Review of Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventures

[Khaleel Rahman]

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

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4 out of 4 stars

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A wonderful story about two young children whose ‘perfect’ worlds are turned upside down when their parents have to move halfway across the globe as missionaries. Forced to move to their grandparents home on top of changing schools; fitting in comes with its usual problems.

Mary Grace and her little brother Donny are very upset about having to move and live away from their parents for an extended period of time. Once they settle down in their new home, life certainly has some adventures in store for them. However the teachers in their new school are very supportive and along with the grandmas of the’ The Grandma Gang’ who advise them on how best to handle the sticky situations they find themselves in; the two children are able to overcome their problems and move on in their new home.

The way the author Catherine A. Pepe has portrayed the life of a child with Down’s syndrome is impressive. I am certain this book will change many readers views about people with Down’s syndrome. Donny is a child with such a sunny disposition and his optimism and enthusiasm for everyday activities is infectious. What hit me first was the helpfulness and kindness displayed by most of the characters in the book, starting when Donny gets lost at their local county zoo. Catherine A. Pepe has her characters display qualities and values that are very much needed in the world today. The ever present problem of bullying in schools has been admirably tackled by the author.

I found no negative aspects to the story. Only wished that the story hadn’t ended so soon. When I reached the ending I was left wanting more. The editors have done an excellent job and I rate Donny and Mary Grace’s California Adventures 4 out of 4 stars.

Would recommend older children read this book because I am sure they would come away with a better understanding of bullying and how to deal with it; along with absorbing some of the other good qualities displayed by the characters. Overall this book could be an enjoyable read for older people too. In my opinion the readers of this beautiful children’s story are only going to end up richer for reading it.

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Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventures
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