Bravo, Grace! (Grace-junior Readers) - Hardcover

MARY HOFFMAN is the internationally acclaimed author of over 100 books for children, ranging from picture books to teenage fiction. Her first picture book for Frances Lincoln, Amazing Grace, has become a classic which, with its sequels in the series, has sold 1.5 million copies worldwide. Mary's other picture books for Frances Lincoln include The Colour of Home with Karin Littlewood and An Angel Just Like Me with Cornelius van Wright, as well as the hugely successful The Great Big Book of Families, The Great Big Book of Feelings, and Welcome to the Family, all with Ros Asquith. Their next title together will be The Great Big Body Book. Mary Hoffman lives in Oxfordshire. For more information about her books visit her website: www.maryhoffman.co.uk

Grade 3-5–The protagonist of picture books Amazing Grace (1991) and Boundless Grace (1995) and chapter books Starring Grace (2000) and Encore, Grace! (2003, all Penguin) returns for another installment. The child is growing up and things are changing. She has always had an adventurous imagination, but now she needs to face the realistic aspects of life as well. In the past year, her elderly friend, Mrs. Myerson, died; her mother remarried; and her best friend moved away. Now Grace takes on a new friend with a serious problem, moves to a new house, and learns that she's going to be a big sister. Background information is provided in a way that won't bore readers already familiar with the first two books in the series. However, the location of Grace's town and her exact age are unclear. Full-page sketches are well done and reflect corresponding chapter scenes. The eloquent writing style allows the author to introduce serious topics in a manner that's appropriate for this audience. Those familiar with Grace will embrace this continuing story of her life, and new readers will be enchanted with this creative and compassionate African-American girl with quite an entertaining imagination. Hoffman does a fine job with this story about life, love, friendships, and real problems that many children face.–Amanda Rose Conover, St. Johns County Public Library System, Ponte Vedra Beach Branch, FL
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