Review of Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventures

[Katy Jackson]

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

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5 out of 5 stars

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Mary Grace’s life couldn’t be more perfect. Her younger brother, Donny, was the sweetest kid, and her parents always engaged the kids in fun activities. She had a lot of friends where she lived in Wichita, Kansas. So when her parents had to go away as missionaries to Kenya, she was dismayed. She had to move to California and stay with Grandma Cathy and Papa Steve. Although staying with her grandparents was fun, she wasn’t ready to part with her parents. Eventually, Mary Grace flew with Donny to California while her parents went to Kenya. California was okay until Mary Grace found threatening notes on her school desk. The notes threatened Donny, who had Down syndrome and told the siblings to leave California.

Donny and Mary Grace’s California Adventures by Catherine Anne Pepe is an engaging children’s book on bullying. The book belongs to the Grandma Gang series. Three grandmas have joined hands and previously solved a burglary that has dubbed them the Grandma Gang. Now it is their turn to confront many other mysteries, including who is bullying Mary Grace.

I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. There are many things to like about this book. Mary Grace’s character is impeccable, admirable, and not unrealistic. She is an intelligent, well-behaved child who cares deeply about family and friends and is always ready to help others. Donny is a lovable child who has Down syndrome. Their friend Penelope is from China. The book highlights many different issues, like bullying and racial discrimination. It accurately portrays Donny’s disability and can prove helpful in raising awareness. I liked how the book depicted these grave problems on a level that is easy to understand for children. The book is a light, enjoyable read and focuses on positive reinforcement to solve many issues. This book has everything a keen young reader could want. I highly recommend it.

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Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventures
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