Annie and the Old One

Annie and the Old One Patricia Miles Martin, illustrated by Peter ParnallLIttle, Brown Books for Young Readers, 1985ISBN 9780316571203 Softcover, 44 pp.8.06 X 8.7 X 0.16 inches | 0.34 pounds A Newbery Honor BookWinner of the Christopher AwardThe concept of death is beautifully presented to young children in this moving story of a Navajo child's love for her grandmother and her reluctance to lose her. Annie, a Navajo child, resorts to extremes in trying to prevent her dear grandmother from dying. The "old one'' has said she will return to Earth when she has finished helping Annie and Annie's mother to weave their new rug, so the child does everything she can to delay the project. When the grandmother explains her beliefs, Annie understands and no longer attempts to hold back time.