Our Gracie Aunt

by Jacqueline Woodson, Jon J. Muth (Illustrator)

Johsnon and his sister, Beebee, seem to be all alone in the world. Their mama has gone away many times before, but something tells them that this time she won't be coming back. Then a social worker comes and takes them to meet their Aunt Gracie. Beebee barely remembers her, and Mama never even told Johnson about her. They wonder where she's been all this time--and why she would want to take care of them. Warily, though, the children begin to trust Aunt Gracie. And in the process, they come to a better understanding of what it means to be a family.

Genres: Picture Books, Realistic Fiction, Childrens, Family, African American, Fiction, Cultural

32 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2002

About the author

I used to say I’d be a teacher or a lawyer or a hairdresser when I grew up but even as I said these things, I knew what made me happiest was writing.

I wrote on everything and everywhere. I remember my uncle catching me writing my name in graffiti on the side of a building. (It was not pretty for me when my mother found out.) I wrote on paper bags and my shoes and denim binders. I chalked stories across sidewalks and penciled tiny tales in notebook margins. I loved and still love watching words flower into sentences and sentences blossom into stories.

I also told a lot of stories as a child. Not “Once upon a time” stories but basically, outright lies. I loved lying and getting away with it! There was something about telling the lie-story and seeing your friends’ eyes grow wide with wonder. Of course I got in trouble for lying but I didn’t stop until fifth grade.

That year, I wrote a story and my teacher said “This is really good.” Before that I had written a poem about Martin Luther King that was, I guess, so good no one believed I wrote it. After lots of brouhaha, it was believed finally that I had indeed penned the poem which went on to win me a Scrabble game and local acclaim. So by the time the story rolled around and the words “This is really good” came out of the otherwise down-turned lips of my fifth grade teacher, I was well on my way to understanding that a lie on the page was a whole different animal — one that won you prizes and got surly teachers to smile. A lie on the page meant lots of independent time to create your stories and the freedom to sit hunched over the pages of your notebook without people thinking you were strange.

Lots and lots of books later, I am still surprised when I walk into a bookstore and see my name on a book’s binder. Sometimes, when I’m sitting at my desk for long hours and nothing’s coming to me, I remember my fifth grade teacher, the way her eyes lit up when she said “This is really good.” The way, I — the skinny girl in the back of the classroom who was always getting into trouble for talking or missed homework assignments — sat up a little straighter, folded my hands on the desks, smiled and began to believe in me.

Reviews

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book that I think would help children relate to what it may feel like to be placed in foster care. Many powerful discussions could come from reading this as a classroom community.

[Nadine in NY Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm here just for the gorgeous art by Jon Muth. And I was not disappointed.

But I also got a deep, emotional story about two children set adrift in the world because their mother is struggling with something un-named, and she is unable to care for them. The two kids bravely carry on alone for a while, but their CPS caseworker is persistent, and kind, and they finally open to the door to her. Lucky for them, they have a loving aunt in a nearby town that they have never met before, and she opens her home and heart to them.

Young children will have a lot of questions about what happened to the mom. The book doesn't explain that, so be prepared for a discussion.

[Crystal (Melanatedreader) Forte' · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully done. A story about children who are introduced to a new living situation where there are separated from their parent. I loved it.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary/A Thoughtful Review:
In this powerful tale of love and family, Jacqueline Woodson writes the story a brother, Johnson, and sister, Beebee, who are abandoned by their mother several times before, Miss Roy, a social worker comes to take them to a foster home. Beebee tries to make excuses for her mother's absence, but eventually Miss Roy takes them to their mother's sister, Aunt Gracie's house. Here she is waiting to greet them with hugs on the front porch. With a tire swing in the yard, cookies baking in the oven, nighttime "tuck-ins," cooking together, popcorn and scary movies, and even sharing tears over missing Mama, their new home is truly filled with new experiences and unconditional love! Eventually their mother contacts them for a visit, but is very "sick." She explains to her children, "even when a mama loves you, she can't always take care of you. Sometimes she has to go away...[we're not going home:] right now, but when we go home it'll be for always. Your aunt Gracie's going to take good care of you until I can again." In another on of Woodson's brillant literary works, she writes about a real, but "raw" issue that is present in our current society. By focusing on the new experiences and relationships that are built, she creates a story filled with encouragement and hope! I have a student who I have taught for the past 2 years, as a third and fourth grader, who lives with her grandmother (and has for many years) because her mother is unable to care for her. Over the years she has struggled to build relationships with peers and adults, as her ability to trust has been so depleted. I would love to share this book with her, helping her to realize that there are others in a similar situation; she is not alone. Thank you to Ms. Woodson for sharing this story with her readers.

[Christine Jensen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Approximate Interest Level/Reading Level: Elementary

Format: Picture Book

Awards: Notable Social Studies Trade Books (2003)

Because of their mother’s neglect, two young children are removed from their home by child protective services to go to live with their aunt, who gives them exactly what they have been missing. This deeply emotional story is told from the perspective of the younger brother, who is balancing his need to be taken care of with the guarded reservations of his older sister. Containing nothing superfluous, the illustrations are restrained and poignant, effectively complimenting the emotionality of the text. This book has the potential to explain difficult family situations with sensitivity and compassion.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Normally I don’t catalog books I’ve read with my class, but this one was just so good. Jacqueline Woodson is an amazing author, and I had no idea she had written any children’s books like this. Reading stories about heavy topics is a great way to discuss them with kids, so props to my partner teacher for real.
Also, here’s the actual conversation I had with a student after reading this book:
Me: What did you think of the story?
Student: ...well, I thought it was kind of sad.
Me, who has been struggling not to choke up while I read the entire book aloud on a Zoom call: Yeah I thought it was kind of sad too.

[Calyn Joy]

Johnson and his sister Beebee go to live with their aunt Gracie when their mother abandons them. Johnson likes his aunt, and the stability she provides, even though he misses his mother. Beebee however, is angry about the change. Over time, both children become used to living with Aunt Gracie. At the end, they get to see their mother again, although they continue to live with Gracie.
I loved this book. I think that this is a great story, especially as there are so many kids who live with their extended family or are in foster care.
I think this book could start a discussion of what a family is.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

2020 Read Harder Challenge: Read a picture book with a human main character from a marginalized community. #ReadingBlackout I cannot get enough of Jacqueline Woodson's writing, for kids, for adults, for everyone.

[Meghan West · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful illustration of how family is used to Kinship Foster Care.

[Bree Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me CRY in the best way possible. This beautiful stories is for the Aunties who step in when/as needed. I love it so much. A new book of my heart. I adore it.

[Liliya Rubanenko · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It was a sweet story about two children who are put into foster care under their Aunt. Though the older sister is reluctant to accept this new home, her little brother likes their aunt immediately. By the end of the story, the siblings learn to love their new home and appreciate the fact that their aunt will never leave them. I would use this book to talk about families and foster care.

Genre: Realistic Fiction
Copyright: 2002

[Kaitlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great story that can help children and families cope with new family situations. This story follows Johnson and Beebee after their mother has left. After a social worker comes by, they go to live with their aunt.

[Tyne Mather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Johnson and his sister Beebee have to take care of themselves after their mother leaves. Then they’re moved to the Aunt Gracie’s house and things start getting better.

[Jason Brinley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jacqueline Woodson's Our Gracie Aunt is a children's fiction picture book that deals with the issue of neglect. The story is told through the eyes of a man looking back to when he and his sister were left to fend for themselves when they were very young, because of a father who is no longer in the picture and a mother who has an addiction problem and is gone for days at a time. The illustrations show an African American boy named Johnson, who looks about five or six years old, and his older sister, BeeBee, who appears to be in her early teens; and they are refusing to open the door for a Miss Roy from a social services-type agency, who has been alerted of the status of things in this home. The story is heart wrenching from the beginning as this young boy has so many questions; e.g. if their Mama is ever coming home and what is foster care. John Muth's illustrations shows the despair on these children's faces so vividly with his use of muted grays and purples against their pale brown complexions. When Miss Roy returns the next morning, she insists that they must allow her to come in and talk with them. BeeBee's guard is up and she is very resistant; however, little Johnson, seems to like this lady. Taking some personal belongings, the children reluctantly go and find out they are being taken to their aunt Gracie's home until their mother can get her life in order. These children know that their mother does not like her sister, and so they are very apprehensive in meeting her. The events that follow in developing a relationship with this aunt, their wish to see their mother, and the decision that is ultimately made for BeeBee and Johnson's future makes this book a must read. Woodson tells this story so touching and tenderly, making the reader aware of the pain and struggles many families go through when there is neglect and abandonment. Muth's illustrations are so beautifully done and capture the struggles and joy of everyone affected by this sad and unfortunate situation. Woodson and Muth have created a brilliant, authentic, eye-opening book that draws the reader in and allows him/her to experience this heart wrenching, yet heartwarming story .
Teachers can use Our Gracie Aunt in a lesson about child abuse and neglect, a common issue that faces many families. Educators must make sure that students understand that this is a problem that affects all socioeconomic levels and is not limited to poorer families. After opening a discussion about these topics, teachers should make certain students are informed to report such issues to a family member, a teacher, a pastor, or the school resource officer. Our Gracie Aunt would be a good book for students in grades two through six.

[Megan Koval · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about Johnson and his sister BeeBee, whose mother has left them. They are taken from their home by a social worker. The children are scared and are sad to leave because they are afraid that their mother will return while they are gone. They are taken to their Aunt Gracie's house and Johnson is very excited to be there, but BeeBee is reluctant to be there. Soon BeeBee begins to warm up to their aunt. Aunt Gracie always reminds them that not only she loves them, but their mother loves them as well. One day, the social worker comes to take them to see their mom, who is in what appears to be a mental hospital. The children want to go home with their mom, but she is not quite well again. When they return to Aunt Gracie's, they are greeted warmly by her and are shown love and affection by her.

I thought this was an absolutely fantastic book. I think that this book does a great job of showing a very serious family issue in a way small children will be able to understand. I think that it also does a great job of showing the love and compassion various people in children's lives have for them. I thought it was very well thought out that the author had Johnson be incredibly open to his aunt, while BeeBee seemed a bit unsure of her new environment, just as children of their ages would be. I think it is also good that the author included the children seeing their mother to show that she still loved and cared about them.

I think that this book would be a good book to use in a discussion about the different types of families. I think it could also be used by someone such as a school counselor who is dealing with children who are in a difficult family situation where they may be living with a family member that is not one of their parents. I think that this book could be very helpful for children going through tough situations. I would say that this book would be appropriate for children grades K-3. Although it does discuss a bit of a difficult issue, I think that it is important that even younger children are able to understand that not every family is perfect and sometimes there are unusual family circumstances.

[Chris Maynard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Purpose: Picture Book (Wide Reading Project)

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Format: Picture Book

Grades: Primary and Intermediate (though the theme of absentee parenting can be extended into middle school and secondary)

Subjects/Themes: See the bookshelves above.

Classroom Use: Great potential as a read aloud on a very sensitive and difficult subject of a parent who leaves her kids at home for days on end and the foster care that ensues. This book has great relevance in urban settings, though as a teacher, I would first have to know my class to decide whether or not to read to the whole class. The subject matter is tough, though I feel that Woodson's honest presentation could be cathartic and good release for some children who may unfortunately find themselves in similar situations.

Review: This picture book felt like a punch in the gut, with one moment early on especially sad and hard to comprehend, though Woodson provides an honest look at an issue that needs to be discussed. With a social worker knocking on their door, a young girl and her little brother refuse to let her in. One of the children says that Mama has left before but always come back, essentially asking a rhetorical question of whether or not she will return this time. The fact that any child has to ask this question is heartbreaking yet realistic for many kids who have to grow up way earlier than they should. In her typical style, Woodson tells it like is from her characters, resulting in a painfully touching masterpiece as far as I am concerned.

[Kate Novack · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a realistic fiction book is about a brother and sister who go to live with their aunt after their mother cannot take care of them anymore. I really liked this book because I have never seen another children's book address this topic before and it happens more often than we think. This book is definitely intended for children that are a bit older and have a good grasp on reading, as they text is long and some more advanced vocabulary is used. This book definitely offers children a lot to think about and I think a child in a similar situation would maybe realize that their mother/father is doing what is best for them by giving them up at the time. This book could help children understand the reason why someone would send you to live with a relative and not have hatred towards that person.
The illustrations go along with text very well but I think could have taken up more of the page. On most of the pages 3/4 of the page is text and only a small part is an illustration, usually lacking detail. I think a child might not find these drawings very appealing, but again I think the intended audience is a child that is a bit older and would be focusing more on the text.
My only problem with the book is that by having the characters be African American, the author is stereotyping that this situation usually occurs in African American families. This is usually how this situation is depicted in film as well.

[Josiah · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Everybody needs a little love sometimes."

—Gracie aunt, "Our Gracie Aunt"

This is an insightful, gently written picture book that introduces us to the life situation of Johnson and his older sister Beebee as much by feel as by information on the actual facts. The kids' mother has left them before the narrative begins, and they are taken away to live with their Aunt Grace, their mother's sister who hasn't communicated with their mother in years.
Johnson and Beebee find a safe haven with their aunt, however, who loves them and agrees to take care of them until their mother can return. Interestingly, it is never said exactly where their mother is, and it isn't even made clear from the illustrations and descriptions when they go to visit her, but such details are not as important as the feel of the story overall. Jacqueline Woodson is an excellent writer who deals with the children's feelings with sensitivity and an overarching love.
"Our Gracie Aunt" is a fresh, nicely told story that leaves the reader with a soothing feeling after reading it. I would certainly consider augmenting the rating to two and a half stars, if that were an option.

"It's good to cry...Crying washes you out inside."

—Gracie aunt

[Ms. Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't get enough of Jacqueline Woodson. She's everything you could want in a children's writer: beautiful prose and intuitive and empathetic portrayals of young children. Her books deal with things that are real in children's lives even if we don't want to talk about them. Children need her books and adults need to read them too.

I cried reading this one. At the reference desk.

[James Govednik · Rating 4 out of 5]

This picture book, for ages 5-9, tells the story of two children who seem to be all alone in the world. Through the eyes of Johnson, the youngest child, Jacqueline Woodson takes us along with the social worker who intervenes to find them a home. Johnson is filled with questions, which his older sister (bBeebee) answers as best she can. The title reflects Johnson's term for his Aunt Gracie, who takes the children into her home. The story strikes just the right tone regarding the seriousness and sadness of the situation without becoming too tragic for younger readers. The story focuses on compassion instead of judgment, so when we finally meet Mama, we're more interested in seeing the family whole again than anything else. I like this element of this book--children will know peers from fractured family situations, and by seeing the story through their eyes, they can better related to the needs of the people involved instead of passing judgment or labeling or excluding. Mama's explanation is handled in the same manner. The illustrations are beautiful and convey both the vulnerability of the children at the beginning and their relief and finding security with their Aunt.

[Brandi Parkhurst · Rating 4 out of 5]

Johnson and BeeBee are alone in their apartment after their Mama leaves without telling them when, or if, she will be back. A social worker shows up at the house and takes them to live with their Mama’s sister Gracie who takes care of them. They uncover the true meaning of family and learn to trust others to take care of them and provide them with their fair share of love.
This is a heart-warming story of a brother and sister’s journey into the system of foster care. The colorful, yet simple, illustrations add to the mood and tone of the book overall. The large font of the pages, also makes it fairly easy to read and suitable for young readers.

I gave this book a 4-star rating as it provides readers with a story that is relatable for children who may be in the same situation as the characters, or know someone else who is. This would be a great resource for teachers when addressing the idea of foster care, which may come up when a new child enters the classroom through that type of situation. In that case, this would prove to be a good read aloud book and/or addition to the classroom library.

[Irina Su · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story about a young boy, Johnson, and his sister Beebee, who are left for long periods of time without the supervision of their mother, is told from the point of view of Johnson. When Johnson hears a knock on the door, his sister tells him not to open it. Eventually the social worker comes back and takes the children to live with their aunt Gracie. Johnson calls her Gracie aunt. While he is thrilled to be treated so lovingly by her, his sister is resistant. They do not want to be disloyal to their mother. One day the social worker takes them to see her and she tells them that she is not ready to take care of them, but when she is that they will be together again. Johnson is relieved because he associates living with his mother with being hungry and lonely. However, he does love his mother very much, and the reader is left with sympathy for the mother because she is going through a tough time in her life. Beebee begins to appreciate living with her aunt because aunt Gracie provides the siblings with lots of love. I appreciate that the book is sensitive to the children and does not vilify their mother.

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strikingly beautiful portrayal of a foster care experience through the eyes of a little boy as he and his sister go through the process of being placed in foster care with their aunt.

One of the few stories about foster care that's out there for little kids and this one is truly amazing -- so sensitively portrayed -- the ambivalence the kids feel at leaving their mom -- their new sense of safety, their love for their mom; their desire not to hurt her by enjoying their new home; and the painful contradiction of their desire to enjoy their new home.

I am a total Jacqueline Woodson fan. I think she has a particular gift at telling stories about love and loss and the way that these two dynamics can operate simultaneously. She navigates the oh so human experience of love and loss expertly in this story.

And the illustrations accompany the story seamlessly and beautifully,

It makes me cry every time I read it. My kids look at me in surprise and ask "mom, why are you crying?"

[Taylor Moore]

I thought Our Gracie Aunt was a great story for younger elementary school students. This is an easy to read book with pictures about two children who are taken from their home after their mother leaves them alone for an extended period of time. Although they are reluctant to leave their home and go live with Gracie Aunt (their mother has not expressed positive feelings about her sister), the girls find that Gracie Aunt takes very good care of them. They have food when they are hungry, are tucked in every night, and get to watch scary movies on Sundays. They miss their mother nevertheless, and one day they go to visit her in a hospital and find themselves missing Gracie Aunt. At the end of the book, they are more accepting of the changes that have occurred in their life. This book stresses the themes of family, adversity, change, and acceptance. I think that I would teach this book to a classroom because it shows children that although families are different, there is still love despite adversity.

[Tasha Gonzalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beebee and Johnson were often left at home alone and one day a social worker named Miss Roy keeps knocking and knocking on their door. Miss Roy returns another day and they open the door and learn that they are going to be taken to their aunt, their mom's sister. The children knew it had been years since mom and their aunt talked but once they pulled up to her house they couldn't believe how great her home was. Furthermore, their Aunt Gracie was so kind and took care of their every need. Later in the book, Miss Roy returns and explains that they must visit their mom. They arrive at an unfamiliar building and their mother explains how she is getting "better" and will be home soon. They return to their aunts and are reassured that not only does their aunt love them but so does their mother.

This book can really connect to a child going through this situation because parents are not perfect by any means. Also, by Woodson not clarifying exactly what was wrong with the mother allows the audience to make their own interpretations whether it is addiction, mental issues, divorce, etc.

[Carly Warren]

Summary:
This book is written from the perspective of a little boy who along with his older sister is left at home by his mother and later picked up by Miss Roy, from the foster agency. They are taken to their Aunt Gracie's house, a woman they do not really know. She is loving and kind and feeds them good food and tucks them in. When they are briefly reunited with their mother, they realize that they miss their aunt and return to her until they can be with their mama again.

Analysis:
This is a story of children who do not understand the care they should be receiving, and it is sweet to see them receive it. I also appreciate that it is not necessarily just a happy ending but rather an open ending. You are left unsure of how things will be for the children, but you are left still with peace knowing that they are loved and cared for by Aunt Gracie.

How I Will Use This:
This book would be effective in beginning to explain foster care. It would also be effective for teaching about poverty.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes Johnson and Beebee are left alone when their mother goes out, but this time she is gone long enough for the neighbors to become concerned. A social worker eventually tracks down their aunt who agrees to take care of them. Johnson is quick to trust Aunt Gracie while Beebee is more reticent. Still, they love their mother, and when the chance comes for them to visit her, they are thrilled. But it's questionable just how stable their mother is at this point, and both children are glad that they have another relative who loves them too. Woodson's language is pitch-perfect, nailing every syllable to evoke the anxiety, fear, mistrust, and security the children feel. One of my favorite lines was the way the aunt described the purpose of crying: "Crying washes you out inside" (unpaginated). The softly hued illustrations provide a sentimental wash to a serious topic handled deftly and honestly by Woodson.

[Brandy Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story poses a realistic plot where two children are left alone by their mother who hasn't been home in days. This is not the first time this has occurred. Then a social worker stops by the house which eventually leads to the children having to go live with their aunt. As they grow closer to their aunt they soon began to learn what it means to be a family and have a family. The fact that the story is being narrated through the view of the younger brother can help other children connect to the situation because the young brother does not know the full extent of why their mother is always gone but his big sister know. This story is told passionately without having to go into details about the mother's situation which can help children relate more when they have a parent that constantly disappears and doesn't take care of you. Overall, it a great book that looks at extended family as a family structure that children are raised in.

[Kimberlee Gutterman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a rather dark matter when two children are being constantly abandoned by their own mother and they are left wondering when she'll be back and they have to take care of themselves. The sad thing is, this actually happens to children in real life. However, some are not as lucky as Beebee and Johnson because they got to live with family and visit their mom which isn't a reality for most kids who go into foster care. I really would have enjoyed this book more if it hinted at why the mother left because it really bothers me that it never mentioned why. I liked how it was written through the perspective of Johnson because he doesn't really understand what's going on and I think a lot of children who are in the same situation will find this comforting because they don't understand why things happen either.

[Laura Noto · Rating 3 out of 5]

Our Aunt Gracie is a picture book for Kindergarten to 4th grade readers. It is about 2 children Beebee and Johnson, who are taken away from their mother’s house by a social worker. They are taken away because their mother wasn’t at their house for a few days. They go to live with their Aunt Gracie, who is their mother’s sister. She is a wonderful foster parent to them. She tucks them in at night, feeds them, and gives them a lot of love. They weren’t used to those kinds of things at their mother’s house, but they liked them a lot. Towards the end of the story they go to visit their mother in a big building. Their mother explains to them that even though she isn’t with them, she still loves them. This book has a good message about a hard situation for some children.