Too Soon Comes the Twilight - Tom Gnagey - Bog

A 13-year-old boy and his grandfather face Alzheimer's together. Robby, a bright boy, arranges to continue the illusion of homeschooling even after his grandmother passes on, so he can continue caring for his best friend - his grampa. As the disease progresses, Robby must become more and more creative in arranging their lives. His greatest sadness is anticipating the day grampa will have to enter the home designed to manage the devastating affliction during its final months.Robby had been orphaned as an infant, so as the time approaches for his grampa to leave the home, he and his best friend launch a search for his mother, who vanished after leaving him in his grandmother's arms. Using both the internet and lots of shoe leather, they run into dead ends at every turn. In the end, the Department of Child Services, intervenes, and proceeds to make ready to place him in the foster care system - a situation the youngster fights with every brilliant fiber of his being.The story paints a sensitive portrait of the stressful and painful day to day and moment to moment toll the disease levies on the family members. Even so, it flows from a positive point of view and is liberally sprinkled with smiles, wit, and good times. Toward the end, selfless Robby comments: "Everybody only sees one patient here, but there are two of us. When do I get my ration of support and compassion?"Intended for adults and mature young adults. (Tissues recommended.)