The heart of 'What's Happening to Grandpa?' revolves around two deeply intertwined characters: Kate, a sharp but compassionate preteen, and her grandfather, Samuel, whose gradual memory loss forms the emotional core of the story. Kate's voice is so vivid—she's equal parts frustrated and fiercely protective, trying to decode why her grandpa forgets her soccer games or repeats stories. Samuel, meanwhile, is portrayed with such tenderness; his moments of clarity, like recalling Kate's childhood lullabies, wrecked me. The book also quietly shines a light on Kate's mom, Margaret, who juggles grief and caregiving in a way that hit close to home for many readers.
What struck me was how the story avoids villainizing dementia—it's just this shadow that reshapes their family dynamics. There's a raw scene where Samuel mistakes Kate for her late grandmother, and her reaction isn't anger but quiet heartbreak. Secondary characters like their neighbor, Mr. Callahan, add warmth with his weekly chess games with Samuel, showing how communities can become unexpected support systems. The book's strength lies in making these relationships feel achingly real.