Back to Blackbrick by Sarah Moore Fitzgerald (review)

Abstract

Reviewed by: Back to Blackbrick by Sarah Moore Fitzgerald Jeannette Hulick Fitzgerald, Sarah Moore . Back to Blackbrick. Simon, 2013. [208p]. Trade ed. ISBN 978-1-4424-8155-8 $15.99 E-book ISBN 978-1-4424-8157-2 $9.99 Reviewed from galleys R Gr. 5-8. Young Cosmo is unwilling to accept that there is no cure for his grandfather's Alzheimer's, and he tries to prime Granddad's memory so that the man can at least stay in his own home. When Granddad gives him a key and a mysterious command to go to the south gates of Blackbrick Abbey, however, Cosmo discovers that maybe there is a way to help his grandfather after all. Entering the gates of Blackbrick, Cosmo is transported back in time and meets Kevin—Granddad as a sixteen-year-old stable boy. Cosmo manages to wangle a temporary job at Blackbrick, and he takes frantic notes about his granddad's past in order to help the old man pass the doctor's memory test in the present. Unfortunately, Cosmo's own existence in that present is placed in jeopardy when he helps Kevin meet up with his crush, Maggie, who is not Cosmo's future grandma. Cosmo finally manages to get back into his own time, his notes do in fact help Granddad pass his memory test, and Granddad [End Page 88] is able to remain in his own home. The book is a thoughtful blend of time travel adventure and family drama, and Cosmo's voice balances wry humor with deeply felt angst over his grandfather's illness ("There are one or two people in your life who should always know who you are. You'll probably never know how important that is unless one of those people starts to forget you"). Fans of gentle fantasies and readers with relatives suffering similar physical challenges will find Cosmo a worthwhile companion. Copyright © 2013 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois