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

Have you ever encountered a person or persons with a disability? What was the meeting like? What did you notice? How different are they from the average human being? In Donny and Mary Grace’s California Adventures, the author gives readers a glimpse of what it is like to be a special being.

The author wrote from the third-person point of view, and the book starts by telling us how Donny was diagnosed with Down syndrome at an infant age. The family accepted this news with a heavy heart but resolved to care for him themselves. Soon, Mr. and Mrs. Miller announced to Donny and Mary Grace their plans to go on a missionary journey. Therefore, the children will relocate to California for two years to stay with their grandparents. The children received this news with shock and sadness. However, they had no choice. How does California meet them? What do they encounter? Read this book to find out.

I rate this book five out of five stars for excellent characterization, the conveyance of the message, and an engaging plot. The characters were adorable, especially Donny. As the author said, Donny is always happy, carefree, positive, and optimistic. Mary Grace, as his sister, was ever so caring and played her role perfectly. It was adorable and emotional reading the parts where they cared for each other. It was like they were against the world. I felt for the siblings, as they had to leave their parents. I admire Donny and Mary Grace for being so strong and able to adapt quickly. It made me remember crying for days when I went to live with my aunt for a few days as a kid.

Donny and Mary Grace’s California Adventures by Catherine Anna Pepe is a novel about the siblings’ encounters and experiences in their new environment. I especially enjoyed the part where Mary Grace joined the Grandma Gang in their investigation. It was interesting to see her blend in. The author used her brother as the central focus of this book. The book features love, family bonds, and togetherness. At some point, the book included children’s rhymes.

I found nothing to dislike about this book. The author educated individuals about children with disabilities or special issues. Donny exhibited extraordinary traits, which the author used to show the behaviors of kids with disabilities and how different and unique they are, just like the name says. The book further reveals the challenges individuals face when they encounter new places and things. The book was also exceptionally well edited, as I found no errors while reading.

I recommend this book to children ages seven and above. Adults can also read it to younger children, and those with relatives with disabilities can learn more about them from this book.

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Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventures
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We could all strive to have an attitude towards life like that of Donny, have a loving sibling like his sister Mary, and living parents like Mr. And Mrs. Miller.

This is a lovely book. I just finished this one and I loved every part of it. The book contained no errors and more adventures for children. Thanks for your opinion.

Some people were just born with natural defects and I can't imagine how hard it would have been for them while growing up. I'm sure there are lots of emotions tied to this book. Thanks for the review.

Your review captures the essence of the book beautifully. It's evident that the author skillfully portrays the experiences and challenges faced by individuals with disabilities, particularly through the characters of Donny and Mary Grace. Your genuine interest in understanding what it's like to be a special being shines through, making this review relatable and heartfelt.

Your review captures the essence of the book beautifully. It's evident that the author skillfully portrays the experiences and challenges faced by individuals with disabilities, particularly through the characters of Donny and Mary Grace. Your genuine interest in understanding what it's like to be a special being shines through, making this review relatable and heartfelt.

I'm glad the focus was on special kids like Donny.
There are great valuable life lessons to learn from this book, especially for the kids.
Kudos on the well-written review.

The author centered the book around her brother, making him the central focus. Within its pages, the book explores themes of love, familial connections, and the power of togetherness. At certain points, the book incorporates children's rhymes, adding an additional layer of charm and playfulness.

I loved that this book was centered on Down Syndrome, as it would create more awareness to children. I really loved the storyline. Thanks for the review.

"Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventures offers a heartwarming and insightful perspective on the journey of individuals with disabilities. Through the third-person narrative, the book beautifully portrays the challenges and joys that come with living with Down syndrome.

It is not easy for little kids to stay without their parents for a while. But judging from the book's title, I think that there's an adventure lurking around. I am looking forward to it.