Review of Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventures
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Edward Tuya
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- Latest Review: Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventures by Catherine A. Pepe
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.]
Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventures is a novel by author Catherine A. Pepe. It's a story inspired by true events about Donny, a child who, though he's born with the Down's Syndrome disorder, goes on to defy the odds associated with his condition to be as good as normal kids, and maybe even better than some. In real life, Donny was the author's younger brother. The story begins with Donny and his family having fun at the local zoo in Kansas City. It then progresses to describe Donny’s and Mary Grace's lives at home and at school, before an unexpected duty call forces the two siblings to part ways with their parents. This leads the kids to a change of residence from Kansas State to California. The book sheds light on some of the hardships people born with various medical disorders encounter. It also addresses the issue of bullying, showcasing a better, unique approach to dealing with the issue, an approach that digs into the root of the problem to help both the perpetrator and the victim of the act.
Above everything else, the book was touching. I was pleased with how everyone offered Donny support. The book also had a nostalgic effect; it brought back childhood memories and made me miss my childhood days. Seeing Donny’s playful nature reminded me of the pleasant innocence of childhood. It reminded me of how sweet life is when one is a kid: no stress, no worries - everything is fun. I liked Donny’s cheerfulness and warmth – he was so cheerful and optimistic about everything (and everyone) that his sister wished she was like him!
Additionally, the book was educational to me, especially in the case of Justin and Tiffany: I learned that, indeed, love covers a multitude of sins. Mary Grace, the teachers and 'the Grandma Gang’ handled the misfortune with great discretion, compassion and maturity, and this ended up making Justin and Tiffany become better human beings. Mary Grace's empathetic and caring nature was also exemplary. She not only cared for her younger sibling, but also cared for the well-being of her bully. This is something worthy of emulation.
There's nothing I found negative about this book. The narration was great, the lessons life-enhancing. I furthermore saw no errors. Therefore, the book was exceptionally well-edited. This is why I give the book a rating of 5 out of 5 stars.
I recommend this book to any parent or guardian who has a child (or children) suffering from Down’s Syndrome or any similar disorder that may attract stigmatization from the general public. The book contains no profanity, and it's filled with exciting childhood fun activities. This makes it a perfect fit for children. I believe parents would enjoy reading it to their children as a bedtime story.
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Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventures
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventures is a novel by author Catherine A. Pepe. It's a story inspired by true events about Donny, a child who, though he's born with the Down's Syndrome disorder, goes on to defy the odds associated with his condition to be as good as normal kids, and maybe even better than some. In real life, Donny was the author's younger brother. The story begins with Donny and his family having fun at the local zoo in Kansas City. It then progresses to describe Donny’s and Mary Grace's lives at home and at school, before an unexpected duty call forces the two siblings to part ways with their parents. This leads the kids to a change of residence from Kansas State to California. The book sheds light on some of the hardships people born with various medical disorders encounter. It also addresses the issue of bullying, showcasing a better, unique approach to dealing with the issue, an approach that digs into the root of the problem to help both the perpetrator and the victim of the act.
Above everything else, the book was touching. I was pleased with how everyone offered Donny support. The book also had a nostalgic effect; it brought back childhood memories and made me miss my childhood days. Seeing Donny’s playful nature reminded me of the pleasant innocence of childhood. It reminded me of how sweet life is when one is a kid: no stress, no worries - everything is fun. I liked Donny’s cheerfulness and warmth – he was so cheerful and optimistic about everything (and everyone) that his sister wished she was like him!
Additionally, the book was educational to me, especially in the case of Justin and Tiffany: I learned that, indeed, love covers a multitude of sins. Mary Grace, the teachers and 'the Grandma Gang’ handled the misfortune with great discretion, compassion and maturity, and this ended up making Justin and Tiffany become better human beings. Mary Grace's empathetic and caring nature was also exemplary. She not only cared for her younger sibling, but also cared for the well-being of her bully. This is something worthy of emulation.
There's nothing I found negative about this book. The narration was great, the lessons life-enhancing. I furthermore saw no errors. Therefore, the book was exceptionally well-edited. This is why I give the book a rating of 5 out of 5 stars.
I recommend this book to any parent or guardian who has a child (or children) suffering from Down’s Syndrome or any similar disorder that may attract stigmatization from the general public. The book contains no profanity, and it's filled with exciting childhood fun activities. This makes it a perfect fit for children. I believe parents would enjoy reading it to their children as a bedtime story.
******
Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventures
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
