)

DIVCammy’s only trouble in life is a cousin named Patty Ann who overshadows her in every way—until suddenly, Patty Ann is no longer around/divDIV /div
DIVCammy has a happy life and a great family, except for one little problem: a cousin who thinks she’s better than everyone else. It’s true that Patty Ann is beautiful, talented, and bright, but to Cammy she’s also vain, conceited, and mean-spirited. Sometimes Cammy wishes that Patty Ann would disappear, just vanish in a puff of smoke. But when the unthinkable happens and Patty Ann is lost forever, Cammy struggles to atone for her bad feelings toward someone so close./div