When the coolest kid in the class drops by David's house after school, David is worried about how popular, zany Ruben Plotnick will react upon meeting unpredictable Grandma Rosie. Will he make fun of her to his classmates? Will he imitate her whispery voice? What will he do if Grandma Rosie suddenly wants to dance? To his surprise, and relief, David learns that although Ruben may be a joker, he has an instant rapport with Grandma Rosie and accepts her odd behavior. In fact, when Grandma Rosie calls out, "Nate, let's waltz!" Ruben gallantly and proudly dances around the kitchen with her. This heartwarming story of senility and school-age embarrassment reveals the importance of looking beneath the surface to really get to know someone. By accepting Grandma with all of her quirks, Ruben shows that he has a warm heart and can be a true friend. Kindergarten-Grade 3–An engaging story about family, friendship, and the challenges of dementia. Ruben Plotnick is the cool kid everyone at school wants to know. He's funny and a little wacky, but he always knows the right answers. He's smart. For some unexplained reason, he decides to befriend David, asking to go to his house to do schoolwork. David is thrilled–and worried. His Grandma Rosie has become so unpredictable. Will she do something to embarrass him? What will The Plotnick think? David need not have worried. The Plotnick proves himself to be much more than a smart clown. He has grace and he has heart. He relates immediately to someone who dances to her own beat, displaying maturity and confidence far beyond his age. And he shows David how to be compassionate and remain true to himself. The digital illustrations add amusing background details to keep the story light. Although the plot is awkward at the beginning, the story has a very sweet conclusion. This is an excellent choice for a group read-aloud or to help a child deal with fears of family embarrassment. –Mary Hazelton, Elementary Schools in Warren & Waldoboro, ME Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. "This is a story about real family values, compassion for others and how kids are often smarter than we think." —Simms Taback, author, Joseph Had a Little Overcoat and There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly "[This book] waltzed into my heart and touched it in a way that no other children's book has." —Barbara Gruener, AcademicPlanet.com "A lovely book about friendship and seeing people as they really are. Kids will think it's terrific fun. . ." —MyShelf.com "Charming...lovely, filled with colorful illustrations that will make you smile." —Eclectic Homeschool Online "Every character expands beyond stereotype…will help kids cope with their own concerns about being less than perfect." — GRAND magazine "So touching and great for your kids . . . a terrific book. Really, a terrific book." —Dr. Laura Schlessinger, radio show host "This sensitive and clever story deals with school-age embarassment and what dementia looks like from a child's perspective." —National Institute on Aging "A truly delightful story . . . a must have in school libraries." — Children's Literature "This Flashlight Press treasure captivates its readers, young and old alike, because of its intergenerational flavor and flow and its sensitivity to a difficult and oft-times heartbreaking subject. Check out this book and I think you'll agree that Ruben Plotnick is a cool kid that you'll love getting to know!" —Barbara Gruener, https://corneroncharacter.blogspot.com/2012/06/getting-to-know-ruben-plotnick.html Named the New York Library Association (NYLA) Children's Book of the Season, Winter 2006 Roz Rosenbluth is the author of numerous children's books including Hungry Bear and Nettie's Spaghetti . Her fiction has appeared in Cricket and Highlights magazines, and she was the winner of the 2000 Highlights magazine humor contest. She has also held editorial positions at Bantam Books and the National Education Association. She lives in New Rochelle, New York. Maurie J. Manning is the illustrator of three books, including The Aunts Go Marching , a 2004 IRA Notable Book and Scholastic Pick of the Month. She lives in Berkeley, California. New Mint Condition Dispatch same day for order received before 12 noon Guaranteed packaging No quibbles returns