Review of Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventures
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Angie Fernandez
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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.]
Donny, the main character in Donny and Mary Grace’s California Adventures by Catherine Anna Pepe was inspired by the author's younger brother, Donald Woodward Burcham. Donny was born with Down syndrome and his parents were told he would not live very long or have a “normal” life. However, with the love and support of his family, Donny not only survived until the age of fifty-three but also achieved many milestones, including learning to walk, talk, read, and sign his name. By the age of ten, Donny could name all the U.S. presidents and their wives, as well as their birthplaces, and burial sites. He also played the organ at church using foot pedals. He loved life and, like the character in this book, every morning he woke up and shouted, “Today is the best day of my life!”
In the book, Donny and Mary Grace Miller live with their parents in Wichita, Kansas. One afternoon, they learn their parents have been asked to serve as missionaries in Africa for two years. However, their parents think it would be best for the children to remain in school with their grandparents in California. Five-year-old Donny has fond memories of visiting his grandparents and is excited about the new adventure. Ten-year-old Mary Grace, on the other hand, is not happy about leaving her friends and breaking up the family.
As they adjust to their new school in California and make new friends, Mary Grace receives threatening notes from an unknown bully. Mary Grace enlists the help of the Grandma Gang to solve the mystery. Grandma Cathy (a former lawyer), La Shana (a former sheriff), and Elizabeth (a karate instructor) make up the Grandma Gang. They earned their title by helping the local police solve a tricky burglary case and are eager to help Mary Grace.
Although written for children, I found this book very entertaining and educational. The author addresses many important themes: acceptance, bullying, diversity, empathy, forgiveness, kindness, and redemption. Reading this thoughtful story can also teach children valuable skills in conflict resolution and adapting to change.
I found zero errors in this book, which led me to believe that it was professionally edited. Therefore, I was happy to rate Donny and Mary Grace’s California Adventures 5 out of 5 stars. I would recommend it to children eight years and above, teachers, and adults. Fans of “The Boxcar Children” book series by Gertrude Chandler Warner would also like this story. Overall, it is an engaging story that highlights how families and communities can work together for the common good.
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Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventures
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Donny, the main character in Donny and Mary Grace’s California Adventures by Catherine Anna Pepe was inspired by the author's younger brother, Donald Woodward Burcham. Donny was born with Down syndrome and his parents were told he would not live very long or have a “normal” life. However, with the love and support of his family, Donny not only survived until the age of fifty-three but also achieved many milestones, including learning to walk, talk, read, and sign his name. By the age of ten, Donny could name all the U.S. presidents and their wives, as well as their birthplaces, and burial sites. He also played the organ at church using foot pedals. He loved life and, like the character in this book, every morning he woke up and shouted, “Today is the best day of my life!”
In the book, Donny and Mary Grace Miller live with their parents in Wichita, Kansas. One afternoon, they learn their parents have been asked to serve as missionaries in Africa for two years. However, their parents think it would be best for the children to remain in school with their grandparents in California. Five-year-old Donny has fond memories of visiting his grandparents and is excited about the new adventure. Ten-year-old Mary Grace, on the other hand, is not happy about leaving her friends and breaking up the family.
As they adjust to their new school in California and make new friends, Mary Grace receives threatening notes from an unknown bully. Mary Grace enlists the help of the Grandma Gang to solve the mystery. Grandma Cathy (a former lawyer), La Shana (a former sheriff), and Elizabeth (a karate instructor) make up the Grandma Gang. They earned their title by helping the local police solve a tricky burglary case and are eager to help Mary Grace.
Although written for children, I found this book very entertaining and educational. The author addresses many important themes: acceptance, bullying, diversity, empathy, forgiveness, kindness, and redemption. Reading this thoughtful story can also teach children valuable skills in conflict resolution and adapting to change.
I found zero errors in this book, which led me to believe that it was professionally edited. Therefore, I was happy to rate Donny and Mary Grace’s California Adventures 5 out of 5 stars. I would recommend it to children eight years and above, teachers, and adults. Fans of “The Boxcar Children” book series by Gertrude Chandler Warner would also like this story. Overall, it is an engaging story that highlights how families and communities can work together for the common good.
******
Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventures
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Level 1 Decodable Phonics Reader-Short Vowels by Sara Gross
