Review of Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventures
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Fredrick Felix Mnjala Maneno
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Review of Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventures
[Following is a volunteer review of "Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventures" by Catherine A. Pepe.]
It would be a lot of fun to go on a trip with your sibling. It would also be fun to make new friends in a new school and spend time with your grandparents. Of course this is not so for Mary Grace. When her parents inform her and Donny, her brother, that they have to go far away to Africa on a mission, Mary Grace is devastated by the news and feels like their parents don't love them. Donny on the other hand can't wait to go to California and visit Lucky, the penguin, and his friend Ed. Mary Grace's transition into her new school is not easy and she finds herself in the midst of a nasty bullying. Will she settle in her new school and make new friends? How can the Grandma Gang help her solve her predicament with her bully problem? Join Donny and Mary Grace to find out in this mystery filled tale of the Grandma Gang.
Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventures is the first volume by Catherine Anna Pepe in the Grandma Gang series. Borrowing from her own experiences with her brother, Donald Woodward Burcham, who sadly passed on in July of 2008, Catherine weaves a very enjoyable yet instructive tale that will resonate with children. Donny, who has Down's Syndrome, is an upbeat young boy who takes life as it is and enjoys himself to the fullest. Mary Grace is a typical teen and can not at first understand why her parents have to go away and leave them alone. I love how the author builds the characters into relatable individuals with their positive aspects and flaws. I could see why Mary Grace felt like her parents were abandoning them and how she needed to process that. In the end she comes across as a very thoughtful and caring young lady. Donny's Down's Syndrome doesn't seem to hold him back and I really liked this aspect of the book. It can give hope to families who have loved ones with the same condition.
I have to mention the expanded priase by Jay Ruderman, President of the Ruderman Family Foundation, which really touches on the pertinent issue of mainstream media putting disabilities on a pedestal in a positive light. This is a fun and instructive book for children and even parents reading it with their children or on their own can pick up a trick or two, like how to deal with a situation that a child feels needs to be kept confidential. The plot of the book is exceptionally laid out and is written in a simple way so that children can understand it. I did not come across any errors grammatical or otherwise and this makes it an easy and enjoyable read.
There was nothing to dislike about the book and in light of the fact that there were no errors, I give the book a rating of four out of four. The book is also easy to read and addresses it's points clearly.
I would recommend the book to school going children who may need help with bullying or other problems they may face at home or at school. This is because it highlights how one can get help with what might be bothering them. Parents of young children can also benefit from this book in a big way.
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Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventures
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
It would be a lot of fun to go on a trip with your sibling. It would also be fun to make new friends in a new school and spend time with your grandparents. Of course this is not so for Mary Grace. When her parents inform her and Donny, her brother, that they have to go far away to Africa on a mission, Mary Grace is devastated by the news and feels like their parents don't love them. Donny on the other hand can't wait to go to California and visit Lucky, the penguin, and his friend Ed. Mary Grace's transition into her new school is not easy and she finds herself in the midst of a nasty bullying. Will she settle in her new school and make new friends? How can the Grandma Gang help her solve her predicament with her bully problem? Join Donny and Mary Grace to find out in this mystery filled tale of the Grandma Gang.
Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventures is the first volume by Catherine Anna Pepe in the Grandma Gang series. Borrowing from her own experiences with her brother, Donald Woodward Burcham, who sadly passed on in July of 2008, Catherine weaves a very enjoyable yet instructive tale that will resonate with children. Donny, who has Down's Syndrome, is an upbeat young boy who takes life as it is and enjoys himself to the fullest. Mary Grace is a typical teen and can not at first understand why her parents have to go away and leave them alone. I love how the author builds the characters into relatable individuals with their positive aspects and flaws. I could see why Mary Grace felt like her parents were abandoning them and how she needed to process that. In the end she comes across as a very thoughtful and caring young lady. Donny's Down's Syndrome doesn't seem to hold him back and I really liked this aspect of the book. It can give hope to families who have loved ones with the same condition.
I have to mention the expanded priase by Jay Ruderman, President of the Ruderman Family Foundation, which really touches on the pertinent issue of mainstream media putting disabilities on a pedestal in a positive light. This is a fun and instructive book for children and even parents reading it with their children or on their own can pick up a trick or two, like how to deal with a situation that a child feels needs to be kept confidential. The plot of the book is exceptionally laid out and is written in a simple way so that children can understand it. I did not come across any errors grammatical or otherwise and this makes it an easy and enjoyable read.
There was nothing to dislike about the book and in light of the fact that there were no errors, I give the book a rating of four out of four. The book is also easy to read and addresses it's points clearly.
I would recommend the book to school going children who may need help with bullying or other problems they may face at home or at school. This is because it highlights how one can get help with what might be bothering them. Parents of young children can also benefit from this book in a big way.
******
Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventures
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Real courage is when you know you are licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what! (To kill a Mockingbird - Atticus Finch) Harper Lee.
Latest Review: Alpha Buddies Land by Donna Marie Rink
