Title: Grace Happens Author: Jan M. Czech
Publisher: Viking, New York, 2005
Readers Annotation:
Grace, the daughter of a rich and famous movie star, is suddenly brought to a vacation home that she knew nothing about. Upon arrival, Grace discovers that the house belongs to her mother, and finally learns the secrets of her past and the identity of her father.
Author Information:
Jan M. Czech has authored seven additional books for young children, three picture books, three non-fiction books, and a middle grade novel. Moreover, Jan has a number of published articles in Roots and Wings, Western New York Family, The Buffalo News, and Children's Writer. Czech is also a teacher for The Institute of Children's Literate, and a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, and the Association of Professional Women Writers.
Jan Czech is a former middle school teacher, and lives in Western New York with her family. Jan is married with a daughter, and owns two cats. One of her favorite vacation destinations is Martha's Vineyard, making her intimately familiar with the setting that is portrayed in her novel, Grace Happens.
Plot Summary:
Grace isn't a mainstream high school student with friends, family, and a typical school life. Instead, she follows her A-list movie star mother to all her sets, and lives in a studio trailer most of the year. Her private tutor Toffee, who is also the family cook, along with Camilla the nanny, help care for her. Grace's mother, Constance Meredith, has raised Grace without any other family members, including grandparents, aunts, or uncles. In fact, family is a topic that is considered taboo in the Meredith household, so Grace knows nothing about her own father. Suddenly, in the middle of a movie production, the male lead hurts his foot, and the movie is put on hold. Grace's mother decides that it is time to bring Grace to her old home, and tell her the secrets of her past. Grace finds a friend who helps her along this journey of discovery, something she's never had before. She also deals with the conflicting feelings of living in her mother's old home, and finding out her secret family history.
Critical Evaluation:
Grace Happens explores the many relationships in the life of a female teenager. The reader gets a glimpse of the bonds between a daughter and her mother, between a girl and her newly discovered father, between a privileged adolescent and her caretakers, and between two new friends. These relationships are laden with elements of both happiness and disappointment, lending a deep layer of realism to the story. The piece is contemporary with an 'everyday life' tone. The prose is written in a simplistic and direct style, without a lot of characterization. Despite this, the reader is acutely aware of the emotions of the female protagonist, as the story is told from her point of view. The plot deals with the uncertainties of a teenage girl and her fluctuating emotions, especially in relation to her unknown and very guarded family history. This secretive family background lends an aspect of mystery to the narration. Throughout, Grace endeavors to discover that which has been hidden from her all her life.
Genre: Realistic Fiction/Coming of Age
Curriculum Ties: English - Keeping secrets, Parenting
Booktalking Ideas:
1. Grace's mother is famous movie star, and Grace lives with her year round in various locations. How would you feel if your parent was a famous movie star, and living that ever-changing life?
2. Grace has never met her father and never been told his identity. Do you know anyone who hasn't had a father around when growing up?
Reading Level/Interest Age: 12+
Challenge Issue: none
Why I chose this item: When searching for YA material, I found this in the young adult section of books usually assigned to teenagers at my local library.
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