Rodowsky, Colby. That Fernhill summer.

RODOWSKY, Colby. That Fernhill summer. Farrar, Straus & Giroux. 170p. c2006. 0-374-37442-2. $16.00. J

Most grandparents in children's literature are portrayed as loving and understanding--so it's quite entertaining to encounter Zenobia, perhaps the most cantankerous, nasty grandmother we've ever met. Kiara, the 13-year-old narrator, didn't even know Zenobia existed until a phone call from an unknown aunt brings Kiara and her mother to the hospital room in Baltimore where they assume Zenobia is dying. We find out why Kiara's mother is estranged from her family--her parents disowned her when she quit college and abandoned her career as an artist to marry Kiara's father, a college professor at Columbia University. He is African American, but this isn't a story about race prejudice and problems.

In any case, Zenobia doesn't die, but refuses to go into a nursing home after leaving the hospital. The family arranges 24-hour care for her at the family mansion, Fernhill, and Kiara and her two girl cousins decide to spend the summer getting to know their grandmother better and "keeping her company." Now, that is a challenge. At least they bond with each other that summer, and the family comes together as they never have before. There is nothing sugary about this story, and it tells of decent people trying their best with difficult family members who criticize and judge. Most of us have had some experience in these situations, right? Rodowsky tells the story well. Claire Rosser, KLIATT

J--Recommended for junior high school students. The contents are particular interest to young adolescents and their teachers.