Review of Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventure

[Ebi Robert]

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

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4 out of 4 stars

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The book, Donny and Mary Grace’s California Adventures (A Grandma Gang Mystery) by Catherine Anna Pepe, is the story of two children who had to live with their grandmother when their father was posted to Kenya for a missionary assignment. The story was inspired by the author’s experience of the life of her brother, who had Down syndrome. The author named the disabled character in her fiction after the name of her brother, Donny, who, interestingly, also had Down syndrome.

The novel opens in the zoo, where Donny has been confirmed missing. Afterward, Donny and Mary Grace travelled to California to stay with their grandmother—a decision which Mary initially opposed. However, the experience turned out to be the icing on the cake. Mary got to meet the Grandma Gang, which her mother had earlier told her about. She became even more attached to them when she became a victim of school bullying. The act was masterminded by a minor named Justin Green. The famous Grandma gang had to step in to unravel the mystery behind the papers discovered in Mary’s desk. The story is one with many moral lessons for children and parents. The book captures the psychological effect of school bullying and the use of simple but effective measures to achieve the correction of wrongdoers who are minors. The story was communicated in quite an interesting way. The characters were well presented. The book's conflict was planned in such a way that any reader would be captivated by suspense as they read through the pages. These are some of the positive aspects of this book.

This book has discussed a very riveting aspect of the lives of young people, which is school bullying. However, this theme was introduced at about halfway through the book. While I may not categorically classify this as a negative aspect, it may perhaps be regarded as one.

This book is a work of fiction suitable for children. It is not only well written, but it is also well edited. I practically struggled to find errors. And although I saw one error, it is not enough reason to rate this book below the bar. I rate this book four out of four stars.  

The book, Donny and Mary Grace’s California Adventures (A Grandma Gang Mystery), is indisputably a work of literature for children. Therefore, I recommend it to children. I also recommend it to all those who have loved ones with Down syndrome. The book serves as a refreshing call of love and care to the loved ones of those who suffer from one disability or the other.

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Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventure
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[Oyedeji Funmilayo]

Donny and Mary Grace story seems like an interesting read. Although its a children book have you have stated. I hope to read it soon. Wonderful review welldone.

[Marvelly]

This book has an interesting plot and interesting character. The issue of bullying the book talked on is something worth talking to children about. Wonderful review.

[Am Eso]

Finding a children's book that also describes Down syndrome should definitely be a must read, and I'm going to grab a copy. Nice review.

[Jelly_J]

From your review, this did not look like a children's book. Donny and Mary Grace's adventures seem to have quite an eventful experience with their grandparents. Great review.

[Oluwasogo Familusi]

When I read this book, it was Mary Grace's love for his brother, Donny, that captures my attention the most. It is a good book with a nice plot -- And a nice review as well.

[Emmanuel Okotie]

With respect to your review, I would say that this seems to be an interesting and amazing book. I particularly admire Grandma Gang. There are certainly some lessons one can pick up from this book. Thank you for this wonderful review. You did a good job.