Review of Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventure
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Zolex Paula Avina
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Review of Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventure
[Following is a volunteer review of "Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventure" by Catherine A. Pepe.]
Personal experiences usually contribute to the inspiration and guidance of literary artists. They help the writer provide an accurate and intimate description of the concept in question. In Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventures, Catherine A. Pepe writes about Donny, a five-year-old boy with Down Syndrome, and his ten-year-old sister, Mary Grace.
According to the author, her real-life brother, who bears the same name and has the same medical condition, is the inspiration for the Donny character. The book follows the lives of both children as they temporarily relocate to California after the church sends their parents on missionary duties to a village in Kenya. Living with their maternal grandparents, Donny and Mary Grace have to adapt to their new environment, including attending a new school and making new friends.
Even though it is a children's book, there are many aspects of Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventures that I adore. The most prominent of these is that one of the protagonists in the story is a young boy with disabilities. I enjoyed how Pepe described Donny's behavior positively, something I believe will give the book's young readers a good impression of people with Down's syndrome. I also love how Donny's family, especially his elder sister, were very supportive. Donny's disposition throughout the book exuded positivity and an easy-going approach to life.
Another thing I found very commendable was how the book handled negative issues such as bullying. I think the author sent the right message about this improper behavior through the bullying situation that affected Mary Grace. This behavior was brought to the fore and expressly denounced. I also liked how the bully, Justin, was treated. Instead of being extremely harsh on the lad, the school authorities considered Justin's family situation. Giving him a light punishment while teaching him the gravity of his actions is an example of how to handle such situations.
I also think that the author's narrative skills are top-notch, a factor that makes the book the perfect read for young people. Her narration of events was so good that I couldn't help but create a mental picture of everything as it happened. I also observed that the word usage in the book brought positivity to difficult situations, such as when Donny and California had to leave Wichita. I will describe the general ambiance of the book as lovely and compassionate.
Apart from a few grammatical errors associated with punctuation, I do not have anything against the book. As a result, I rate it 4 out of 4 stars because the story is as entertaining as it is enlightening. I enjoyed Donny, his wise sister, and several other characters riding a wave of positivity. I do not have any strong reasons to rate it any less. Instead, I recommend this book for children of all reading ages to teach them the importance of being positive around others and treating everyone equally.
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Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventure
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Personal experiences usually contribute to the inspiration and guidance of literary artists. They help the writer provide an accurate and intimate description of the concept in question. In Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventures, Catherine A. Pepe writes about Donny, a five-year-old boy with Down Syndrome, and his ten-year-old sister, Mary Grace.
According to the author, her real-life brother, who bears the same name and has the same medical condition, is the inspiration for the Donny character. The book follows the lives of both children as they temporarily relocate to California after the church sends their parents on missionary duties to a village in Kenya. Living with their maternal grandparents, Donny and Mary Grace have to adapt to their new environment, including attending a new school and making new friends.
Even though it is a children's book, there are many aspects of Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventures that I adore. The most prominent of these is that one of the protagonists in the story is a young boy with disabilities. I enjoyed how Pepe described Donny's behavior positively, something I believe will give the book's young readers a good impression of people with Down's syndrome. I also love how Donny's family, especially his elder sister, were very supportive. Donny's disposition throughout the book exuded positivity and an easy-going approach to life.
Another thing I found very commendable was how the book handled negative issues such as bullying. I think the author sent the right message about this improper behavior through the bullying situation that affected Mary Grace. This behavior was brought to the fore and expressly denounced. I also liked how the bully, Justin, was treated. Instead of being extremely harsh on the lad, the school authorities considered Justin's family situation. Giving him a light punishment while teaching him the gravity of his actions is an example of how to handle such situations.
I also think that the author's narrative skills are top-notch, a factor that makes the book the perfect read for young people. Her narration of events was so good that I couldn't help but create a mental picture of everything as it happened. I also observed that the word usage in the book brought positivity to difficult situations, such as when Donny and California had to leave Wichita. I will describe the general ambiance of the book as lovely and compassionate.
Apart from a few grammatical errors associated with punctuation, I do not have anything against the book. As a result, I rate it 4 out of 4 stars because the story is as entertaining as it is enlightening. I enjoyed Donny, his wise sister, and several other characters riding a wave of positivity. I do not have any strong reasons to rate it any less. Instead, I recommend this book for children of all reading ages to teach them the importance of being positive around others and treating everyone equally.
******
Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventure
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: The MECE Muse by Christie Lindor
