Review of Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventures
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Sadia Altaf
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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.]
Review
Donny and Mary Grace’s California Adventures Volume1 by Catherine A. Pepe is a very well edited book.
Pepe is a lawyer by profession who worked with an international law firm and was the first women partner in the labor and employment law practice group. After her retirement she started writing a number of books describing the adventures of Mary Grace, Donny and the Grandma Gang; Donny was based on her real brother Donny with a case of Down Syndrome. In Donny’s portrayal Pepe tried to highlight the scenario of a down syndrome child, his family and the community at large.
As Jay Ruderman, President of the Ruderman family foundation, commented, “the stigma surrounding people with disabilities,” can only be removed by “changing public attitudes” that may pave the way “to bring equality to people with disabilities” more than any piece of legislation.
Pepe tried to expedite this change by writing books that showed a progressive society where people of disabilities, in this case having Down Syndrome, were treated quite amicably with only a few hiccups. These were solved beautifully by introducing a new plot (namely Grandma Gang and Mysteries) where the mystery of bullying faced by such people (with disabilities) and new students was recounted.
Pepe actually had a younger sibling who had Down Syndrome and hers’ and her family’s life was changed significantly because of him. By portraying his character she has tried to make the world realize that the change around people with disabilities doesn’t necessarily have to be negative and sad but with love and encouragement, their presence can be positive, generative and inspiring for the family and the society at large. Pepe delightfully used the level of elementary school readers for this purpose. Her language and style adheres to the curiosity and interest of early teenagers; Although the underlying message is for the adult world.
She introduces a typical church going American family, which faces this dilemma. She pitches in by adding various civic duties taught to the young learners in elementary schools as well as how youngsters are interested in books by Dr. Suess; thus, keeping the American tradition alive. Nothing can be more familiar and popular for the young readers as Dr. Suess and his adventures.
There is also a thrill for the young readers that how the young teenage sister (Mary Grace), along with some senior citizens (Grandma Gang) solved a mystery.
I highly recommend this book and give it a rating of five stars out of five. Brilliant Work!
The unpleasant aspect is that although the parents (of Mary Grace and Donny) were introduced in the beginning chapter, they are shown to have flown away to Africa for welfare work. Although it is good of them, I feel charity begins at home.
The other pinching factor is change of living in a new environment is good for Donny, but his elder sister Mary Grace, is forced to leave her school, which she had attended all her life when she just had a year to pass out, missing friends, proms and so much which she ultimately accepts happily, but….Find out!
******
Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventures
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Review
Donny and Mary Grace’s California Adventures Volume1 by Catherine A. Pepe is a very well edited book.
Pepe is a lawyer by profession who worked with an international law firm and was the first women partner in the labor and employment law practice group. After her retirement she started writing a number of books describing the adventures of Mary Grace, Donny and the Grandma Gang; Donny was based on her real brother Donny with a case of Down Syndrome. In Donny’s portrayal Pepe tried to highlight the scenario of a down syndrome child, his family and the community at large.
As Jay Ruderman, President of the Ruderman family foundation, commented, “the stigma surrounding people with disabilities,” can only be removed by “changing public attitudes” that may pave the way “to bring equality to people with disabilities” more than any piece of legislation.
Pepe tried to expedite this change by writing books that showed a progressive society where people of disabilities, in this case having Down Syndrome, were treated quite amicably with only a few hiccups. These were solved beautifully by introducing a new plot (namely Grandma Gang and Mysteries) where the mystery of bullying faced by such people (with disabilities) and new students was recounted.
Pepe actually had a younger sibling who had Down Syndrome and hers’ and her family’s life was changed significantly because of him. By portraying his character she has tried to make the world realize that the change around people with disabilities doesn’t necessarily have to be negative and sad but with love and encouragement, their presence can be positive, generative and inspiring for the family and the society at large. Pepe delightfully used the level of elementary school readers for this purpose. Her language and style adheres to the curiosity and interest of early teenagers; Although the underlying message is for the adult world.
She introduces a typical church going American family, which faces this dilemma. She pitches in by adding various civic duties taught to the young learners in elementary schools as well as how youngsters are interested in books by Dr. Suess; thus, keeping the American tradition alive. Nothing can be more familiar and popular for the young readers as Dr. Suess and his adventures.
There is also a thrill for the young readers that how the young teenage sister (Mary Grace), along with some senior citizens (Grandma Gang) solved a mystery.
I highly recommend this book and give it a rating of five stars out of five. Brilliant Work!
The unpleasant aspect is that although the parents (of Mary Grace and Donny) were introduced in the beginning chapter, they are shown to have flown away to Africa for welfare work. Although it is good of them, I feel charity begins at home.
The other pinching factor is change of living in a new environment is good for Donny, but his elder sister Mary Grace, is forced to leave her school, which she had attended all her life when she just had a year to pass out, missing friends, proms and so much which she ultimately accepts happily, but….Find out!
******
Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventures
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Survive! Marooned on Planet Tau Ceti g by Charles P. Graham
