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Willow Falls #5
Graceful
Angelina D'Angelo has left town to see the world. It's now Grace's turn to use her magic to protect the people of Willow Falls, and she is up to the challenge. This is her destiny, after all. But destiny is a funny thing—it doesn't always behave the way you'd expect it to.
Mysterious postcards from Angelina begin showing up in the mail, Grace's parents are freaking out with worry, and something BIG is coming to town that will affect everybody who lives there. But all Grace is powerful enough to do is turn leftover meat loaf into pizza.
Fortunately, she's not alone. She has Team Grace on her side! Amanda, Leo, Rory, Tara, David, and Connor know a thing or two about magic and how it works. But none of them are prepared for what's coming, and none of them know how to stop it. Life in Willow Falls is about to change forever.
Mysterious postcards from Angelina begin showing up in the mail, Grace's parents are freaking out with worry, and something BIG is coming to town that will affect everybody who lives there. But all Grace is powerful enough to do is turn leftover meat loaf into pizza.
Fortunately, she's not alone. She has Team Grace on her side! Amanda, Leo, Rory, Tara, David, and Connor know a thing or two about magic and how it works. But none of them are prepared for what's coming, and none of them know how to stop it. Life in Willow Falls is about to change forever.
246 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2015
168 people are currently reading
2349 people want to read
About the author
Wendy Mass
83 books3,692 followersWendy Mass is the author of thirty novels for young people, including A Mango-Shaped Space, which was awarded the Schneider Family Book Award, Leap Day, the Twice Upon a Time fairy tale series, Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life, Heaven Looks a Lot Like the Mall, the Willow Falls, Space Taxi and Candymakers series. Wendy wrote the storyline for an episode of the television show Monk, entitled "Mr. Monk Goes to the Theatre," which aired during the show's second season. She tells people her hobbies are hiking and photography, but really they're collecting candy bar wrappers and searching for buried treasure with her metal detector. Wendy lives with her family in New Jersey.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 277 reviews
January 9, 2021
Graceful is the book Wendy Mass didn't plan to write, the final final chapter of her Willow Falls series after The Last Present turned out not to be the resolution her fans anticipated. The series could have ended there with no problem, but the author elected to fashion a more thorough conclusion to the story of Amanda, Leo, Rory, Tara, David, Connor, ten-year-old Grace, and Angelina D'Angelo, mystical caretaker of the town of Willow Falls for more than a century. Graceful takes on that challenge and performs well, in my opinion surpassing The Last Present as a series wrap-up, bringing meaningful closure and a glimpse of the future for this group of kids we've come to love. Wendy Mass can close a story with the best of them.
"What is the rush to end your childhood?...The turning of the planet will march you inevitably forward either way. I've been alive more than a century and it still doesn't feel like enough."
—Angelina, Graceful, P. 59
Angelina has transferred her magic to Grace and left Willow Falls for parts unknown, but the adventure isn't over. The elderly enchantress left Grace the key to her resale shop for a reason, though it doesn't open the door, leaving Team Grace (made up of Amanda, Leo, and the rest) puzzled and uneasy. Grace's full powers have bounced back since she drained them by combining energies with Angelina to bring David's father out of his years-long coma, but her supernatural insight yields only clues, not definitive answers, to what she should do now. A crisis of magic is on the verge of hitting Willow Falls; its people have been protected by Angelina's spells for longer than anyone can remember, but the magic suddenly shows signs of fading, and Angelina isn't around to explain why. She occasionally sends one-way messages to Grace, but they're cryptic and omit crucial details, leaving Team Grace to find a solution on their own. The concealed vortex responsible for the weirdness of Willow Falls has gone haywire, and time is running out to pinpoint its location and fix the issue. Secrets still abound in Willow Falls, but Grace is capable of deciphering them and countering the trouble they cause. Finding the vortex is the first step toward a decision that will alter Willow Falls for the foreseeable future, and the decision is Grace's alone. However that future turns out, she and her friends will share a bond for life.
"Do not forget, life is a dance between making things happen and letting things happen."
—Graceful, P. 172
Why do I love the Willow Falls series? At its best, we feel like participants in the story, experiencing it as part of the group with Grace, Amanda, and the rest, and that feeling of inclusion is priceless. If you've missed out on it at any point in your life, you'll find what you need in these books. The uncertainty, worry, and wounds of life weigh heavily, but having friends who love you means you don't bear those burdens alone. There's no replacement for close friendship, and Wendy Mass's portrayal of it in this series is subtle and lovely. I'd embark on an adventure with these characters anytime.
You'll find answers in Graceful to most of your remaining questions about the series, and a black-and-white photo of Jake Harrison and Rory on page one hundred one in case you wondered what they look like. I'm glad Wendy Mass went back to Willow Falls to tie up loose ends; I liked The Last Present, but this is a better ending. I'd rate Graceful two and a half stars, and could have rounded up to three. A few deeply validating sentiments expressed between main characters in the final chapters makes the book worth reading. I'll miss this cast of kids, and that's a sure sign the series does its job of burrowing into readers' hearts. I wish the best and beyond for Grace and all the friends I found here, for them to go at life with every ounce of gusto in them, magic or none. The rest of their story is just beginning. May they and we enjoy every blessing life offers.
"What is the rush to end your childhood?...The turning of the planet will march you inevitably forward either way. I've been alive more than a century and it still doesn't feel like enough."
—Angelina, Graceful, P. 59
Angelina has transferred her magic to Grace and left Willow Falls for parts unknown, but the adventure isn't over. The elderly enchantress left Grace the key to her resale shop for a reason, though it doesn't open the door, leaving Team Grace (made up of Amanda, Leo, and the rest) puzzled and uneasy. Grace's full powers have bounced back since she drained them by combining energies with Angelina to bring David's father out of his years-long coma, but her supernatural insight yields only clues, not definitive answers, to what she should do now. A crisis of magic is on the verge of hitting Willow Falls; its people have been protected by Angelina's spells for longer than anyone can remember, but the magic suddenly shows signs of fading, and Angelina isn't around to explain why. She occasionally sends one-way messages to Grace, but they're cryptic and omit crucial details, leaving Team Grace to find a solution on their own. The concealed vortex responsible for the weirdness of Willow Falls has gone haywire, and time is running out to pinpoint its location and fix the issue. Secrets still abound in Willow Falls, but Grace is capable of deciphering them and countering the trouble they cause. Finding the vortex is the first step toward a decision that will alter Willow Falls for the foreseeable future, and the decision is Grace's alone. However that future turns out, she and her friends will share a bond for life.
"Do not forget, life is a dance between making things happen and letting things happen."
—Graceful, P. 172
Why do I love the Willow Falls series? At its best, we feel like participants in the story, experiencing it as part of the group with Grace, Amanda, and the rest, and that feeling of inclusion is priceless. If you've missed out on it at any point in your life, you'll find what you need in these books. The uncertainty, worry, and wounds of life weigh heavily, but having friends who love you means you don't bear those burdens alone. There's no replacement for close friendship, and Wendy Mass's portrayal of it in this series is subtle and lovely. I'd embark on an adventure with these characters anytime.
You'll find answers in Graceful to most of your remaining questions about the series, and a black-and-white photo of Jake Harrison and Rory on page one hundred one in case you wondered what they look like. I'm glad Wendy Mass went back to Willow Falls to tie up loose ends; I liked The Last Present, but this is a better ending. I'd rate Graceful two and a half stars, and could have rounded up to three. A few deeply validating sentiments expressed between main characters in the final chapters makes the book worth reading. I'll miss this cast of kids, and that's a sure sign the series does its job of burrowing into readers' hearts. I wish the best and beyond for Grace and all the friends I found here, for them to go at life with every ounce of gusto in them, magic or none. The rest of their story is just beginning. May they and we enjoy every blessing life offers.
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September 15, 2024Lowkey wished I lived in Willow falls :/
January 22, 2016
Graceful, by Wendy mass, is a fiction book themed around trust and friendship. The book starts by jumping in from the ending of the previous book. Grace, a 10 year old girl, wakes up from a coma, and feels really different. She starts to see things that no one else can, like connections between others. " I could see the strings in between that connected me to the whole town." Grace later learns that this feeling is that she can see connections within the whole town. Can she handle the responsibility?
I highly suggest this book to people who have read the pervious books in the series. This book starts out by just jumping in from the last one, I wish that they would have gave more background information for the readers that didn't read the other books in the series. One highlight from the book that I liked was how midway the book changed perspectives. This gives you a sense of what other people are thinking. But overall, this book is a very good read.
I highly suggest this book to people who have read the pervious books in the series. This book starts out by just jumping in from the last one, I wish that they would have gave more background information for the readers that didn't read the other books in the series. One highlight from the book that I liked was how midway the book changed perspectives. This gives you a sense of what other people are thinking. But overall, this book is a very good read.
December 6, 2025
i wanted rory and jake to be endgame 💔
August 22, 2015
While I enjoyed this series and was sad to see it end, this last book disappointed me. The Last Present satisfied me and seemed like a good place to end the series. While Graceful provided good writing and entertainment, the storyline didn't grab me like the other books in the series. Overall 3/5 stars; I would recommend stopping after The Last Present.
Want to read
April 17, 2015SO EXCITED!!!
October 1, 2015
So so so good! Sad to see that the series is over.
January 21, 2020
Okay, this story/series was completely precious and I'm having serious book-withdrawals from it right now.
I began "11 Birthdays" because I recognized the title and cover from shopping children's literature enough both as a kid and now as a teacher. I decided to read it on a whim. I got swept into the supposedly ordinary town of Willow Falls, expecting a typical coming-of-age story. Not only was it a great story on friendship, forgiveness, family, and tradition, but it was funny and clever and relevant to today's middle-grade readers. I would happily share this book with my students to do a novel study on and everyone could find something to connect to. Then, I discovered "11 Birthdays" was part of a series. So I read "Finally" and enjoyed it enough. I continued on with "13 Gifts" and LOVED the scavenger-hunt of mysterious items and gathering friends along the way. "The Last Present" wrapped up the entire series neatly and I felt closure.
When I saw that "Graceful" was the actual series ending (and that it had mixed reviews), I was ready for another trip to Willow Falls (mind you, I have done all of this time-travel, Angelina hubbub in a less than two-week period).
The layout and narrator is unique since it's told from mainly Grace A. Kelly's perspective, as the previous books have been formatted with the primary heroine sharing their point-of-view. But every few chapters the reader will get diary entries from Amanda, poetry from Leo, Tara's letters to her pen pal, texts from Rory, Connor's invention log entries, or emails by David. Additionally, some Teen Scene updates regarding Jake Harrison fills us in on our favorite teen actor, wanna-be director. It all is nicely laid out throughout the story to provide necessary POV of the respective characters, told true to their style of presentation, and not overwhelming to confuse the reader despite having several Willow Falls kids to keep up with.
Grace's reaction to her new situation is mature for a kid turning ten, but she does have the help, support, and opinions of the above-mentioned and additionally Ray to keep Team Grace grounded, helpful, and fun. The first 3/4 of the novel is entertaining, but the last act, the final few chapters really seal the deal on my book-hangover. The glimpses were everything I didn't know I needed about the friends. It was exactly as it should be.
I wasn't sure if I needed another Willow Falls installment after the first, fun four novels by Wendy Mass. After reading "Graceful", I'm not only positive The Willow Falls series needs it, but all middle-grade readers (and beyond) should be encouraged to read all five books to gain a sense of friendship, tough choices, forgiveness, growing up, and a little bit of magic.
I began "11 Birthdays" because I recognized the title and cover from shopping children's literature enough both as a kid and now as a teacher. I decided to read it on a whim. I got swept into the supposedly ordinary town of Willow Falls, expecting a typical coming-of-age story. Not only was it a great story on friendship, forgiveness, family, and tradition, but it was funny and clever and relevant to today's middle-grade readers. I would happily share this book with my students to do a novel study on and everyone could find something to connect to. Then, I discovered "11 Birthdays" was part of a series. So I read "Finally" and enjoyed it enough. I continued on with "13 Gifts" and LOVED the scavenger-hunt of mysterious items and gathering friends along the way. "The Last Present" wrapped up the entire series neatly and I felt closure.
When I saw that "Graceful" was the actual series ending (and that it had mixed reviews), I was ready for another trip to Willow Falls (mind you, I have done all of this time-travel, Angelina hubbub in a less than two-week period).
The layout and narrator is unique since it's told from mainly Grace A. Kelly's perspective, as the previous books have been formatted with the primary heroine sharing their point-of-view. But every few chapters the reader will get diary entries from Amanda, poetry from Leo, Tara's letters to her pen pal, texts from Rory, Connor's invention log entries, or emails by David. Additionally, some Teen Scene updates regarding Jake Harrison fills us in on our favorite teen actor, wanna-be director. It all is nicely laid out throughout the story to provide necessary POV of the respective characters, told true to their style of presentation, and not overwhelming to confuse the reader despite having several Willow Falls kids to keep up with.
Grace's reaction to her new situation is mature for a kid turning ten, but she does have the help, support, and opinions of the above-mentioned and additionally Ray to keep Team Grace grounded, helpful, and fun. The first 3/4 of the novel is entertaining, but the last act, the final few chapters really seal the deal on my book-hangover. The glimpses were everything I didn't know I needed about the friends. It was exactly as it should be.
I wasn't sure if I needed another Willow Falls installment after the first, fun four novels by Wendy Mass. After reading "Graceful", I'm not only positive The Willow Falls series needs it, but all middle-grade readers (and beyond) should be encouraged to read all five books to gain a sense of friendship, tough choices, forgiveness, growing up, and a little bit of magic.
October 28, 2015
Kaiti Holman
Goodreads Review
period 3
Graceful by Wendy Mass
1, The book Graceful by Wendy Mass is about a young girl named Grace who has powers given to her by Angelina D’Angelo and has to discover how to use them in order to protect the people of Willow Falls. when mysterious postcards from Angelina begin showing up in the mail team Grace go through a challenging journey trying to find out Grace’s destiny. The main characters in this story are Grace, Amanda, Leo, Rory, Tara, David, and Angelina. The minor characters in this story are Grace’s parents, Connor, and the family members of David.
2. The characters in the book “Graceful” seem believable and real because they are “real” people with emotions and actions. Their characteristics really pull you into the book.
3. The main character in the book Graceful is a young girl named Grace. In my mind she has strawberry hair, brown eyes., plain clothes, but an adventurous and fun personality.
4. In the beginning of the story Grace says,”Admit, if you suddenly had magical powers, you would have turned that leftover meatloaf into pizza too.” This quote was memorable because it foreshadows an important moment in the story and kind of tells you a little something about the main character. She has powers.
5. In the book graceful Grace is determined to find a forgetful “potion” to help her family and her friends family’s dreadful moments that have happened, forgotten. She successfully makes one and it works! This shows Grace is a determined, friendly, and companionable person because she is obviously a character who cares about her loved ones and friends and would do anything to help them.
6. I loved the book! First, it was created by one of my favorite authors and I have loved all of her books. Secondly, I loved this book because the emotion, the detail, the visuality was amazing. I really got connected in the book and felt apart of it and you don’t get a chance to feel like that unless it’s a good book. Which this was is, all of the Wendy Mass books are.
7. The theme of this novel is: Destiny is a funny thing, it doesn’t always behave the way you’d expect it to. I chose this theme because in the book Grace tries to find her destiny, thinking it’s going to be easy. Nothing is really ever easy in life, you have to work for it. And when you work hard, your hard work pays off. Which is another important lesson in life.
Goodreads Review
period 3
Graceful by Wendy Mass
1, The book Graceful by Wendy Mass is about a young girl named Grace who has powers given to her by Angelina D’Angelo and has to discover how to use them in order to protect the people of Willow Falls. when mysterious postcards from Angelina begin showing up in the mail team Grace go through a challenging journey trying to find out Grace’s destiny. The main characters in this story are Grace, Amanda, Leo, Rory, Tara, David, and Angelina. The minor characters in this story are Grace’s parents, Connor, and the family members of David.
2. The characters in the book “Graceful” seem believable and real because they are “real” people with emotions and actions. Their characteristics really pull you into the book.
3. The main character in the book Graceful is a young girl named Grace. In my mind she has strawberry hair, brown eyes., plain clothes, but an adventurous and fun personality.
4. In the beginning of the story Grace says,”Admit, if you suddenly had magical powers, you would have turned that leftover meatloaf into pizza too.” This quote was memorable because it foreshadows an important moment in the story and kind of tells you a little something about the main character. She has powers.
5. In the book graceful Grace is determined to find a forgetful “potion” to help her family and her friends family’s dreadful moments that have happened, forgotten. She successfully makes one and it works! This shows Grace is a determined, friendly, and companionable person because she is obviously a character who cares about her loved ones and friends and would do anything to help them.
6. I loved the book! First, it was created by one of my favorite authors and I have loved all of her books. Secondly, I loved this book because the emotion, the detail, the visuality was amazing. I really got connected in the book and felt apart of it and you don’t get a chance to feel like that unless it’s a good book. Which this was is, all of the Wendy Mass books are.
7. The theme of this novel is: Destiny is a funny thing, it doesn’t always behave the way you’d expect it to. I chose this theme because in the book Grace tries to find her destiny, thinking it’s going to be easy. Nothing is really ever easy in life, you have to work for it. And when you work hard, your hard work pays off. Which is another important lesson in life.
March 21, 2019
It was meh to me, but I liked the ending where everyone got a glimpse into their futures, but even that was a little cliche and obvious. But truthfully, this one isn’t my favorite. I would recommend that die hard “Celebrations series” fans should read this, but in my opinion, the book wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t great either.
August 28, 2015
I loved it. It was a great book!!!
July 29, 2023
READ 2 (October 25, 2021)-
I didn't realize I hated this book the first time I read it until I came back to it HAHAHAHA
Objectively do I think this book was necessary? No. I think the series would have been perfectly wrapped up at the end of The Last Present. Was this book fun? Also yes. I view this book more along the lines of fan fiction/where are they now than the /actual/ conclusion of the book. I'm not sure if I'm just not smart enough to understand it or what, but
I liked seeing Grace's life and but I do think that it was a little unrealistic for her to be used to it as quickly as she did. My favorite thing that she did was although I don't love the implication of . I still don't really understand why it was just
I would rate this book 3 stars except the last scene is SO deeply cute and made me tear up a little (and is something I definitely did not appreciate last time when I read it). Overall this book is really sweet and is a very happily-ever-after ending for everyone, which I'm sure readers appreciate.
I think this book was fun, although I don't know if it was fully necessary. I don't have the same amount of vitriol that I had the last time I read this but I do think that it isn't as cohesive with the rest of the series. It was still an enjoyable end to the series though!
READ 1 (January 11, 2016)- rated 1 star
TERRIBLE!!! Total crap. Ruined the whole series. Definitely definitely don't recommend.
Reasons-
a. Told from too many POVs (also discriminates against men...nothing against it, but the story isn't told from the boys' POV as much as I would have liked it.
b. Really, really confusing because of point A.
c. The series already ended...and then out pops this book. Disclaimer at the front of the book says it's written by readers' request...I'm thinking "clickbait" although I'm pretty sure that's not what it means.
*Spoiler alert*
YEARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH WHY DID THIS SERIES HAVE TO BE RUINED LIKE THIS?!?!?! IT WAS TOTALLY A BOMB SERIES BEFORE THIS BOOK. WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY NUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
I didn't realize I hated this book the first time I read it until I came back to it HAHAHAHA
Objectively do I think this book was necessary? No. I think the series would have been perfectly wrapped up at the end of The Last Present. Was this book fun? Also yes. I view this book more along the lines of fan fiction/where are they now than the /actual/ conclusion of the book. I'm not sure if I'm just not smart enough to understand it or what, but
I liked seeing Grace's life and but I do think that it was a little unrealistic for her to be used to it as quickly as she did. My favorite thing that she did was although I don't love the implication of . I still don't really understand why it was just
I would rate this book 3 stars except the last scene is SO deeply cute and made me tear up a little (and is something I definitely did not appreciate last time when I read it). Overall this book is really sweet and is a very happily-ever-after ending for everyone, which I'm sure readers appreciate.
I think this book was fun, although I don't know if it was fully necessary. I don't have the same amount of vitriol that I had the last time I read this but I do think that it isn't as cohesive with the rest of the series. It was still an enjoyable end to the series though!
READ 1 (January 11, 2016)- rated 1 star
TERRIBLE!!! Total crap. Ruined the whole series. Definitely definitely don't recommend.
Reasons-
a. Told from too many POVs (also discriminates against men...nothing against it, but the story isn't told from the boys' POV as much as I would have liked it.
b. Really, really confusing because of point A.
c. The series already ended...and then out pops this book. Disclaimer at the front of the book says it's written by readers' request...I'm thinking "clickbait" although I'm pretty sure that's not what it means.
*Spoiler alert*
YEARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH WHY DID THIS SERIES HAVE TO BE RUINED LIKE THIS?!?!?! IT WAS TOTALLY A BOMB SERIES BEFORE THIS BOOK. WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY NUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
May 19, 2025
★★★★ 4.5 stars (rounded down to 4) ★★★★
˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗ even when i was younger, this was my least favorite installment of the 'willow falls' series. i can't, for the life of me, tell you why, but it felt lackluster compared to the four preceding volumes. when i revisit this several years later, though, it's more endearing and gentler than i remembered. team grace's growing pains -- navigating relationships, family dynamics, school, and, of course, the whole magical realism fantasy vortex portal thingy -- felt so ridiculous to me at times that i couldn't help but cringe and laugh, oftentimes simultaneously (amanda going out with some random high schooler WHEN SHE WAS DATING LEO?? rory and jake getting stalked?? + other moments i can't remember right now). still, wendy mass' writing style is so charming, and the setting of willow falls transported me right back to being a giddy eight-year-old reading with a flashlight underneath my covers, trying to stifle my laughs so my mom wouldn't come upstairs and make me go to sleep. i can still see the apple grove in my mind's eye, i can see the girls holding hands around it, and i can see angelina and bucky dancing in my periphery.
rory and jake not being endgame broke my third grader heart, but i'd forgotten all about the 'TARA, WILL YOU MARRY ME' graduation cap in the future vortex visions. i can't deny the way my jaw dropped and how i needed a full moment to fully process it, and how much i proceeded to start laughing. it was such a lovely surprise -- one i haven't remembered in a minute, but was still utterly flabbergasted at discovering. amanda and leo in the future made me very nearly begin hysterically sobbing. "amanda ellerby fitzpatrick / leo fitzpatrick, i will always keep walking towards you" ❤︎ they are my roman empire, my childhood OTP, and the reason my standards are as they are. if my man doesn't write me poetry and plant me apple trees, he isn't worth it!
to me, team grace is real -- and hell, they must be all married with kids at this point, if we're going off the willow falls timeline. (amanda and leo were born in 1998, i assume, and everyone else is more or less around their age.) time is such a strange thing, but something so incredibly precious. i'm almost at the end of eighth grade, and these words on paper just reminded me to go out and hug all my friends, my parents, and make those memories and plans while i still can. nothing is ever a coincidence in willow falls -- and i'll keep this weird, wonderful place in my heart forever.
˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗ even when i was younger, this was my least favorite installment of the 'willow falls' series. i can't, for the life of me, tell you why, but it felt lackluster compared to the four preceding volumes. when i revisit this several years later, though, it's more endearing and gentler than i remembered. team grace's growing pains -- navigating relationships, family dynamics, school, and, of course, the whole magical realism fantasy vortex portal thingy -- felt so ridiculous to me at times that i couldn't help but cringe and laugh, oftentimes simultaneously (amanda going out with some random high schooler WHEN SHE WAS DATING LEO?? rory and jake getting stalked?? + other moments i can't remember right now). still, wendy mass' writing style is so charming, and the setting of willow falls transported me right back to being a giddy eight-year-old reading with a flashlight underneath my covers, trying to stifle my laughs so my mom wouldn't come upstairs and make me go to sleep. i can still see the apple grove in my mind's eye, i can see the girls holding hands around it, and i can see angelina and bucky dancing in my periphery.
rory and jake not being endgame broke my third grader heart, but i'd forgotten all about the 'TARA, WILL YOU MARRY ME' graduation cap in the future vortex visions. i can't deny the way my jaw dropped and how i needed a full moment to fully process it, and how much i proceeded to start laughing. it was such a lovely surprise -- one i haven't remembered in a minute, but was still utterly flabbergasted at discovering. amanda and leo in the future made me very nearly begin hysterically sobbing. "amanda ellerby fitzpatrick / leo fitzpatrick, i will always keep walking towards you" ❤︎ they are my roman empire, my childhood OTP, and the reason my standards are as they are. if my man doesn't write me poetry and plant me apple trees, he isn't worth it!
to me, team grace is real -- and hell, they must be all married with kids at this point, if we're going off the willow falls timeline. (amanda and leo were born in 1998, i assume, and everyone else is more or less around their age.) time is such a strange thing, but something so incredibly precious. i'm almost at the end of eighth grade, and these words on paper just reminded me to go out and hug all my friends, my parents, and make those memories and plans while i still can. nothing is ever a coincidence in willow falls -- and i'll keep this weird, wonderful place in my heart forever.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 5, 2015
Oh my goodness is the Willow Falls series really over? That's quite sad but I'm really glad we got this extra book because we needed to know what happens. It's so rare that authors actually just give us one more book to just to tie stuff up more neatly. It's pretty awesome, to tell you the truth.
When I heard about this, I was excited. Then I saw the reviews and was less excited. They said things like 'Amanda and Leo...aggravated with each other' and 'tension' and those are words I do not want to hear even one hundred feet away from my ship. Amanda and Leo do not get to be aggravated with each other, at least not on my watch.
Then I read it. It was an emotion experience, as last books often are. It contained some agonizing behavior from little miss Amanda. She was all 'not sure about Leo' like they 'didn't have a choice about being together'. It's bullshit. There really isn't any other way to put it. Amanda, you are so lucky to have someone in your life who cares about and loves you as much as Leo. Okay, so don't throw it all away to have coffee with some drummer music snob who's older than you. Please. Of course Amanda can't hear my valuable advice so she does in fact have coffee with the drummer music snob who's older than her. Why? I don't know. Reading Leo's poem after was really sad. Luckily, stuff worked out!
Although really, on a different note, I can't imagine I'd be super excited if this ten year old girl just totally changed my life. It would be hard to get used to. I guess if it means David lives, than it's good, but still. All that stuff about the vortex was confusing, and frankly I am annoyed by Grace. But the ending sort of changed it all.
I didn't really care about all the other people and how their lives would turn out, #sorrynotsorry I was just waiting with baited breath for Amanda's turn. And then it came. It could use some more amped up romance, but hey I know it's a kids' book. But there could have been a marriage proposal or at least some kissing! But whatever whatever I know I know...
So good series yeah! Loved it and would recommend it to everyone!
Also, shoutout to awesome person Jurni who did not spoil it for me!!!
Thanks for this wonderful series Wendy Mass!
When I heard about this, I was excited. Then I saw the reviews and was less excited. They said things like 'Amanda and Leo...aggravated with each other' and 'tension' and those are words I do not want to hear even one hundred feet away from my ship. Amanda and Leo do not get to be aggravated with each other, at least not on my watch.
Then I read it. It was an emotion experience, as last books often are. It contained some agonizing behavior from little miss Amanda. She was all 'not sure about Leo' like they 'didn't have a choice about being together'. It's bullshit. There really isn't any other way to put it. Amanda, you are so lucky to have someone in your life who cares about and loves you as much as Leo. Okay, so don't throw it all away to have coffee with some drummer music snob who's older than you. Please. Of course Amanda can't hear my valuable advice so she does in fact have coffee with the drummer music snob who's older than her. Why? I don't know. Reading Leo's poem after was really sad. Luckily, stuff worked out!
Although really, on a different note, I can't imagine I'd be super excited if this ten year old girl just totally changed my life. It would be hard to get used to. I guess if it means David lives, than it's good, but still. All that stuff about the vortex was confusing, and frankly I am annoyed by Grace. But the ending sort of changed it all.
I didn't really care about all the other people and how their lives would turn out, #sorrynotsorry I was just waiting with baited breath for Amanda's turn. And then it came. It could use some more amped up romance, but hey I know it's a kids' book. But there could have been a marriage proposal or at least some kissing! But whatever whatever I know I know...
So good series yeah! Loved it and would recommend it to everyone!
Also, shoutout to awesome person Jurni who did not spoil it for me!!!
Thanks for this wonderful series Wendy Mass!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 14, 2015
Star Rating:
4 stars
Plot:
"Angelina D'Angelo has left town to see the world. It's now Grace's turn to use her magic to protect the people of Willow Falls, and she is up to the challenge. This is her destiny, after all. But destiny is a funny thing-it doesn't always behave the way you'd expect it to.
Mysterious postcards from Angelina begin showing up in the mail, Grace's parents are freaking out with worry, and something BIG is coming to town that will affect everybody who lives there. But all Grace is powerful enough to do is turn leftover meatloaf into pizza.
Fortunately, she's not alone. She has Team Grace on her side! Amanda, Leo, Rory, Tara, David, and Connor know a thing or two about magic and how it works. But none of them are prepared for what's coming, and none of them know how to stop it. Life in Willow Falls is about to change forever."
-Goodreads description.
What I Liked:
The ending was the best. I was so glad I got to hear from all the girls one last time before the series ended.
And I really liked the format of the book because I was still able to hear from all the characters.
What I Didn't:
That the series is over :'( I didn't love the series when I started it, but it grew on me and I really like it now.
But the part with the vortex was kind of confusing, I didn't get the whole DNA thing, but that was probably just me.
Overall Opinion:
Aw :( it's all over. I didn't expect to like this one because the Last Present was supposed to be the last book (it even says in the title!), but I actually really liked it! The ending was very satisfying, I'm very happy with it.
Recommendation:
10-11 and up.
4 stars
Plot:
"Angelina D'Angelo has left town to see the world. It's now Grace's turn to use her magic to protect the people of Willow Falls, and she is up to the challenge. This is her destiny, after all. But destiny is a funny thing-it doesn't always behave the way you'd expect it to.
Mysterious postcards from Angelina begin showing up in the mail, Grace's parents are freaking out with worry, and something BIG is coming to town that will affect everybody who lives there. But all Grace is powerful enough to do is turn leftover meatloaf into pizza.
Fortunately, she's not alone. She has Team Grace on her side! Amanda, Leo, Rory, Tara, David, and Connor know a thing or two about magic and how it works. But none of them are prepared for what's coming, and none of them know how to stop it. Life in Willow Falls is about to change forever."
-Goodreads description.
What I Liked:
The ending was the best. I was so glad I got to hear from all the girls one last time before the series ended.
And I really liked the format of the book because I was still able to hear from all the characters.
What I Didn't:
That the series is over :'( I didn't love the series when I started it, but it grew on me and I really like it now.
But the part with the vortex was kind of confusing, I didn't get the whole DNA thing, but that was probably just me.
Overall Opinion:
Aw :( it's all over. I didn't expect to like this one because the Last Present was supposed to be the last book (it even says in the title!), but I actually really liked it! The ending was very satisfying, I'm very happy with it.
Recommendation:
10-11 and up.
October 26, 2017
Apparently this book series is not a light hearted fantasy series with magic, but a gradual introduction to witchcraft. This novel refers to countless fortune telling tools, animal spirit guides and a labyrinth. Continual references to "energy" around us and in us.
I enjoyed the first 3 books, but the 4th had me concerned. This 5th one seems like it's purpose was to preach New Age beliefs.
Switching the point of view continually between characters was tedious.
Why must every 13 year old be in a committed romantic relationship? And you're telling us that two out of three 13 year old girls will marry their current boyfriend? Only in Willow Falls, I guess...
I enjoyed the first 3 books, but the 4th had me concerned. This 5th one seems like it's purpose was to preach New Age beliefs.
Switching the point of view continually between characters was tedious.
Why must every 13 year old be in a committed romantic relationship? And you're telling us that two out of three 13 year old girls will marry their current boyfriend? Only in Willow Falls, I guess...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 21, 2017
I can't always keep up with series and when a series becomes popular with my students, I generally leave them to recommend the books to each other. I read the first two, maybe three in this popular series at my school. For some reason, I ordered Graceful as an audiobook and, being out of audios at the moment, took it home to read. It took awhile to pick up the threads, but the reading was pleasant enough. The narrator had a variety of youthful sounding voices but I still managed to mix them up. Fans who have read all the other books will want this.
December 6, 2023
If there is one word to describe Graceful it would be heart-wrenching. It was extremely beautifully written and emotional and this the secound time I read it. I love all the charactors and to have to part with them hurts. I am so very glad Last Present did not end up to be the last book.
I spent the last week rereading the willow falls series and I was busting-a-gut laughing. Again thank you so much Wendy Mass for not stoping the series at Last present. I highly recommend these books.
I spent the last week rereading the willow falls series and I was busting-a-gut laughing. Again thank you so much Wendy Mass for not stoping the series at Last present. I highly recommend these books.
October 5, 2018
I love this series! If you are close to my age I highly suggest that you read this series! If you like suspense, a little bit of magic, best of friendships,and a little bit of what kids call love read this!!!
December 6, 2021
I thou that Graceful is a wonderfully unique display of friendship, magic and time travel. Wendy Mass has established a one-of-a-kind series like no other kept me hooked the whole way through. I also got to know the characters so well, they felt like my friends. I was utterly disappointed when the story ended.
Read
June 2, 2023DNF at page 30. The Last Present ended just fine and I will NOT be finishing this book.
August 18, 2020
This book went so fast! 😭
I love this series so much! I'm glad she decided to add one more book to the series! I think I needed it😂
I love this series so much! I'm glad she decided to add one more book to the series! I think I needed it😂
January 9, 2024
4 stars
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the other willow falls books are SO much better (according to my shitty memory from 7 years ago)
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the other willow falls books are SO much better (according to my shitty memory from 7 years ago)
February 9, 2022
As always a magical story about a girl who was recently in coma and became the new keeper of Willow Falls, who senses something bad is coming and tries to do something about. With the help of her friends she can do anything! Literly!
August 14, 2022
I wish I didn't read this book!
It feels unnecessary.
I mean, the fourth book was literally called The LAST Present. Why isn't it the LAST book?
I'm disappointed.
It feels unnecessary.
I mean, the fourth book was literally called The LAST Present. Why isn't it the LAST book?
I'm disappointed.
October 30, 2017
This book in my opinion was the best of the series! There was something about it that just made it stand out like having team Grace, the vortex, and having all the characters in the same book it was great! This book would be perfect for people who have read the other books of the series, 11 Birthdays, Finally, 13 Gifts, and The Last Present. If you liked this book you would like The Mostly Miserable Life of April Sinclair series. In this book Grace needs to find the vortex and at the same time act like a normal girl. Will Grace find the vortex? Read this book to find out.
September 2, 2015
This is another very cool book in a great series written by Wendy Mass, the author. Young Grace has inherited special powers and uses them in the town of Willow Falls where the story takes place. The mysterious women from other books in the series, Angelina D'Angelo has finally left town to seek other adventures. Grace finds out that using her magic is her destiny but destiny is a strange thing - things don’t always turn out the way you think they will.
Grace's parents are really worried about her and something incredible is coming to town that will change everyone’s lives forever but all Grace seems powerful enough to do at first is turn leftover meatloaf into pizza.
Grace has some amazing friends that she confides in and leans on for their help during their adventures - Amanda, Leo, Rory, Tara, David, and her brother, Connor. They stick together and eventually use their magic in a very powerful way. Friendship is a very strong theme in this book.
I absolutely love all the books in this series by Wendy Mass. She wrote this new book because her fans did not want to say goodbye to the exciting and deep characters from the rest of the series. I highly recommend this series to 6-8 graders girls, you will just LOVE this new book. Do yourself a HUGE favor and read the whole series, you won't regret it!
Grace's parents are really worried about her and something incredible is coming to town that will change everyone’s lives forever but all Grace seems powerful enough to do at first is turn leftover meatloaf into pizza.
Grace has some amazing friends that she confides in and leans on for their help during their adventures - Amanda, Leo, Rory, Tara, David, and her brother, Connor. They stick together and eventually use their magic in a very powerful way. Friendship is a very strong theme in this book.
I absolutely love all the books in this series by Wendy Mass. She wrote this new book because her fans did not want to say goodbye to the exciting and deep characters from the rest of the series. I highly recommend this series to 6-8 graders girls, you will just LOVE this new book. Do yourself a HUGE favor and read the whole series, you won't regret it!
May 10, 2015
I was so excited to learn that The Last Present was not the final book in the Willow Falls series, though this one clearly is. You do have to have read the first four books for this one to make any sense, though luckily there us enough of a recap at the beginning to help the reader remember.
Grace is trying to make sense of her new magical powers now that Angeline is gone. She has her best friend Bailey at her side, as well as Team Grace (Amanda, Leo, Rory, Tara, David, and Connor). While they are all trying to help Grace settle into the role she was destined for, they each have their own difficulties to get through. Grace does her best to protect her friends and her town as she explores her new powers and learns what is expected of her. A fantastic conclusion to a fun, quirky, magical series. A must read for fans of the previous books. Recommended for grades 4-8.
Grace is trying to make sense of her new magical powers now that Angeline is gone. She has her best friend Bailey at her side, as well as Team Grace (Amanda, Leo, Rory, Tara, David, and Connor). While they are all trying to help Grace settle into the role she was destined for, they each have their own difficulties to get through. Grace does her best to protect her friends and her town as she explores her new powers and learns what is expected of her. A fantastic conclusion to a fun, quirky, magical series. A must read for fans of the previous books. Recommended for grades 4-8.
July 13, 2017
246 pages. The first chapter talks about a 5th grade girl who received a key to a shop full of magical things but she can't get the door to open. She laments whether or not she will receive "special powers." She talks about she and a friend having a crush on a 24 year old. However, a younger 14 year old guy shows up and they quickly forget the older guy. She thinks she has the power to turn things into pizza. Chapter two discusses the power turning over from one girl to another. It is the same character as in the 11 Birthdays book. This is a strange book and I can't really get into it. She contemplates if she's ready to be a "girlfriend" with Leo. She keeps referring to a "vortex of magic energy" and "protecting the whole town." Each chapter is written by different characters. Ugh! Weird and boring. Not recommended.
February 3, 2022
i will truly miss team grace, the book had a really great ending (this next part will spoil the ending. just a warning ;) ) I absalutly love how grace got older and the book shows team grace's futures! Wendy mass truly made it all fall together like a huge puzzle. Now, I know I know this is a very long review. you should seriously think about reading this series and if you do, start from the first book. (trust me it's worth it) PRAISE TO WILLOW FALLS!!!!!! I love it. @11birthdays,finally, 13 gifts, the last present, and graceful
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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