Review of Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventures

[Dorothy Stevens]

[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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In Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventures, written by Catherine Anna Pepe, Mary Grace and her younger brother Donny face a variety of challenges as they start a new chapter in their lives. Mary Grace struggles to cope with abandoning her friends in Wichita, Kansas and feels deceived by her parents' statement that they are moving to Africa, leaving her in California with her grandparents. On the other side, Donny, a person with Down syndrome, is excited and hopeful about the change. As the siblings settle into their new school and deal with acceptance and resistance to Donny's difficulties, Mary Grace has to deal with her own adjustment as well as the mystery of an unidentified bully in her class. The kids discover courage and perseverance in the face of change as a result of their adventures in California, which teach them important lessons about acceptance, friendship, and how to handle peers who have disabilities.

Because it captures Mary Grace and Donny's charming connection so beautifully, I like this book. Their sibling bond is genuine, endearing, and full of love and support. Seeing them conquer challenges as a team and stand up for one another is inspiring. Young readers will learn valuable lessons from the novel, which also highlights the value of friendship and acceptance. It encourages us to respect variety and deal with others in a polite and caring manner. In addition to being a timely reminder of the need to cherish our individual connections and advance an accepting and compassionate society, the story speaks directly to me.

There's nothing I could dislike about this book. I heartily recommend this book and give it a rating of five out of five stars. It skillfully captures Mary Grace and Donny's sweet bond, illuminating their loving and adorable sibling relationship. The story inspires with its themes of unity, tolerance, and accepting diversity. Young readers who enjoy inspirational stories and who want thoughtful advice on empathy and the value of connections should definitely pick up this book, in my opinion. The editing in this book is exceptional.

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Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventures
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