Review of Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventures
Posted: 07 Jan 2023, 12:49
[Following is a volunteer review of "Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventures" by Catherine A. Pepe.]
Mary Jane Miller is a clever and inquisitive girl who enjoys nothing more than solving mysteries and taking care of her brother. Her brother, Donny Miller, is a kid born with Down syndrome. However, he faces life with optimism and positivity, despite his disability. Mary Jane was content with her life in Wichita, for she had affectionate parents and many friends at school.
When Mr. and Mrs. Miller were tasked with completing a two-year missionary in Africa, Mary Jane's life started changing completely. She and her brother will be separated from their parents for two years, and they will have to live with their grandparents in California. Will Mary Jane and her brother adapt to their new lives in California?
The plot of this story is simple but captivating. Before the children went to live at their grandparent's house, Mary Jane had had to cope with being separated from her parents. The way she handled the situation shows how important acceptance and responsibility are. It is an excellent demonstration to children that things in life will not always go their way, and when there is nothing they can do about it, they have to accept it and move on. Mary Jane's parents were also very patient and understood their child needed time and some guidance to deal with her situation.
When the siblings started their new life in California, many interesting events were revealed one after another. The story did not feel boring, which is important for a children's book, as it will help to keep children focused. There were, in addition, many life lessons to learn from the events. The Grandma Gang will teach kids the value of kindness and thoughtfulness. The bullying incident at school shows that bullying is a significant matter that results in severe consequences. It also encourages children to speak up when they are being bullied. Through narration and speech, values like honesty, forgiveness, and manners are also incorporated into the story.
The part that stood out to me the most is how Down syndrome is described in the story. The way Donny is written makes kids understand that children born with Down syndrome are capable of learning and feeling emotions just like any other person. It teaches them that they should treat everyone equally, despite their appearances. Moreover, parents who read this book can learn a bit about dealing with kids with this disability. There is only one minor part that I disliked. It is too unrealistic for two elementary school children to travel by themselves. Other than that, I enjoy this story very much.
Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventures is an entertaining story written by Catherine Anna Pepe. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. Although there was a small setback, it is not enough to deduct stars. This story is engaging and educational, the characters are written extremely well, and the story's pacing is well-timed. It is exceptionally well-edited, as there were no errors, and the story is easy to read and understand.
I will recommend this book to elementary school students and parents. It is a fun story that can keep kids entertained while learning about morals and Down syndrome. Parents can read this book to know more about bullying and how to deal with children.
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Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventures
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Mary Jane Miller is a clever and inquisitive girl who enjoys nothing more than solving mysteries and taking care of her brother. Her brother, Donny Miller, is a kid born with Down syndrome. However, he faces life with optimism and positivity, despite his disability. Mary Jane was content with her life in Wichita, for she had affectionate parents and many friends at school.
When Mr. and Mrs. Miller were tasked with completing a two-year missionary in Africa, Mary Jane's life started changing completely. She and her brother will be separated from their parents for two years, and they will have to live with their grandparents in California. Will Mary Jane and her brother adapt to their new lives in California?
The plot of this story is simple but captivating. Before the children went to live at their grandparent's house, Mary Jane had had to cope with being separated from her parents. The way she handled the situation shows how important acceptance and responsibility are. It is an excellent demonstration to children that things in life will not always go their way, and when there is nothing they can do about it, they have to accept it and move on. Mary Jane's parents were also very patient and understood their child needed time and some guidance to deal with her situation.
When the siblings started their new life in California, many interesting events were revealed one after another. The story did not feel boring, which is important for a children's book, as it will help to keep children focused. There were, in addition, many life lessons to learn from the events. The Grandma Gang will teach kids the value of kindness and thoughtfulness. The bullying incident at school shows that bullying is a significant matter that results in severe consequences. It also encourages children to speak up when they are being bullied. Through narration and speech, values like honesty, forgiveness, and manners are also incorporated into the story.
The part that stood out to me the most is how Down syndrome is described in the story. The way Donny is written makes kids understand that children born with Down syndrome are capable of learning and feeling emotions just like any other person. It teaches them that they should treat everyone equally, despite their appearances. Moreover, parents who read this book can learn a bit about dealing with kids with this disability. There is only one minor part that I disliked. It is too unrealistic for two elementary school children to travel by themselves. Other than that, I enjoy this story very much.
Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventures is an entertaining story written by Catherine Anna Pepe. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. Although there was a small setback, it is not enough to deduct stars. This story is engaging and educational, the characters are written extremely well, and the story's pacing is well-timed. It is exceptionally well-edited, as there were no errors, and the story is easy to read and understand.
I will recommend this book to elementary school students and parents. It is a fun story that can keep kids entertained while learning about morals and Down syndrome. Parents can read this book to know more about bullying and how to deal with children.
******
Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventures
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon