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

Catherine A. Pepe’s Donny and Mary Grace’s California Adventures revolves around a ten-year-old girl, Mary Grace, and her five-year-old brother, Donny, who has Down syndrome. Mary Grace often looks out for her brother, making sure he is always safe and happy. Donny is a sweet, innocent ball of joy who makes everyone around him happy by just being his cheerful self. When their parents are offered to work as missionaries in Africa, Donny and Mary Grace must leave their home town, Wichita, and live with their grandparents in California for two years. Mary Grace is not as happy about this change as Donny is. How will the two children cope with the sudden uprooting? What challenges await them in California, and how do they overcome them?

The opening scene hits the mark and succeeds in engaging the reader. Mary Grace and Donny are both great characters. Mary Grace is a very mature girl who understands her responsibilities towards Donny; she is possibly much wiser than children her age.

I loved that communication has been given so much importance throughout the book. When Mary Grace is understandably upset about her parents’ decision to take the opportunity, they give her space to process her feelings and let her come to them before trying to convince her. Even her grandparents were great with her and truly listened when she spoke about her problems. I believe all the adults in the book handled the prevailing issues with a lot of finesse.

The book's message was loud and clear. I, too, agree that most people deserve second chances. Unfortunately, the varying pace of the story can be a potential problem for engaging the readers (children). The book was slightly slow until Mary Grace and Donny reached California. Once the main conflict was introduced, the pace picked up too fast, and the story ended rather quickly. Since this is a children’s book, an even-paced story is essential to keeping the audience hooked.

As I hardly found any grammatical or formatting errors, it is safe to say the book has been professionally edited. I award Donny and Mary Grace’s California Adventures 4 out of 5 stars. I am forced to deduct a star due to the pace-related issue, which is an essential factor. Giving it a lower rating would be unfair to its exceptional characterization and impactful takeaway. This book is suitable for children between the ages of 8 and 12. Parents and guardians may narrate it in parts, as a bedtime story, to the younger age groups.

P.S. A special shoutout to Papa Steve and adults like him that go the extra mile to make a child’s experience worthwhile!

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Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventures
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Thanks for your review Smrithi and I'm glad that you also enjoyed this book too! It was so sweet to see Mary Grace always looking out for Donny.

That's a very well-constructed review, Smrithi. I enjoyed reading it very much. I have to say that your observation about the pace is true, although I didn't notice it while reading. But now, thinking about it, I believe you are correct. You did an amazing job!

That's a very well written review Smrithi. I agree with you about the pace, it actually didn't bother me may be because I enjoyed the conversations but I can understand your point of view . I really enjoyed reading your review.

Shally Z wrote: ↑04 Jun 2023, 17:08 Thanks for your review Smrithi and I'm glad that you also enjoyed this book too! It was so sweet to see Mary Grace always looking out for Donny.

Yes, truly! I loved the bond the two children had Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting, Shally!

Omneya Shakeep wrote: ↑04 Jun 2023, 19:27 That's a very well-constructed review, Smrithi. I enjoyed reading it very much. I have to say that your observation about the pace is true, although I didn't notice it while reading. But now, thinking about it, I believe you are correct. You did an amazing job!

Thank you once again for your truly uplifting and encouraging words, Omneya!

Sarah Zain wrote: ↑06 Jun 2023, 02:06 That's a very well written review Smrithi. I agree with you about the pace, it actually didn't bother me may be because I enjoyed the conversations but I can understand your point of view . I really enjoyed reading your review.

Thank you for your wonderful comment, Sarah! I, too, enjoyed the conversations, especially the ones with Donny’s participation. He’s such a delightful child to be around! However, some children may get distracted easily

Smrithi Arun wrote: ↑06 Jun 2023, 05:09

Sarah Zain wrote: ↑06 Jun 2023, 02:06 That's a very well written review Smrithi. I agree with you about the pace, it actually didn't bother me may be because I enjoyed the conversations but I can understand your point of view . I really enjoyed reading your review.

Thank you for your wonderful comment, Sarah! I, too, enjoyed the conversations, especially the ones with Donny’s participation. He’s such a delightful child to be around! However, some children may get distracted easily

I agree with you they distracted easily. It will suits better if the parents participate in telling the story to draw the children attention.

Sarah Zain wrote: ↑06 Jun 2023, 05:19

Smrithi Arun wrote: ↑06 Jun 2023, 05:09

Sarah Zain wrote: ↑06 Jun 2023, 02:06 That's a very well written review Smrithi. I agree with you about the pace, it actually didn't bother me may be because I enjoyed the conversations but I can understand your point of view . I really enjoyed reading your review.

Thank you for your wonderful comment, Sarah! I, too, enjoyed the conversations, especially the ones with Donny’s participation. He’s such a delightful child to be around! However, some children may get distracted easily

I agree with you they distracted easily. It will suits better if the parents participate in telling the story to draw the children attention.

Yes, I agree. As you mentioned in your review, a few illustrations would also do wonders to increase engagement.

Donny and Mary Grace are so lucky to have very supportive and loving grandparents. I am joyfully jealous of them as I grew up without grandparents on both sides. I enjoyed this book, especially the Grandma Gang and the friendship of Penelope and Mary. Your review is incredible, Smrithi!l

Hazel Mae Bagarinao wrote: ↑06 Jun 2023, 05:44 Donny and Mary Grace are so lucky to have very supportive and loving grandparents. I am joyfully jealous of them as I grew up without grandparents on both sides. I enjoyed this book, especially the Grandma Gang and the friendship of Penelope and Mary. Your review is incredible, Smrithi!l

Oh, I'm sorry to hear about your grandparents, Hazel

Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts on my review! The Grandma Gang are fascinating, indeed! The children are blessed to have Grandma Cathy!

What a great review! I’m sure that the pace is an issue with the younger readers. I do enjoy the fact that Mary Grace feels such responsibility for her younger brother.

Your point is well taken about the pacing of the story, and it did indeed have an impactful takeaway. I'd also like to give a shoutout to Krug for his intuitive understanding.
Thank you for your thoughtful take on this read!

Amy Luman wrote: ↑06 Jun 2023, 17:07 What a great review! I’m sure that the pace is an issue with the younger readers. I do enjoy the fact that Mary Grace feels such responsibility for her younger brother.

Mary Grace is a great sister! Thank you so much for your kind and appreciative comment, Amy!

MsH2k wrote: ↑06 Jun 2023, 19:12 Your point is well taken about the pacing of the story, and it did indeed have an impactful takeaway. I'd also like to give a shoutout to Krug for his intuitive understanding.
Thank you for your thoughtful take on this read!

Oh yes! Our boy Krug always stole the scene with his presence Thank you for your wonderful comment!