Just Grace

Title: Just Grace

Author: Charise Mericle Harper
Blue Stem Nominee (2012)

“Just Grace” has a problem; and it isn’t that she is one of four Grace's in Miss Lois’s third grade classroom or that Sammy Stringer keeps smiling at her as if they were friends. It is that her French neighbor, Augustine Dupre, has informed her that her other crazy neighbor (and teacher at her school), Mrs. Luther, cries every night because her cat, Crinkles, is afraid of her and her bright orange cast and has run away. Realizing that sometimes other people’s problem are worse than your own, “Just Grace” and her best friend Mimi set out to appease Mrs. Luther’s sadness. Before long, Grace and Mimi find themselves in a world of trouble and the only way to get themselves out just might involve Sammy Stringer.

Though I don’t see young boys particularly enjoying this book, I do think it is a good read that female students would enjoy. The chapters are short, and the story is fast-paced and full of humor. It is also adventure-packed and leaves the reader wondering what “Just Grace” will do next. Instructionally, I see this book as a good source for building vocabulary. Countless times throughout the text difficult words and concepts are explained in “Just Grace” terms. This makes the story both informational and entertaining and saves the students the time of having to possibly look words up for meaning clarifications.