Review of Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventures

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[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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Donny, a joyful boy, always embraces adventurous fun. His excitement comes from the prospect of staying with his grandparents while his parents embark on a mission to Africa. Unlike Donny, his sister Mary Grace faces the challenge of leaving her friends behind due to a school transfer, adding to her difficulties. Upon their arrival in California, complications arise as Mary Grace encounters bullying because of Donny's condition. Can they uncover the truth, or was the decision to move to California with their grandparents a regrettable one?
The book creates an engaging mystery. We meet the characters as Johnny goes missing at the zoo, prompting search efforts. The mystery deepens with the identity of the bully and their motive for targeting Johnny, who radiates happiness and kindness. The book also imparts an educational message, emphasizing the need to treat individuals with special needs gently, devoid of bullying, discrimination, or isolation. Special-needs children are just as wonderful and valuable as anyone else. They may have differences, but those differences make them special in their own way.
The only negative aspect I observed in the book was the Grandma Gang's decision to involve the sheriff as a way to intimidate. While I understand the seriousness of bullying, I felt this action was an excessive exaggeration, especially considering the age of the middle schoolers involved.
I rate Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventures by Catherine A. Pepe five out of five stars. It is well-edited with no grammatical errors. The portrayal of fairness and kindness towards individuals with special needs is commendable. I recommend this book to all children as a means to learn about special needs and compassion. The book also underscores the value of putting a stop to bullying. It motivates children to step in and assist someone facing bullying by reaching out to a teacher, a grownup, their parents, or their friends. This action ensures that everyone feels secure and experiences happiness.

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Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventures
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