A Kiss In Every Wave
Rosanne Hawke

Lothian Books:
YA Fiction 2001

222p  pbk $14.95

ISBN: 0-7344-0267-8

A Kiss in Every Wave is written by Rosanne Hawke and published by Lothian Books. The book is about a girl who suddenly has her grandmother, who has Alzheimer’s disease, living with her family. The genre of A Kiss in Every Wave is romance and it is set in present time but looks at things that have happened in the past. The book doesn’t contain very much coarse language and the uses relevant language to the situations. It uses a fairly large and straightforward text, which makes it easier to understand. The book is suited for teenagers although younger people may find it interesting.

Jessie’s grandmother, Annie, is sent to live with her family after her great aunt passed away. Annie is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and this is hard for Jessie and her family to cope with. Jessie dislikes Annie and doesn’t really understand why her grandmother is so different to everyone else’s. Annie is always accusing Jessie for stealing her things and she can’t remember her name. One day Jessie comes across some old love letters from during World War 2. She then becomes aware that Annie was not always forgetful and clumsy. Annie used to be a sweet young lady just like Jessie and that makes Jessie feel a closeness towards her grandmother. Jessie’s brother Hayden and her friend Elijah are close to Annie and that helps Jessie realize that she is not a bad person.

I recommend this book for it helps you to understand that just because someone has a disease which makes them behave differently from others doesn’t mean they aren’t the same inside. Not everyone is the same and although Annie had Alzheimer’s she still had a few great memories.

Kate, aged 13, Canberra, ACT