Synopses & Reviews
Fresh, innovative, and loaded with laugh-out-loud wit and humor, Just Grace is a series
that stands out from the pack, just like Grace herself. Author Charise Harper weaves
together distinctive, quirky illustrations and vibrant characters in fast-paced stories that
capture familiar school and family situations that every young girl can relate to in a truly
authentic voice. Artist, comedian, animal-lover, environmentalist, cook, sister, good friend
—Grace is the quintessential 3rd grader… just a little bit… different.
In this eighth addition to the series—Grace has major problems. Her neighbor is
getting married and she has to get over her disappointment at not being chosen for a
flower girl, not to mention figure out what to give as a wedding present! But with a touch
of girl power, Grace musters up a fantastic idea that takes a lot of planning and a little
help from all of her friends; her dog, Mr. Scruffers; and Crinkles the cat. Will her plan go
off without a hitch on wedding day?
Review
"[Napoleon's] disappearance adds an unexpected element of mystery to the narrative, which conveys a certain amount of information along with a vibrant attitude toward learning, an appreciation for the children's varied personalities, and a wry sense of humor."
and#8212;Booklist
"As always, the story is full of spot-on dialogue that captures every enthusiastic remark or bashful comment added by these winning second graders. It combines with a compelling story structure that is not only highly readable, but entertainingly informative."
and#8212;Kirkus
"A great choice for beginning chapter-book readers."
and#8212;School Library Journal
"With apt jokes, recognizable classroom curriculum, and comfortably familiar characters, not to mention sly jabs at censorship, Lowry's Gooney Bird and her skeletal adventures will satisfy readers who appreciate a humerus tale."
and#8212;Bulletin for the Center of Children's Books
Review
"Peppered with Grace's comics, this charmingly depicts school and family strife with the beloved third grader's witty flair."
and#8212;School Library Journal
"The beleivable first-person narration, large type, and childlike line drawings make this and other volumes in the Just Grace series appealing, accessible choices for young readers."
and#8212;Booklist
Review
The kids come alive in the story, and Harper enhances the comical goings-on with sparkling cartoon sketches. Give this to...anyone looking for a funny book.
Booklist, ALA, Starred Review
Just Grace--so named because she is the fourth Grace in her classroom--is an engaging and empathetic little girl who enjoys drawing, helping others and making lists. . . . An appealing chapter book with just a hint of mystery for middle-grade girls.
Kirkus Reviews
Grace's spirited annotated drawings and her inimitable narrative's arrangement into brief vignettes makes this a good choice for kids just beginning to tackle chapter books.
Publishers Weekly
"This charming book [is] written in an authentic young voice...just delightful fun...very appealing chick lit lite..." - Vicki's Bookshelf Midwest Book Review
Review
"With short, snappy sentences and lots of small black-and-white cartoons, the book features young grade-schoolersand#8217; realistic talks about feeling mad, jealous, and happy with classmates and family (and#8220;How to make a bad day worseand#8221;).Grace is also concerned about pollution and what kids can do about it, and Harper offers specific suggestions, from recycling and decorating plastic water bottles to saving endangered red pandas, switching off the lights at home, and holding a yard sale. Instead of boring arithmatic, Grace wants exciting lessons about how to save the planet, and readers will want them too after finishing this enjoyable read."--
Booklist "Girls who are settling into chapter book series featuring Clementine and Judy Moody will love the fast pace and familiar school and family situations. Graceand#8217;s amusing lists and headlines such as "How to Make a Bad Day Worse" and "What I Did That Was Unusual" will keep readers entertained, and Harperand#8217;s sketches add interest and break up the text, leaving the new reader time to pause and smile."--Horn Book
"This is an appealing book for early chapter-book readers. Fans of the series are sure to enjoy it, but it can stand on its own."--School Library Journal
"A fun read for kids and adults."--BookPage
Review
"New characters, such as the hyperactive and#8220;Owen 1,and#8221; keep the story fresh, but readers will most enjoy Graceand#8217;s angst-ridden first-person narrative, delivered with her usual comic touch. Cartoon illustrations (and directions for creating a zine) enliven the text and help to showcase Graceand#8217;s artistic talent. A sixth adventure is planned."--Booklist
Review
"[R]uminations about the ways that people--and animals--may not be what they seemand#8230;provideand#8230;entertainment and food for thought." Kirkus 3/15/08
Kirkus Reviews
"Perfect for beginning chapter book readersand#8230;Youngsters will identify with the protagonistand#8230;Everything rings true in the book.and#8221; SLJ March 2008 School Library Journal
"Harper has created a quick enjoyable read in this third 'Grace' book. "- LMC 05/01/08 Library Media Connection
"...expertly written in realistic and easy-to-read first-person narrative...Harper perfectly captures the voice and language of a spunky 8-year-old." Pittsburg Post Gazette
Review
Just Grace and the Terrible Tutu on our Fall 2010 list
Just Grace and the Snack Attack
"New characters, such as the hyperactive "Owen 1," keep the story fresh, but readers will most enjoy Grace's angst-ridden first-person narrative, delivered with her usual comic touch. Cartoon illustrations (and directions for creating a zine) enliven the text and help to showcase Grace's artistic talent." --Booklist
"[R]eaders will appreciate her straightforward, honest discussion of strong emotions they'll be sure to relate to." --Horn Book
Just Grace Goes Green
"Girls who are settling into chapter book series featuring Clementine and Judy Moody will love the fast pace and familiar school and family situations. . . . Harperand#8217;s sketches add interest and break up the text, leaving the new reader time to pause and smile. "-Horn Book
Just Grace Walks the Dog
"Graceand#8217;s cartoon illustrations and charts enliven the conversational, first-person text. . .Her ruminations about the ways that peopleand#8212;and animalsand#8212;may not be what they seem will provide both entertainment and food for thought for a wide range of readers."and#8212;Kirkus Reviews
"Harper has created a quick enjoyable read in this third 'Grace' book."and#8212;Library Media Connection
Still Just Grace
"Harper's strength is her understanding of third-grade angst...she explores with a comic touch...Suggest this reassuring look at friendship and family to fans of Judy Moody and Clementine." and#8212;Booklist
"Dealing with the problems of friendship and change in a lively way...a good addition to the middle-grade shelves." and#8212;School Library Journal
Just Grace
Booksense Summer Selection 2007
"The kids come alive in the story, and Harper, the author of several previous books, including the graphic novel Fashion Kitty (2005), enhances the comical goings-on with sparkling cartoon sketches. Equally delightful is the wry voice of energetic Just Grace, who never misses an opportunity to point out the injustices life has dealt her. Sheand#8217;s a hero through and through. Give this to fans of Ann Nagdaand#8217;s Meow Means Mischief (2003) or anyone looking for a funny book." and#8212;Booklist, starred review
"Grace is a funny, mischievous protagonist who should easily find a place in the pantheon of precocious third graders. Fans of Amber Brown, Clementine, and Judy Moody will love her." and#8212;School Library Journal
Synopsis
In this eighth installment of the beloved Just Grace series, Grace finds out she's invited to a wedding! A rich combination of art and text, this book perfectly captures the ups and downs of the life of a third-grader.
Synopsis
The ninth installment in this illustrated middle grade series builds upon the delightful adventures of Grace, a curious and well-meaning third grader who occasionally gets into a little bit of trouble. And this time, Grace shines on stage!
Synopsis
In a starred review, Booklist called the Just Grace series “hilarious” and said, “Give this to . . . anyone looking for a funny book.” Grace is a curious and well-meaning third-grader who occasionally gets into a little bit of trouble. This time, her class is putting on a play, and Grace is determined to be the star! But things dont work out quite like she planned, and Marta gets the role. Grace is jealous at first, but soon realizes theres more than one way to shine on stage. This is an act that fans of Judy Moody and Clementine surely wont want to miss!
Synopsis
In this eighthand#160;paperback installment of the popularand#160;Just Grace series,and#160;third-grader Graceand#160;Stewart finds out she's invited to a wedding. And even though she's NOT the flower girl, Grace gets involved in a big way along with a menagerie ofand#160;cats and dogs!and#160;
Synopsis
Grace has major problems. Her favorite grown-up neighbor is getting married, and she has to get over her disappointment aboutand#160;not being chosen for a flower girl. She also has toand#160;figure out what to give as a wedding present!and#160;With a touch ofand#160; girland#160;power, Grace musters up a fantastic idea that takes a lot of planning and a little help from all of her friends and a menagerie of cats and dogs.and#160;But will her plan go
off without a hitch on the wedding day? Find out in this eighth paperback in the popular Just Grace series!
Synopsis
Gooney Bird Greeneand#8217;s uncle, Dr. Oglethorpe, has lent her second-grade classroom a real skeleton to help them study the human body. But when the skeleton goes missing, Gooney Bird must play the role of detective and lead her class in investigating the mystery at hand. Gooney is as funny, enthusiastic, and charming as ever in this sixth installment of the acclaimed series by two time Newbery Medalist Lois Lowry.
Synopsis
andquot;A great choice for beginning chapter-book readers.andquot;
andmdash;SLJandquot;With apt jokes, recognizable classroom curriculum, and comfortably familiar characters, not to mention sly jabs at censorship, Lowryand#39;s Gooney Bird and her skeletal adventures will satisfy readers who appreciate a humerus tale.andquot; andmdash;The Bulletin
Gooney Bird Greeneandrsquo;s uncle, Dr. Oglethorpe, has lent her second grade classroom a real skeleton to help them study the human body. But when the skeleton goes missing, Gooney Bird must play the role of detective and lead her class in investigating the mystery at hand. Each book in the Gooney Bird series covers one month and one topic of the school year.
Synopsis
In the twelfth installment in the Just Grace series, Just Grace gets crafty!
Synopsis
Grace loves cats. She also loves taking pictures of cats and drawing Not-So Super comics. She doesnt like Sammy Stringer, a boy in her class. Shes got lots and lots of ideas, and when her neighbors cat goes missing, Grace does her best to make Mrs. Luther feel less lonely. But as the mystery of the missing cat continues, Graces well-intentioned plan backfires, and she finds herself in a bit of trouble. Maybe, just maybe, Sammy Stringer will help her through.
Synopsis
Grace can do a lot of things...but can she save the planet???? Or at the very least, can she help her best friend Mimi get her favorite stuffed animal back?
Lots of exciting things are happening to Grace and her friends. Most exciting of all, Mimi's older cousin Gwen is coming to stay with Mimi, and Miss Lois's class is GOING GREEN! For their "green" project, Grace and Mimi aim to inspire their friends and classmates to conserve plastic bottles. But a far more important issue is that Gwen has taken a strong liking to Mimi's favorite stuffed toy, Willoughby. Just Grace uses her empathy superpower to figure out ways to make her best friend feel better, and she makes a difference for the environment too. Yard sales, toy owls, decorated plastic water bottles, flaming onion rings, and a very entrepreneurial Sammy Stringer make this another winning entry in the JUST GRACE series.
Synopsis
After reading thisand#160;new book about Just Grace you will know how to . . . 1.and#160;turn your favorite potato chips into a tasty chipwich.
2.and#160;draw and fold up your very own zine, which is a cool little book made from only one piece of paper.
3.and#160;look for and use the special powers of the wish chip. This book will not help you know how to . . . 1.and#160;do fancy hairstyles for your cat.
2.and#160;make a flower garden in your room.
3.and#160;bake a four- or even five-layer cake. But this book might make you feel a little bit hungry, and if it does, then you will know you are having a and#8220;snack attackand#8221; just like Grace! and#160; Move over Judy Moody, Amber Brown and Clementine, there's a new spunky third grader on the block!and#160;and#160;and#160; Learn more about Just Grace at www.justgracebooks.com
Synopsis
Everyoneandrsquo;s favorite Grace is back. And this time she has a dog.
Unfortunately, heandrsquo;s only made of cardboard and rides a skate board. Grace is determined though to prove to her parents that she is responsible and dependable enough to get a real dog.
Things you learn in this book:
1. Sometimes it is okay to be sneaky if you donandrsquo;t get caught.
2. How to do flashlight Morse code.
3. What happened at school that was exciting: nothing.
4. How it feels to walk into your class after going to the principalandrsquo;s office!
5. Many other things, but most important, how to convince your parents to MAYBE let you get a dog. A real one, not one made of cardboard.
Synopsis
In the sixth installment of the acclaimed Just Grace series, best friends Grace and Mimi take on a new adventure as mother's helpers when they learn Mimi's going to be a big sister! Playful and easy to relate to, Just Grace and the Terrible Tutu is perfect for emerging chapter book readers.
Synopsis
In this sixth installment in the Just Grace series, Grace and Mimi have a secret . . . Mimi is going to be a big sister. Then when Lily, a visiting four year old, turns into the Terrible Tutu, Grace can't escape her, and Mimi can't wait to be with her. Using all her empathy powers Grace shows Lily and Mimi the creative path towards a new friendship.
Synopsis
In this seventh installment in the Just Grace series, any day now Graceand#8217;s best friend in the whole world, Mimi, is going to be getting a brand-new sister. Grace is really excited, plus nervous, plus worried, plus happy all mixed together. But both Grace and Mimi are in for a surprise when they find out that Mimiand#8217;s family is not adopting a brand-new sisterand#8212;and instead she is getting a brand-new brother. (Oh, brother!) And to heighten the excitement even further, Grace is in for another big surprise!
About the Author
Alongside the and#8220;Just Grace" series, Charise Mericle Harper is the author and illustrator of many books for children. Just Grace and the Snack Attack is Harper's fifth book in the series. In a starred review, Booklist called Just Grace and#8220;hilariousand#8221; and said, and#8220;The kids come alive in the story, and Harper enhances the comical goings-on with sparkling cartoon sketches. Give this to . . . anyone looking for a funny book.and#8221; Charise lives in Mamaroneck, NY.