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Book Reviews, Middle-Grade · October 11, 2019

REVIEW | THE MEMORY KEEPER

The Memory Keeper - Book Review

Summary: The Memory Keeper

Lulu Carter loves her grandma. When her mother became depressed after the death of her little sister and her father’s number one focus was caring for her mother, only Lulu’s grandma looked after her. Even more, Lulu’s grandma, Sue is the only one who knows about Lulu’s HSAM (Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory). This means Lulu remembers her life in impressive detail. For example, she remembers exact dates, days, and what she did or wore on those days. She can also easily playback conversations from random past days, extracting useful information as needed.

Although she also loves her best friend Olivia, Lulu is scared that Olivia will think her weird for having a brain that rarely forgets. But when her grandmother starts forgetting things, getting confused, regressing to a strange (Russian?) accent mid-conversation, Lulu is worried that the only person who sees her could be disappearing forever. She’s convinced that her grandma’s memory losses are due to a traumatic past event. With the help of Olivia and a new friend, Max whose dad gives them horse-riding lessons, Lulu works to get to the bottom of the mystery.

The Good

This book is very STEM-focused. Each chapter begins with a brief paragraph or two about a part of the nervous system it’s titled after. The writer then connects the anatomy and function with the plot — it’s really cool! So there are chapters titled after dendrites, synapses, saltatory conduction, and more science-y words. As a doctor, the science refresh was a pleasant surprise.

I also enjoyed learning more about HSAM through Lulu’s experience. Apparently, there are less than 100 people identified as having this kind of memory in the US. The book’s title and Lulu’s use of her memory in behalf of her grandmother is very sweet and clever.

The friendships in this novel are also rock-solid and there’s a real emphasis on friends being there for each other. Lulu’s grandma has Russian ties, and having lived in Ukraine for three years (and knowing and speaking Russian), I loved seeing the sprinkle of Russian words. I have to say, the author does a fine job of objectively representing Russians (who are often negatively represented).

The mystery in The Memory Keeper is captivating and I found myself flipping the pages faster and faster as the plot came to a climax. But even more importantly, the book highlights the impact of a depressed parent, both secondary to grief and as postpartum depression.

The Bad

It took a while to get into Lulu’s voice. But that’s more a personal nit-picky thing than the book’s fault, I think, since I eventually got used to it.

Overall: The Memory Keeper

The Memory Keeper is an engaging middle-grade debut from Jennifer Camiccia. This novel features a character with Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory, a grandparent dealing with the onset of Alzheimer’s, and a parent recovering from depression. Yet, it manages not to be a downer. With an impressively woven mystery and trio of adventurous, smart kids, this book is a thrilling read.

I’d highly recommend this novel to anyone who loves science, middle-grade mysteries, and stories about strong bonds between grandparents and their grandchildren. It’s perfect for fans of Tae Keller’s The Science of Breakable Things and Merci Suarez Changes Gears.


Buy This Book

the memory keeper jennifer camiccia

Readalikes:

Merci Suarez Changes Gears (Grandparent with Alzheimer’s)
The Science of Breakable Things (Parent with depression & STEM connections)

More Middle-Grade Reviews

  • The Line Tender by Kate Allen
  • Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga
  • The Friendship Lie by Rebecca Donnelly

Have you read this book or any middle-grade STEM books? Which are your favorite STEM books or books about grandparents? I’d love to know! Look out for my interview with author Jennifer Camiccia on Monday!

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Posted In: Book Reviews, Middle-Grade · Tagged: grandparent stories, summer stories

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Comments

  1. rosihollinbeck says

    October 11, 2019 at 8:17 pm

    I will have to check this one out. It sounds terrific. Thanks for the heads up.

    Reply
    • Afoma Umesi says

      October 13, 2019 at 7:01 pm

      It’s really good! Very different from many middle-grade books I’ve read. Definitely worth checking out!

      Reply
  2. Augustine says

    October 19, 2019 at 1:01 am

    I’m usually not a fan of Middle Grade literature, but this sounds so cool. The science-y bit has piqued my interest, and so I’ll definitely check it out. Great review!

    Reply

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October 2019 Book Releases: 9 Books to Read This Month

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If you love layered middle grade books that still If you love layered middle grade books that still manage to be fun and relatable and accessible to tweens, don’t miss this fall release! Sometimes I thought I was reading a book for adults! Especially with the tough issues Bishop explores during the Dad chapters, which are told in 3rd person (unlike the girls who narrate in first person)!

#sportsbooks #middlegradebooks #mglit
✨lifetime favorite✨ I’m not a big re-reader ✨lifetime favorite✨

I’m not a big re-reader but if I had to re-read favorite middle grade titles, this would be at the top of my list! Clea is a highly motivated middle schooler who’s finding it harder and harder to keep up with school work. Her thoughts keep jumping around and the only time she can really focus is when she’s playing chess. Soon, she’s diagnosed with ADHD and has to find ways to work with the way her brain functions.

I love the way this book deflates stereotypes about the condition and shows just how much effort people with ADHD have to exert to function in a neurotypical world. With an unforgettable voice and strong themes of friendship, family, and crossing over from childhood to teenage years, Focused is a memorable read. 

I would strongly recommend this one for anyone curious about ADHD, chess lovers, and anyone who’s ever squabbled with a best friend.

Have you read this book? What did you think?

#adhd #bookstagram #mglit
✨how ‘bout a little virtual reality?✨

☀️ Addie has reluctantly moved across the country with her dad for his summer job in the virtual reality industry. He's working on research to use VR for therapeutic purposes, such as helping people cultivate empathy. Addie is not into VR, but that starts to change when she meets Matteo another kid on campus, and tries out VR on her own. Eventually, the two find a helpful use for VR that helps other people.

🥽 I loved the illustration style in this one and while I found the VR setting a bit disorienting, I appreciated the unique lens of the story. The graphic novel format works brilliantly for helping readers appreciate the power of VR. I think with text, it would have just been too much “world-building.” This is more engaging and exciting for kids.

🐢 Lo and Behold is a clever middle grade graphic novel about virtual reality, grief, and parental addiction. Readers who enjoy VR will love this one, but as the Author's Note mentions, it will also be a fantastic introduction for those who, like me, aren't familiar with it. A fun summer read with hints of serious themes.

#mglit #middlegrade #bookstagram
✨surprisingly heartwarming middle grade✨ 🗺 ✨surprisingly heartwarming middle grade✨

🗺️ Ginny’s summer is thrown off when her dad gets a surprise redeployment in the middle of their family’s moving to another city. Then, her geography camp gets canceled. Her sister seems to be making new friends, but no one appears to like Ginny–even when she starts her own geography camp. 

❤️ I loved this book way more than I thought I would (from the synopsis). Ginny has such a great voice and she isn’t always the most likable character but she’s always real. I loved watching her grow throughout the story.

📍This sweet, unique young middle grade book made my heart grow and ache for Ginny and her family as they navigated a season of change. Features illustrations and a new geography fact in each chapter.

#amreading #mglit #middlegrade
My current adult reads! HAPPY TRAVELER is a non- My current adult reads! 

HAPPY TRAVELER is a non-fiction title about making travel work for you and creating enjoyable, memorable experiences. So far, I’m enjoying the author’s musings on travel.

HELLO BEAUTIFUL is a bookstagram darling (need I say more?) and I already know I’ll be reading it for a while. It’s one of those books that really forces you to slow down. The writing is so tender; it feels like the author loves her characters ❤️

#bookstagram #amreading #readersofinstagram
✨growing up is full of bumps on the way✨ 🤓 ✨growing up is full of bumps on the way✨

🤓 Sixth grade is off to a rocky start for Rex. His district moved most of his elementary school to another middle school, his best friend ditches him for the popular crew, and his blurry vision means he has to get clunky new glasses–the only kind his family can afford. 

❤️ This sweet graphic novel for fans of Telgemeier is an ode to middle school, family, and finding your people.

#graphicnovel #middleschoolbooks #kidlit
Do you like to hop on the “buzz train”? I find Do you like to hop on the “buzz train”? I find that buzzy books are often worth the hype. Even the few people who dislike them tend to have STRONG feelings about them 👀 which to me is a sign that the story got to you somehow. Of course, not every book is for every reader — hype or not. I share my tip for finding a hyped book that matches your reading tastes.

Which hyped books did you love? And which ones missed the mark for you?

#reader #bookstagram #unpopularopinions
✨a different kind of sunshine✨ I loved this g ✨a different kind of sunshine✨

I loved this graphic memoir about the author’s time as a counselor at a camp for kids with cancer. It was my first time reading anything by this author and I totally get the appeal.

This one didn’t end up being as sad as I thought it would be but it was very moving, especially because Krosoczka shares newspaper clippings and pictures of one the families with whom he forged a particularly close relationship even until his college years.

If you’re looking for an engaging graphic memoir for older kids ages 11+ this is a great choice.

#graphicnovel #kidlit #yareader
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