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Just Grace #10
Just Grace and the Trouble with Cupcakes
It's time for the school fair, and Just Grace's class has chosen a cupcake theme. But the fair’s highlight, a cupcake competition, causes quite a stir when Grace gets paired with dreadful Owen 1 and not with her best pal, Mimi. Grace is devastated. And just when she thinks things can’t get worse, her team votes down her idea to build a cupcake Eiffel Tower in favor of building Spiderman. It's a challenging time for Grace. Will she be able to overcome her disappointment and lead her team onward? Will Grace’s team ever figure out how to make a Spiderman out of cupcakes? Visit Just Grace’s website at www.justgracebooks.com to find all sorts of fun things, including videos, quizzes, and information about all the Just Grace books.
208 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
28 people are currently reading
163 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
February 20, 2018
Chocolate cupcakes with a white buttercream. Yes, please! I am definitely trying the recipe in the back of the book. This was one of my favorites. I love seeing Grace learn to work with a team and how she maintains her friendship over a rough patch with Mimi. The games the groups came up with for the school fair were very creative!
August 4, 2017
Picked this up due to my insane love of cupcakes, but the writing was just okay. Loved when Grace broke her "pinky promise" with her friend, Mimi, and had to figure out how to fix things, and I liked the message of working with others- even if they are not your besties- to get the job done.
April 14, 2013
Such a cute book--and it comes with a bonus cupcake recipe at the end! I adore this series. More complete review to come.
I've read every book in the Just Grace series, and they have never failed to charm me. Grace is an engaging and wonderful character. Though she is basically good and tries to do the right thing, she has her flaws and foibles like all of us, so it's easy to identify with her. Some minor spoilers to follow.
In this installment, Grace and her friends are excited because it's their year to plan the school fair. In a moment of thoughtlessness, Grace lets slip a suggestion for a cupcake theme for the fair, stealing her best friend Mimi's thunder and causing so much friction between the two of them that Grace ends up on the dreaded Owen 1's team.
My favorite thing about this series is the way it takes issues that are very serious to children this age and gives them thoughtful, serious treatment. In this book, Grace suffers from a big disappointment when the perfect day she'd planned with her grandmother doesn't go the way she'd hoped. I have a daughter this age, and I know how much drama can ensue in a situation like this. Grace has to learn how to deal with her disappointment and, in the end, she and her grandmother make the most of their time together.
Even more dire, Grace's thoughtlessness hurts Mimi's feelings, and then a big misunderstanding between the two threatens to break apart their friendship. Grace's feelings are so authentically dealt with in these sections. She's aware she's done something wrong, and she feels badly about it, but she develops a bit of a chip because of the way she perceives Mimi's reaction. I like that this book points out that things aren't always what they seem, and that the best way to resolve a disagreement is open communication, but this lesson is never dished out in a heavy-handed way.
The third theme in this book is learning to work well with others, which is an invaluable lesson for kids of this age. Grace doesn't mesh well with her group, but she manages to come up with a solution to their assignment that everyone's satisfied with, though Grace does have to make some compromises. I like that the book shows that sometimes you have to go without getting exactly what you want in order to give everyone at least a little of what they want.
I love this series, and am pleased to say that each subsequent book builds on the foundations laid by the first books. They're still fresh and fun and still keep me coming back for the next installment.
I've read every book in the Just Grace series, and they have never failed to charm me. Grace is an engaging and wonderful character. Though she is basically good and tries to do the right thing, she has her flaws and foibles like all of us, so it's easy to identify with her. Some minor spoilers to follow.
In this installment, Grace and her friends are excited because it's their year to plan the school fair. In a moment of thoughtlessness, Grace lets slip a suggestion for a cupcake theme for the fair, stealing her best friend Mimi's thunder and causing so much friction between the two of them that Grace ends up on the dreaded Owen 1's team.
My favorite thing about this series is the way it takes issues that are very serious to children this age and gives them thoughtful, serious treatment. In this book, Grace suffers from a big disappointment when the perfect day she'd planned with her grandmother doesn't go the way she'd hoped. I have a daughter this age, and I know how much drama can ensue in a situation like this. Grace has to learn how to deal with her disappointment and, in the end, she and her grandmother make the most of their time together.
Even more dire, Grace's thoughtlessness hurts Mimi's feelings, and then a big misunderstanding between the two threatens to break apart their friendship. Grace's feelings are so authentically dealt with in these sections. She's aware she's done something wrong, and she feels badly about it, but she develops a bit of a chip because of the way she perceives Mimi's reaction. I like that this book points out that things aren't always what they seem, and that the best way to resolve a disagreement is open communication, but this lesson is never dished out in a heavy-handed way.
The third theme in this book is learning to work well with others, which is an invaluable lesson for kids of this age. Grace doesn't mesh well with her group, but she manages to come up with a solution to their assignment that everyone's satisfied with, though Grace does have to make some compromises. I like that the book shows that sometimes you have to go without getting exactly what you want in order to give everyone at least a little of what they want.
I love this series, and am pleased to say that each subsequent book builds on the foundations laid by the first books. They're still fresh and fun and still keep me coming back for the next installment.
December 19, 2016
Grace and her classmates have been waiting all year to find out when their teacher, Miss Lois, would announce her annual Spring fair. Once the fair is announced, the class will be allowed to vote on a theme and then design games related to the theme. Grace and Mimi both have great ideas, but they make a promise not to pit their ideas against one another when the class votes. If one of their ideas is obviously more popular, the other will just not mention hers. Unfortunately, when the moment finally arrives, Grace’s imagination comes up with the perfect idea - cupcakes! - and she forgets her promise to her best friend. Will the girls patch things up in time for the fair, or will they each have to enjoy the special day on their own?
It seems that middle grade readers just can’t get enough of cupcakes lately, so it’s no surprise that the Just Grace books have hopped on the cupcake bandwagon as well. While I don’t think this book explores much of anything new in Grace’s world, it won’t disappoint fans. It has everything readers have come to expect from this series - a fun classroom activity, unexpected niceness from usually annoying boys, a misunderstanding between Grace and her closest friend, and a few family moments, this time including a visit from Grace’s beloved Grandma. The clever comics that illustrate each page as are as charming as ever, and the cupcake games the kids came up with are the kind of things real kids could easily recreate and try with their own friends.
Another fun aspect of this particular story is Grace’s new penchant for creating new words. For example, she combines “yummy” and “delicious” to create yummilicious, and “sad” and “jealous” to make “sadlous” in situations where just one word’s meaning doesn’t quite describe her feelings. I can see kids who read this book getting hooked on the idea themselves. If a group in the same class read this book, it could even become a fun assignment for them to work on together!
It seems that middle grade readers just can’t get enough of cupcakes lately, so it’s no surprise that the Just Grace books have hopped on the cupcake bandwagon as well. While I don’t think this book explores much of anything new in Grace’s world, it won’t disappoint fans. It has everything readers have come to expect from this series - a fun classroom activity, unexpected niceness from usually annoying boys, a misunderstanding between Grace and her closest friend, and a few family moments, this time including a visit from Grace’s beloved Grandma. The clever comics that illustrate each page as are as charming as ever, and the cupcake games the kids came up with are the kind of things real kids could easily recreate and try with their own friends.
Another fun aspect of this particular story is Grace’s new penchant for creating new words. For example, she combines “yummy” and “delicious” to create yummilicious, and “sad” and “jealous” to make “sadlous” in situations where just one word’s meaning doesn’t quite describe her feelings. I can see kids who read this book getting hooked on the idea themselves. If a group in the same class read this book, it could even become a fun assignment for them to work on together!
September 2, 2014
Miss Lois's 3rd grade puts on the yearly School Fair and Grace is so excited. The class gets to pick the theme of the fair. Grace and her friend Mimi promise each other they will not go up against each other when Miss Lois, their teacher, begins choosing the idea for the spring fair. Unfortunately, the excitment of the moment got to Grace and she blurted out "Cupcakes", right after Mimi shared her idea of "Candy". Candy was a shoo in for the winner until Grace came along. Now, Mimi and Grace are not speaking. Miss Lois announces "Cupcakes" as the winner and places students into groups. Grace is stuck with Owen 1, Ruth and Robert as group mates. Grace is very sad and afraid that Mimi will never speak to her again. The third grade drama continues you'll have to read "Just Grace an the Trouble with Cupcakes" to find out how things end up.
This is a great book for 3-5th graders both boys and girls and would make a good read aloud. The book has humor, illustrations and good vocabulary. I love the way grace puts two words together and creates one word (ie. "Fun + Nice = Fice"). What a good activity to do in the classroom in groups. Kids could make up words in groups and pass them to another group so they could guess what words they put together to create their word. The book also has a cupcake recipe at the end that kids could make.
This is a great book for 3-5th graders both boys and girls and would make a good read aloud. The book has humor, illustrations and good vocabulary. I love the way grace puts two words together and creates one word (ie. "Fun + Nice = Fice"). What a good activity to do in the classroom in groups. Kids could make up words in groups and pass them to another group so they could guess what words they put together to create their word. The book also has a cupcake recipe at the end that kids could make.
June 27, 2013
More fun from third grader Grace whose idea of a cupcake theme for the class fair is chosen after she and her best friend Mimi promised not to compete against each other. (And they even did a pinky swear about that.) Naturally, Mimi is angry, and their friendship is endangered especially when Grace's letter of apology goes awry. Despite her reluctance to work with others, Grace ends up enjoying her new group, after all. Young readers who've read the other books in this series will enjoy this one just as much as the others as Grace continues to train Mr. Scruffers and deal with some of life's disappointments. Just because things don't always work out the way Grace hopes they will doesn't mean that there aren't other possibilities that will be just as satisfying.
February 25, 2023
Nice series. Judy Moody type books, recommended by my granddaughter.
The school fair and a visit from Grandma, who has the best cupcake recipe ever!
The recipe is included at the end of the book. Interesting, in that it SEEMS like the ingredients couldn't possibly be correct. SOOO much butter, not much confectioner's sugar, etc... but I almost want to try it to see!
The author likes to teach us a lesson with the story. In this one Grace deals with the bad feelings she has after breaking a promise to a friend.
The books have some editing errors, which is unfortunate when new readers are reading them. Not too distracting but they are there and I always notice those things!
The school fair and a visit from Grandma, who has the best cupcake recipe ever!
The recipe is included at the end of the book. Interesting, in that it SEEMS like the ingredients couldn't possibly be correct. SOOO much butter, not much confectioner's sugar, etc... but I almost want to try it to see!
The author likes to teach us a lesson with the story. In this one Grace deals with the bad feelings she has after breaking a promise to a friend.
The books have some editing errors, which is unfortunate when new readers are reading them. Not too distracting but they are there and I always notice those things!
May 3, 2013
This is a great series for kids who like Junie B. Jones, Clementine, Katie Kazoo, Ivy and Bean, and the like. It's a story about a somewhat quirky 3rd grader and her best friend and next door neighbor, Mimi. It deals with small events and common threads in a third grader's life--misunderstandings between friends, school carnivals, teaching a dog new tricks, a visit from grandma. Not too much drama, but cute illustrations drawn by the main character (who likes to do cartoons) and a gentle story make this a good fit for grades 2-4.
August 5, 2013
This is written in a writer's notebook format from the point of view of 3rd grader Grace. Her feelings and empathy for friends and even her non friends is positive and a good message for young readers. The quirky cartoons dotted throughout the story are adorable, keeping new readers focused and entertained. The subject of cupcakes is a winning recipe for success with elementary readers, there's even a recipe for them at the end of the story.
April 22, 2016
Grace and her classmates are voting on a theme for the school fair. Every third grader in Ms. Liosa's class is going to make up a game. Any third grader can do it but in Ms. Liosa's class everybody has to do it (in other classes they can pick if they want to do it or not). Grace's mom had to be the Giant Cupcake - she had to dress up in a giant cupcake suit. She didn't want to, but she was the only person left after everyone else said no.
December 12, 2014
I read this with my second grade daughter, and it is a perfect book for that age. The main character, Grace, is spunky and kind. Even when she is teamed with classmates who are not her best friends, she still does what a good citizen should do. Just Grace sets a good example for children to follow, and the story is positive and upbeat. Skip Junie B. Jones and grab this book.
July 19, 2013
Charming addition to the Just Grace series.
Our family has been reading them all together, and look forward to each new installment. This one doesn't disappoint. Ms. Harper does a fabulous job with friendships, feelings, and empathy, as always :)
Our family has been reading them all together, and look forward to each new installment. This one doesn't disappoint. Ms. Harper does a fabulous job with friendships, feelings, and empathy, as always :)
April 23, 2014
Isabelle and I read this together. We like the Just Grace series. She is a good person who is kind to her friends and family. She comes up with reasonable solutions to her problems and the illustrations throughout are cute. Good book for 3rd-4th grade girls.
June 27, 2013
As always, a fun read with lots of kid appeal.
September 25, 2013
Cute, if a bit syrupy. While not as hilarious as Clementine, fans of that series might enjoy.
October 11, 2013
Good read aloud with my favorite eight year old.
October 25, 2013
Grace is a third-grader who accidentally says something in class that makes her best friend upset. Cupcakes are good and bad in this illustrated chapter book!
December 29, 2013
Kate and I read together. First chapter book we have read. Mediocre story, but I liked that it combined writing with comic like pictures/phrases. They helped with entertaining her.
April 2, 2014
The best thing about being in Ms. Lois’s class is the spring fair. Third-grader Grace has to cook up a creative compromise just in time to save the day at the cupcake-themed fair.
April 8, 2014
Another good installment in the Just Grace series, this time featuring the school fair and cupcakes - recipe in the back. My third and fourth grade girls love this series.
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January 28, 2015This book is a must read for young readers.
March 7, 2016
Not as charming as earlier books in the series.
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May 9, 2018Don't use this sight
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews