Review of Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventures
Posted: 30 Oct 2022, 10:50
[Following is a volunteer review of "Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventures" by Catherine A. Pepe.]
We occasionally find it very difficult to let go of familiar things. Most people are reluctant to change. When Mary Grace's parents told her they were leaving their ideal home in Wichita, Kansas, she reacted out of this intolerance to change.
The story opens with Donny's family going to the Wichita zoo. Panic ensues for the family as Donny disappears from the zoo until his sister, Mary Grace, manages to find him. Later, their parents tell them that they have been called to be missionaries in Kenya. Due to this development, both kids would have to spend the next two years in California with their grandparents. Although Mary Grace is disappointed, which leads to her resistance to change, their transfer to California ends up being the main plot element. However, their transition to the new school was slightly hampered as they experienced a lot of friction adjusting to the other students. What sort of friction did Mary Grace and Donny experience in their new school? Will they be able to overcome this friction and enjoy their stay in California? You will have to read Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventure by Catherine Anna Pepe to find out.
Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventure by Catherine Anna Pepe has many positive attributes that made me really enjoy reading it. The book's excellent narrative quality, a perfect example of Pepe's writing abilities, is the first of these. The book's flowy structure makes it easy to read for its younger target audience. I particularly appreciate the author's descriptions of the people and settings. The word choice was simple enough for kids to understand while still being interesting enough to hold adult readers' attention. Finally, the character development is fantastic. Each character has a strong foundation, allowing the reader to identify with them on several levels. Donny is such a joyful and enthusiastic kid despite having Down syndrome. His optimism spreads like wildfire to everyone around him. Also, Mary Grace is a wonderful young lady with a great sense of humor. She excels at deducing solutions. She opposed some of her parents' choices but ultimately handled the matter well. I have to admit that this novel won me over because of how the author developed Mary Grace's personality.
In children's literature, people with disabilities are usually underrepresented. However, Catherine A. Pepe significantly went out of the ordinary in Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventures. She not only represented kids with disabilities, but she also represented senior citizens who are actively involved in society and their families. This book represents everything I stand for, and I am thrilled that I came across it.
I found absolutely nothing to dislike in this book. It was exceptionally well edited, as I encountered no errors while reading it. For the above reasons, I rate it 4 out of 4 stars. I would recommend this book to younger readers from the ages of 7 and up. Adults who love reading children's books will enjoy it too.
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Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventures
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
We occasionally find it very difficult to let go of familiar things. Most people are reluctant to change. When Mary Grace's parents told her they were leaving their ideal home in Wichita, Kansas, she reacted out of this intolerance to change.
The story opens with Donny's family going to the Wichita zoo. Panic ensues for the family as Donny disappears from the zoo until his sister, Mary Grace, manages to find him. Later, their parents tell them that they have been called to be missionaries in Kenya. Due to this development, both kids would have to spend the next two years in California with their grandparents. Although Mary Grace is disappointed, which leads to her resistance to change, their transfer to California ends up being the main plot element. However, their transition to the new school was slightly hampered as they experienced a lot of friction adjusting to the other students. What sort of friction did Mary Grace and Donny experience in their new school? Will they be able to overcome this friction and enjoy their stay in California? You will have to read Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventure by Catherine Anna Pepe to find out.
Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventure by Catherine Anna Pepe has many positive attributes that made me really enjoy reading it. The book's excellent narrative quality, a perfect example of Pepe's writing abilities, is the first of these. The book's flowy structure makes it easy to read for its younger target audience. I particularly appreciate the author's descriptions of the people and settings. The word choice was simple enough for kids to understand while still being interesting enough to hold adult readers' attention. Finally, the character development is fantastic. Each character has a strong foundation, allowing the reader to identify with them on several levels. Donny is such a joyful and enthusiastic kid despite having Down syndrome. His optimism spreads like wildfire to everyone around him. Also, Mary Grace is a wonderful young lady with a great sense of humor. She excels at deducing solutions. She opposed some of her parents' choices but ultimately handled the matter well. I have to admit that this novel won me over because of how the author developed Mary Grace's personality.
In children's literature, people with disabilities are usually underrepresented. However, Catherine A. Pepe significantly went out of the ordinary in Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventures. She not only represented kids with disabilities, but she also represented senior citizens who are actively involved in society and their families. This book represents everything I stand for, and I am thrilled that I came across it.
I found absolutely nothing to dislike in this book. It was exceptionally well edited, as I encountered no errors while reading it. For the above reasons, I rate it 4 out of 4 stars. I would recommend this book to younger readers from the ages of 7 and up. Adults who love reading children's books will enjoy it too.
******
Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventures
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon