Mary Woodbury
Author - Speaker - Wife - Mother - Friend

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Young Adult Books

Jess and the Runaway Grandpa

Mary's Woodbury's book about a grandfather with Alzheimer's and the young girl Jess who is caught up in his attempt to run away. It has lots of action and is an exciting read. The book has been reprinted by popular demand from schools and organizations supporting Alzheimer awareness.

Everything is changing way too fast for Jess Baines. Her cat's been run over. Her best friend Brian is turning into a clown. Worst of all, her next-door neighbour — her beloved friend "Grandpa Ernie" — can't remember who she is any more.
When Ernie climbs into his camper truck, Jess has only seconds to decide to go with him. They set off on a dangerous journey to the Northern Alberta wilderness.

Will Jess be able to help Ernie survive this trip? Can she find the courage to bring them safely home? Jess and the Runaway Grandpa is a compelling story about loyalty, patience and compassion.

A SHORT SAMPLE FROM THE BOOK: Jess and the Runaway Grandpa

Jess pulled herself up, gripping the bumper and then the hood of the truck. The overheated engine made the metal hot to touch. She moved her hand to a birch broken by the truck in passing. Its smooth bark was softer than skin. She leaned her whole body against the poor half-tree. She began to shake uncontrollably, her skin clammy, cold and hot at the same time. Her teeth chattered. Her head throbbed. Jess slipped down and leaned her back against the tree strunk. Shuddders and shakes flooded over her. At least she was alive. And Ernie, he'd wake up. He must have hit his head. She wished her mother was here. She wished Grandma Ruth was here. She was a nurse, she'd know what to do.

Jess hugged her knees tightly, trying to stop the shaking, the sick feeling, the dizziness in her head.

Don't hurry, she told herself. First, collect your wits. Get your survival kit out and patch yourself up — the cuts were stinging and the blood soaking her jeans made her stomach feel squeamish. Get Ernie out of the truck and make him as comfortable as possible. Then go for help.

 

Flight of the Tiger Moth

This fictional story tells how seventeen-year-old Jack Waters who lives in a small Canadian prairie town in 1943, comes to fly a plane and save a life. Too young to be a pilot, he nevertheless learns how to fly when Basil, who is a flying instructor at a nearby British air training base, takes him into the air. The secret lessons and Jack’s courage are tested when Basil is injured and his best hope for survival is for Jack to fly his plane to the infirmary.

Brad's Universe

"I don't want you asking your father a lot of questions when he gets home. Kids ask too many questions ... sometimes it's better not to know ... better to keep quiet." Though he knows that she means well, his mother's advice is the last thing Brad wants to hear. He wants to ask questions. He wants to understand the things that trouble him about the family's past.

An amateur astronomer and inventor, brainy but quiet, Brad Greaves strives for recognition and success both in and out of school. At the same time he struggles with a growing body, a flaring temper, and the unsettling recognition that his family life is an emotional black hole. His father, an aloof, self-centered piano teacher who has moved in and out of their home life under unexplained circumstances, is the source of much of Brad's frustration. Forced to confront these unpleasant issues, he is both pained and relieved when he discovers that he is strong enough to stand up for himself.

 

Letting Go
Saying goodbye isn't easy...

It is the summer of 1956, and Sara Jane Collins is thirteen. As she has done for as long as she can remember, Sara is spending the summer on Centre Island in her grandmother Maggie's boarding house.

But this summer is different. Things are changing — too fast, Sara thinks. One by one the island homes are dissappearing, victims of the city's plans for an island park. But worse than that, Maggie's health is failing. Her granmother tries to help, but Sara has to learn for herself what to fight for, and what to let go of ...

 

The Ghost in the Machine.

Tyler Graham lives in the beautiful Kootenay Valley. One summer night, he follows a strange blinking light in his back yard to the battered Volkswagen his Uncle Scott died in four years ago. A pale guy Ty's never seen before sits in the driver's seat. "Fix it!" he tells Tyler.

How's a fifteen-year-old with no mechanical experience supposed to fix a wrecked old car? Or does the guy expect him to fix something else? His parents, who can't talk about their troubles? His mean, sarcastic old grandpa, who never gives Ty an even break? Or the feud with the Beaton family, who've hated the Grahams longer than Ty can remember? Ty decides to start with himself. He decides to fix the car.

 

For your younger brother ...

A Gift for Johnny Know-it-all

Johnny Graham is nicknamed Johnny Know-It-All because the kids at school think he has a big mouth. When Bennie Snell gets mad at Johnny's insults and punches Johnny in the nose, the most horrible moment of Johnny's life turns our to be the greatest gift of all. While he's in the hospital, Johnny has his large ears stitched back. But the real gift Johnny receives is much more than correcting his ears — he learns how to have respect for others.

Ages 7 - 9

 
 

Also by Mary Woodbury

Where in the World is Jenny Parker

This young adult novel is set in Italy. It follows Jenny Parker as she solves a kidnapping mystery.

 

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