DISCONNECTED

A concise yet comprehensive overview of all the stages of Alzheimer’s disease and current research.

This approachable text combines easy-to-follow science-based facts with anecdotes and interviews that show the disease’s impact on real people and their family members, including children’s author and illustrator Kevan Atteberry and children’s and teen author Margarita Engle. Within these stories, readers encounter scary aspects of the disease—the fear and grief of coming to terms with a diagnosis and dealing with symptoms as they progress—as well as the comfort sufferers can find, for example through music and support animals. The book’s structure flows well, beginning with an introduction to dementia in its various forms, one of which is Alzheimer’s disease, followed by its signs and symptoms and diagnosis and treatment. The final chapters describe caring for and communicating with Alzheimer’s patients and the state of research into treatments and cures. The author compassionately covers the critical matter of self-care for caregivers as well as coping mechanisms for both the affected person and their loved ones. The text is broken up with illustrations, photos, and infographics that clarify the medical content. This colorful, attractively designed work includes photos showing a diverse range of people. Goldsmith, a veteran nonfiction author with a science background, offers teens an excellent informational book that’s both heartwarming and heartbreaking.

Helpful, wise, and informative.