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Grace Happens
Having a famous mother hasn't always been easy for Grace and not knowing the real identity of her father is yet another issue her mother won't address until they go to Martha's Vineyard for a summer holiday where family secrets are finally revealed.
160 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2005
1 person is currently reading
61 people want to read
About the author
Jan M. Czech
8 books5 followersJan M. Czech lives in New York. GRACE HAPPENS is her first young adult novel.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 17, 2013
This book was by no means perfect. In fact, I really considered throwing it across the room when I first started, because it was soooo boring. I didn't like Grace, and I didn't like the plot. But then...I changed my mind.
Well, kind of. I still didn't like Grace. Every other chapter ends with her getting mad at her mom for not telling her enough about her father, even though her mother is just trying to protect Grace, and saying something along the lines of, "Why didn't you tell me, mother!?"
And some of the other characters just seem to be there to be there. Like Tanya Sutton, for example. She served almost no purpose in the plot whatsoever, other than it seemed like the author wanted a mean girl in the story. Yeah, characters weren't the strong suit of this novel. The one character I really did like doesn't come in until the end, and it would spoil the book to much, so I can't say too much about them, either.
What made me change my mind about this book, though, was the mystery aspect. I love a nice mystery, and while it was short, Grace trying to figure out the identity of her father, the clues, and the big reveal made this book worth while.
And the ending is sweet, too. It almost redeemed Grace in my eyes. Keyword being almost.
Grace Happens is not my favorite book of all time, but it was still pretty good. I liked it a lot, and in my opinion, it is definitely a keeper!
This review can be found on: http://myfullbookshelfreviews.blogspo...
Well, kind of. I still didn't like Grace. Every other chapter ends with her getting mad at her mom for not telling her enough about her father, even though her mother is just trying to protect Grace, and saying something along the lines of, "Why didn't you tell me, mother!?"
And some of the other characters just seem to be there to be there. Like Tanya Sutton, for example. She served almost no purpose in the plot whatsoever, other than it seemed like the author wanted a mean girl in the story. Yeah, characters weren't the strong suit of this novel. The one character I really did like doesn't come in until the end, and it would spoil the book to much, so I can't say too much about them, either.
What made me change my mind about this book, though, was the mystery aspect. I love a nice mystery, and while it was short, Grace trying to figure out the identity of her father, the clues, and the big reveal made this book worth while.
And the ending is sweet, too. It almost redeemed Grace in my eyes. Keyword being almost.
Grace Happens is not my favorite book of all time, but it was still pretty good. I liked it a lot, and in my opinion, it is definitely a keeper!
This review can be found on: http://myfullbookshelfreviews.blogspo...
January 24, 2017
1. She was the author of the book that I read which is grace happens . She was a former middle school teacher and the author of five books including this one .She also wrote articles for New York Times Magazine . She has a husband a daughter ,and two cats she vacations at Martha's Vineyards .
2. This book was published on April 5th 2005
3. She is at her high school,then she goes home to her big mansion and then it goes on to be the vacation spot .
4. The characters in the book were grace she was the rich family's daughter and she was on of those people that would never hurt anyone or anything that is how she is .Another character was her movie star mother she was like a real mean
5. The theme of this book mostly was persion, dedication,personality,and most of all being who she wanted to be and not give a care in the world .
6.Grace’s mother is a movie star. World travel, famous people, and movie sets are her life. So are bodyguards, paparazzi, and constant chaos. Grace dreams of a normal life with regular school and real friends. She also dreams of knowing her father, whose identity her mother has never revealed. When her secretive mother announces they’re going to Martha’s Vineyard for the summer, Grace doesn’t know the island holds the keys to her family history. But once the connection becomes clear, she can’t resist searching for some answers. Grace makes some surprising moves along the way, from making a friend and piercing her ears to developing a strong suspicion of who her father is.
7.Some of the literary devices in this book would be personification because she compares things a lot. There was also symbolism in this book she was comparing those types of things .
8.“God dispenses his goodness not with an eyedropper but a fire hydrant. Your heart is a Dixie cup, and his grace is the Mediterranean Sea. You simply can’t contain it all. So let it bubble over. Spill out. Pour forth. And enjoy the flood.”
Max said this particular quote
2. This book was published on April 5th 2005
3. She is at her high school,then she goes home to her big mansion and then it goes on to be the vacation spot .
4. The characters in the book were grace she was the rich family's daughter and she was on of those people that would never hurt anyone or anything that is how she is .Another character was her movie star mother she was like a real mean
5. The theme of this book mostly was persion, dedication,personality,and most of all being who she wanted to be and not give a care in the world .
6.Grace’s mother is a movie star. World travel, famous people, and movie sets are her life. So are bodyguards, paparazzi, and constant chaos. Grace dreams of a normal life with regular school and real friends. She also dreams of knowing her father, whose identity her mother has never revealed. When her secretive mother announces they’re going to Martha’s Vineyard for the summer, Grace doesn’t know the island holds the keys to her family history. But once the connection becomes clear, she can’t resist searching for some answers. Grace makes some surprising moves along the way, from making a friend and piercing her ears to developing a strong suspicion of who her father is.
7.Some of the literary devices in this book would be personification because she compares things a lot. There was also symbolism in this book she was comparing those types of things .
8.“God dispenses his goodness not with an eyedropper but a fire hydrant. Your heart is a Dixie cup, and his grace is the Mediterranean Sea. You simply can’t contain it all. So let it bubble over. Spill out. Pour forth. And enjoy the flood.”
Max said this particular quote
October 1, 2023
At first I wasn't to sure about the book, but as I read on i got more pulled into it. I finished the second half of the book within an hour. Couldn't put it down.
October 27, 2012
I’m doing a Story Plot for the book Grace happens by Jan Czech.
Exposition: Grace is in the studio with her mother .Her mother is a movie star and Grace n just wants to be a normal girl.
Rising action: Grace, her mother Constance Meredith, Camilla and Toffee went to vacation on Martha vineyard for the summer. Grace was in Constance old room and found many things that belonged to her mother .Grace starts to find out about how Constance kept things from Grace about her grandfather and her father. Grace wants to meet her father and get to know him more. Through the story grace starts to meet girls her age like her friend.
Climax: Grace starts to want to find her father and think that her uncle is her father and her world starts to come down
Falling action: Grace get to meet her father and they explain why she never got to meet him ,Constance father forbid Constance from seeing him again after prom and they went their separate ways after they both was blackmailed .
Conclusion : Grace and her friend get to go to one of her dads concert and experience what he does.
Exposition: Grace is in the studio with her mother .Her mother is a movie star and Grace n just wants to be a normal girl.
Rising action: Grace, her mother Constance Meredith, Camilla and Toffee went to vacation on Martha vineyard for the summer. Grace was in Constance old room and found many things that belonged to her mother .Grace starts to find out about how Constance kept things from Grace about her grandfather and her father. Grace wants to meet her father and get to know him more. Through the story grace starts to meet girls her age like her friend.
Climax: Grace starts to want to find her father and think that her uncle is her father and her world starts to come down
Falling action: Grace get to meet her father and they explain why she never got to meet him ,Constance father forbid Constance from seeing him again after prom and they went their separate ways after they both was blackmailed .
Conclusion : Grace and her friend get to go to one of her dads concert and experience what he does.
December 18, 2007
This is one of those books that sounded really good from the blurb, and turned out to be just OK. Bummer. Grace is the only child of the famous actress Constance Meredith. She's never gone to regular school, but has instead been tutored wherever her mom is currently working. The summer that Grace is 15, Constance has a break from filming so they go to Martha's Vineyard. It turns out that Grace's father (who she has never met) has a connection to the Vineyard as well, and Grace is determined to find out once and for all who he is and where he is.
The mystery of her missing dad isn't that exciting, and Grace seems pretty immature for 15.
The mystery of her missing dad isn't that exciting, and Grace seems pretty immature for 15.
August 23, 2008
Grace, a movie star's daughter, spends a couple months living in her mother's old home town and tries to figure out the identity of her father. Not a bad plot, but it felt incomplete (more like an outline than a novel.) The characters had promise but there were too many and weren't very well developed. Very disappointing. I wouldn't recommend it.
July 2, 2012
i liked a lot, grace is a very curios 15 year old teen who wants to know who her father, her mother doesn't tell much. Grace thinks any kid would want a famous movie star as their mother but not her, she want 2 have a normal life.then oneday grace's mother starts opening up, takes grace where she used to live(an island)
and much!!!!!:)
and much!!!!!:)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 6, 2018
Review by C.J. : "I didn't dislike anything. I like that it was a good mystery. [Recommended for] somebody that likes mysteries or books about family." (2015, 5 stars)
Review by B.V.: "I recommend this book to individuals that like a happy ending and kind of a surprise ending too." (2014, 5 stars)
Review by B.V.: "I recommend this book to individuals that like a happy ending and kind of a surprise ending too." (2014, 5 stars)
Read
July 25, 20112010- This read more like a short story. There was hardly any character development and I expected the plot was going to be more creative seeing as the setting was unique (Martha's Vineyard). Don't bother.
August 17, 2008
An awesome, heart-warming story about different kind of relationships, time, and especially, forgiveness and understanding.
December 21, 2009
this is a wonderful read for all people wanting a good story. the ending ties in nicely and it gets 5 stars from me :)
August 30, 2011
Liked this book but the end felt rushed.
July 21, 2012
Not bad for a short novel.
October 6, 2012
I finished this book in 2 days!
Read
April 19, 2013I thought it was awesome that grace was the daughter of a movie star. Also, i was glad that grace found out who her father was.
September 19, 2013
its a good to read for kids that dont know theyre culture or history
October 21, 2014
Packed with adventure! I love this book.
October 28, 2016
This book is a very good story about a girl, Grace, and her journey in a new city with her Hollywood mom. Beware this book has one swear word, but it shows feelings.
April 14, 2017
4/13/17 ~ I just recalled that I reread this, and didn't care for it as much that time. So I adjusted my rating to reflect this.
September 15, 2012
This book for me its amazing!! Its adventures and exciting I will recommend it to anyone!!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews