The worst day in twelve-year-old Maggie's life was the day her grandmother didn't recognize her. Yes, Nana had been diagnosed with dementia, but how could she forget her own granddaughter?
Ever since Maggie has been terrified of forgetting the important moments in her life. To help insure her memories never leave her, Maggie saves random objects that represent events in her life. Each item is tucked away in a box in her closet, under her bed, or in her locker at school. Maggie now has eleven boxes and counting. She knows it isn't normal, but when her mother discovers the boxes and insists Maggie must get rid of what she identifies as clutter, Maggie discovers an anger bigger than she can manage.
When Maggie's parents agree to temporarily foster a newborn waiting to be adopted, Maggie is excited until she realizes having only a short time with baby Izzie could mean she'll forget her. This becomes another trigger for Maggie's stress.
Author Elly Swartz highlights childhood mental health in GIVE AND TAKE. This middle grade novel uses Maggie's imperfect character to point out how families deal with loss and love and different personal reactions to both. An unusual aspect of Maggie's story is her exceptional ability in competitive trapshooting which fits well into the storyline to show Maggie's strength and focus.
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