Welcome Home, Jellybean

The nearest thirteen-year-old Geraldine can get to her own name is 'Gellydean' and making that effort successfully is a major step in the tedious progress of a mentally handicapped child along the path of intellectual development. When she is thirteen her mother persuades a reluctant father to bring Geraldine home from the 'institution' to live with the family. The effect she has on family life, on her brother's status at school, on her father's musical talent, is related in this totally involving, heart-warming story. It is undoubtedly a tear-jerker but one with considerable substance. I would recommend it to all top middle school children who are sufficiently alert and sensitive to be aware of the frustrations and anguish with which they can be confronted and the rewards that are slow to come. Recommend it also to those ready to be nudged into acknowledging that caring and sharing require cooperation from all involved in a relationship.