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Post by aln1982 on Aug 27, 2007 17:26:50 GMT -5
Finally got the courage to reread this one ;D The first time I read it was the day my dad had open heart surgery so when Grandad died of a heart attack, that made me a bit…. upset that day. Anyway, this book is still so sad for me but this time it had me crying because I was thinking of my own grandpa, who died 10 years ago after being really sick for several years. We were really close, though, and Karen and Grandad’s relationship reminded me of that, which is why I always enjoy reading about them spending time together. I loved it in this book how she read to Grandad and how he really took an interest in her. Even though this is a really serious issue for a LS book, I think the book did a pretty good job with it, especially with the feelings subplot. Death can be a really hard thing for kids to face (anyone actually). I thought Lisa and Seth were really good with the kids after Grandad died. Made me think of how my younger cousin is now traumatized by death because when Grandpa died (she was 4) our stupid aunt dragged her into his room and told her “kiss Bumpa on the head and tell him goodbye). I still remember her screaming and crying and our aunt trying to carry her to the bed – super traumatic. I was only 14 but the only one who had it “together” enough to carry her out of the room, crying hysterically. Karen’s relationship with Granny also reminded me of how my grandma totally leaned on me when my grandpa got sick the first time. I was only 10 and she was treating me like I was the adult (grandma can be a bit of a selfish baby at times ;D) I liked that Granny didn’t do that. I really enjoy this book even though it is so sad and I probably won’t reread until I need another good cry ;D
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mckay
Junior Sitter
Posts: 672
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Post by mckay on Aug 27, 2007 20:30:30 GMT -5
I don't think I read this one...and don't think I will for a while. I just lost my own grandfather this past January. My god, though, your poor cousin, that's awful. I've been to two open-casket funerals and I have never been able to actually touch the bodies, let alone kiss them. Death doesn't freak me out, but to touch the body of someone I knew and loved after death does not seem like it would be a positive experience.
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Post by aln1982 on Aug 27, 2007 23:29:42 GMT -5
^ So sorry about your grandfather, mckay. Don't read this one for a while ;D (unless you need a good cry) Open casket funerals are definitely traumatic enough as it is. My cousin was just starting to get over her trauma when my grandma took her to "see" our great aunt in her open casket. Don't know why my family is so stupid with stuff like that ;D Anyway, another thing I realized about this book is the parallel between it and the Kids in Ms Colman's Class book about Bobby where they get the guinea pig Evelyn. I think it is Science Fair but don't have it so can't check. Now I'm curious if the books are consistent with the details or just the basic stories.
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msstock87
Sitting For The Braddocks
Here Comes The Bride!
Created by Rie.
Posts: 3,618
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Post by msstock87 on Sept 1, 2007 12:38:15 GMT -5
This book is very hard for me to read. I haven't lost any of my grandparents yet but I am really scared to. I am really close to all of them. I do think this book dealt with death very well though in a way that wouldn't scare little kids.
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Post by sweetvalleygirl99 on Sept 18, 2007 20:25:46 GMT -5
This book was soooo sad and I could really feel Karen's pain after Grandad's death. I couldn't believe she went to school on the morning after he died; when my grandma died towards the end of my freshman year (we'd been really close, like Karen and Grandad were), I didn't go to school for like three days because it was so hard for me. I also wanted to slap that b*tch Pamela Harding across her face when she called Karen a baby for crying in class (I remember that she apologized after Ms. Colman told the class about what happened but it was still mean). Also, I thought Grandad looked a lot like Mister Rogers on the cover of this book.
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Post by aln1982 on Sept 18, 2007 23:48:24 GMT -5
^ I forgot about Pamela. What a brat! I hate it when people are unsympathetic just because they can't relate.
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mckay
Junior Sitter
Posts: 672
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Post by mckay on Sept 19, 2007 2:36:55 GMT -5
That is odd that they'd make Karen go to school the day after. I was really close to my mother's parents as a child, and had either of them died when I was young, I think I would've been an absolute wreck. But then Karen and Andrew never seemed all that close with their grandparents. They loved them, but it doesn't seem like it would be as upsetting as if, say, Nannie died.
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Post by aln1982 on Sept 19, 2007 9:13:54 GMT -5
^ They didn't make her go from what I remember. Lisa even asked but she wanted to go because thought it might make her feel better. I guess I kind of see where she was coming from with that.
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msstock87
Sitting For The Braddocks
Here Comes The Bride!
Created by Rie.
Posts: 3,618
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Post by msstock87 on Sept 19, 2007 12:14:22 GMT -5
Was this book where Karen tried to buy Granny a guinea pig to make her feel better or am I thinking of another book?
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Post by aln1982 on Sept 19, 2007 16:49:58 GMT -5
^ This was the one. She actually one it for Granny at school in a drawing and thought it would help make her feel less lonely. I thought that was sweet how she was so concerned and trying to help and liked how Granny handled the situation tactfully.
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Post by greer on Sept 19, 2007 17:13:54 GMT -5
it's a funny concept though, in a morbid way: "sorry the love of your life died, here's a rodent!"
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mckay
Junior Sitter
Posts: 672
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Post by mckay on Sept 20, 2007 2:20:25 GMT -5
Hee, that's really cute. I have to say, my grandfather never got over losing his wife (of course), but at the same time, I'm kind of glad his dog outlived him, because I think losing her would have been just as hard! So...you never know, it might have helped! And guinea pigs are super-cute...
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Post by aln1982 on Nov 29, 2007 1:30:16 GMT -5
Last night, I had a dream about my Grandpa who has been dead for over 10 years. It made me think of Karen and the dream she had in this book. I was glad they included something like that because I can really relate and always thought I was just strange for having dreams like that until I read this book. Now I don't feel like I'm very odd since Karen had a similar dream. ;D
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mckay
Junior Sitter
Posts: 672
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Post by mckay on Nov 29, 2007 5:27:26 GMT -5
I have lots of dreams about the people and animals I've lost being alive. Sometimes they seem meaningful, sometimes they're just random...but it's usually a good thing! I've never read this book, but it sounds like an interesting one.
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Post by aln1982 on Nov 29, 2007 9:09:42 GMT -5
^ This is a great book but very sad. I haven't been able to reread it since reading it a few months ago even though I want to. ;D
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