Review of Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventures

[Paul Link]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventures" by Catherine A. Pepe.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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Five-year-old Donny needed special care because he had Down syndrome. On a family trip to the zoo, Donny went missing, and a frantic search began. After 30 minutes of looking everywhere, his astute 10-year-old sister, Mary Grace, stumbled upon where Donny might be, as she discovered a photo she had taken with him just moments before.

This tale is just the beginning of Donny and Mary Grace’s California Adventures, the first volume in Catherine Anna Pepe’s Grandma Gang Mystery series. When their parents leave them with their grandparents and embark on a mission trip to Africa, Mary Grace and Donny struggle to adjust to their new life in California. School poses particular challenges for the siblings, with Donny being subjected to frequent bullying from an unknown person, due to his special needs. But amid the challenges, Mary Grace discovers an opportunity to unleash her inner detective by joining the Grandma Gang with her grandmother and her grandmother’s friends, to solve the mystery.

What drew me to this book was that it was based on the author’s own experiences. Catherine Anna Pepe also had a brother named Donny, with Down syndrome, and a sister whose name happens to be the same as the book’s brightest character, Mary Grace. Reading this book allowed me to understand what it might be like to grow up with a sibling like Donny.

Pepe did a phenomenal job of conveying the pain and heartbreak that Mary Grace and her brother endured, as they were bullied in their new school. But what really captivated me was Mary Grace’s remarkable empathy and forgiveness. Her compassionate spirit truly shined through, more so than her sharp intellect.

I was particularly grateful for the friendly style the author employed. For me, it is usually a positive sign when a literary work begins with a captivating event, promising an enthralling journey ahead. In the book’s initial chapter, the writer deftly acquaints us with the clever Mary Grace, leaving us with delightful expectations for the rest of the narrative. Remarkably, I could not pinpoint a single thing that I disliked while reading the book. It was devoid of any grammatical errors, rendering it, in my opinion, a flawless piece of work. As far as my rating goes, I give it an unreserved five out of five stars. I would particularly recommend this book to slightly older youngsters, as well as parents who stand to gain from its lessons.

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Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventures
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[Kaleab Wondu]

You included what drew you to the book in your review. It was a nice job. It's clear you have done your job making it flawless.

[AlexGrav]

I hope this will help readers a better insight on caring for children like Donny. Your review was

[Sola Gracia]

I am thinking to buy this book for my kid to embark his detective soul. Thanks for your review...

[Alice Heritage]

Thank you for this introduction to the children's adventures with their grandparents in California. This attractive cover has been catching my eye for a while now!

[Manang Muyang]

I also got a free copy of this book and look forward to reading it. I am probably nearer in age to the Grandma Gang than the two children, lol.