Our Gracie Aunt

Our Gracie Aunt by Woodson, Jacqueline. paperback edition. ISBN: 9780786814428.

Johnson and his sister Beebee seem to be all alone in the world. Their mama has gone away many times before, but something tells them she won’t be coming back this time. Then a social worker comes and takes them to stay with their aunt Gracie, whom they’ve never met. Johnson and Beebee are skeptical—who is this Gracie and why does she want to take care of them? But most of all they worry about their mama. What will happen to her? Will she come back for them? Warily, though, the children come to trust Aunt Gracie, and in the process they learn what family is all about. This child’s eye view of a brother and sister entering foster care is a heart-wrenching exploration of trust, forgiveness, and the true meaning of family.