Review of Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventures

[Badger Martin]

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

---

5 out of 5 stars

---

Share This Review

---

Imagine the agitation and confusion of leaving behind everything familiar to start anew in an unknown place. Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventures by Catherine A. Pepe captures the situation of a family trying to adapt to a new environment. This insightful children's book evinces the challenges and joys of adjusting to change, especially for a family that shares a special bond. Through the eyes of Mary Grace and her brother Donny, the author explores the resilience of family bonds and the importance of kindness, making it a story that resonates with all readers, irrespective of age or gender.

The book follows the adventures of ten-year-old Mary Grace Miller and her younger brother, Donny, who has Down syndrome. Their world is turned upside down when their parents are sent on a two-year missionary trip to Kenya. The siblings were sent to live with their grandparents in California. As they adjust to their new environment, they face various challenges, make new friends, and learn valuable life lessons. Their journey is filled with both joyful and difficult moments, ultimately teaching them about love, friendship, family, and overcoming adversity. You will find this book to be lovely.

I loved how the author portrayed Donny's character. The author did an excellent job of highlighting his positive attitude and the love and support he receives from his family and people outside the family. This book changed my perspective on people who have Down syndrome. This book effectively addresses important themes like bullying, acceptance, family life, and more. I found the story of the Grandma Gang to be hilarious and adventurous.

This book was absolutely interesting and fun. I found nothing to dislike or criticize. The editing of this book was flawless, and the organization was amazing. This book was very easy to read and comprehend, as I found no errors in it.

For the reasons above, I wholeheartedly rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. I recommend this book to all lovers of children's books and to those who wish to change their perspective about people with Down syndrome.

******
Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventures
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

[Robert Cortes]

As a prospective reader, I'm genuinely intrigued by *Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventures* by Catherine A. Pepe, which promises a heartwarming and insightful narrative centered on the adventures of Mary Grace and her brother Donny, who has Down syndrome. The book's exploration of themes like family resilience, kindness, and acceptance, along with addressing important issues such as bullying, makes it appealing to readers of all ages. The engaging storyline, coupled with the delightful inclusion of the "Grandma Gang" and a well-edited, easy-to-read format, assures me that this book will be both entertaining and enlightening, offering a fresh perspective on life and the unique challenges faced by those with Down syndrome.

[Onwuesi Promise]

Nice and honest review. I loved "Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventures" by Catherine A. Pepe. The characters felt real, especially Donny, whose positivity and family support were inspiring. The story tackles important themes like acceptance and family, with a fun and engaging plot. Highly recommend this heartwarming and well-written book!. The book was quite entertaining and full of morals.

[Jeremy Martins]

"Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventures" by Catherine A. Pepe explores a family's resilience and the bonds that unite them as they navigate life in a new place, capturing both challenges and joys.

[Sinachi Azuka]

I actually feel emotional for the two children when I read the part where their parents had to travel for the missionary journey. I'm glad they were able to have fun and solve crimes.

[Alissa Deann Devargas]

Donny is a cheerful child. I loved the scene where he was singing in the airplane and the rest of the passengers sang along with him. He was truly a lovable child.