Grace is back to her zany antics again! Grace and Mimi have a secret: Mimi is going to be a big sister. To get ready, the girls try being "mother's helpers" to a family down the street, and Mimi begins to doubt her big sister abilities when 4-year-old Lily seems to like Grace best. But when Lily turns into a Terrible Tutu, Grace can't escape her! Can Grace use her empathy powers to shows Lily and Mimi the creative path towards a new friendship?
Another hit for the Just Grace series. Love hanging out with Grace and seeing her cute little drawings to describe her life. In this one she gets some practice dealing with a four-year-old and realizes caring for her little neighbor Lily is much harder than she anticipated. Love, love, love the shadow show she puts together and her relationship with her mother.
This book is named just grace and the terrible tutu.It is about a girl who is taking care of a crazy little girl.The problem is that Mimi Graces friend wants the little girl to like Mimi . Instead the little girl likes grace . I like this book because it is funny and amazing. In the end grace makes a show for Mimi and the little girl.Grace is doing the the show while Mimi and the little girl Watches the show.To make it fun grace gave them snack. After the show the little girl falls asleep on Mimi. The little girls parents didn't want to wake her up so the parents made a sleepover for the little girl .And the little girl liked both Mimi and grace
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I tried to tell Miss Lois that she’d made a mistake and that I wanted to be called just Grace, not Just Grace, but she put her hand up in the air and said, “That’s enough, girls. Let’s move on to the three Owens." And that’s how it happened that I have the stupidest name in the whole class! Or maybe even the whole entire world! ~Charise Mericle Harper, Just Grace
Just Grace and the Terrible Tutu is the 6th title in this series about eight-year-old Grace Stewart, whose "super power" of empathy guides her through various experiences with her school, friends, family, and neighborhood. I've read every book in the series up until now, and this newest addition was pretty typical of the series as a whole - that is to say, it was a quick, spirited read, with a lovable and lively narrator.
When Grace learns that her best friend Mimi's parents plan to adopt a new little girl into their family, she is very excited and eager to help prepare for the baby's arrival. When she has the opportunity to become a mother's helper, Grace invites Mimi to join her so that they can practice for when Mimi's sister comes. However, Lily, the four-year-old they are helping to care for, seems to like Grace more than she likes Mimi, and Mimi begins to doubt her capabilities as an older sister. To help her feel better, Grace must devise a plan to cheer up her friend, and to bring Mimi and Lily closer together.
The best thing about this series, in my opinion, is Grace's empowerment. She is an optimist through and through and never sits around waiting for things to get better. She makes her own destiny, and does what she can to improve the lives of those around her, especially those friends and relatives who don't share her same sense of determination.
In this book, specifically, I also noted some of the gender differences Grace perceives among her third grade classmates. For example, when she and Mimi walk to school holding hands, Grace comments, "It's too bad boys don't get to do that sort of thing, because it feels really nice (p.19)."
A few pages later, when the class begins to learn cursive, Grace observes, "All the girls in the class were excited - we could hardly wait to write in cursive. I don't think boys care so much about fancy writing. They never practice fancy letters like girls do (p.22)."
I remember these things being true when I was in third grade, and felt myself becoming more immersed in the culture of a third grade classroom. I also liked the way Grace's observations of the girls in her class highlighted one of the main questions explored in this book - does being a girl mean acting girly? Mimi worries that her new sister will like her only if she wears pink and spends time with The Giggle Girls, the girly group in Grace and Mimi's class. Grace, however, recognizes the truth - there are girls who like pink and who spend time pretending to be fairy princesses, or unicorns, and there are also girls, like herself and Mimi, who do not.
So many books about girls in late elementary school dive into the bullying issue and focus the popular kids versus the unpopular kids, but this one doesn't. This entire series focuses instead on unique problems that Grace is able to overcome using her own ingenuity. Even when the occasional help of a trusted adult is needed, Grace seeks that person's assistance, and leads everyone around her to her desired outcome. Grace doesn't worry about whether she's popular or not, and that is such a refreshing thing to see in a series like this.
Overall, I think reading this series really requires you to start at the beginning. It's been a while since I read the 5th book, and there were characters whose significance to the series I had forgotten. But fans of the series won't be disappointed by this latest book, and it's a series I really recommend to anyone looking for strong female characters who have a positive impact on the world around them.
What do you do when your absolute best friend in the entire world can't make friends with a four year old? Also, add to the equation that this four year old is "practice" for your best friend, who will soon be a big sister for the very first time! Not to mention, it just happens that the terrible little four year old, Lily, happens to think you're the best thing since sliced bread. All of this and the other spectacular woes of being an eight year old with an incredible super power is exactly what is happening in Grace's life during Just Grace and the Terrible Tutu.
Being that this is the sixth installment of the Just Grace series you'd think I'd be completely lost having started so late into it. Well, you'd be absolutely wrong. Although, you'd be right about something...I definitely want to go back and read the other five books in the series because I loved this one so much! Grace, not "Just" Grace, is hilarious. Charise Mericle Harper is incredible at writing about this age group, which in my opinion would seem rather difficult, but she's gets everything just right. From Grace's silly thought process to the way little girls, especially the oldest in the family, interact with everyone by feeling it's their obligation to make everything better. It's a riot to read as an adult and early chapter book readers will no doubt be able to relate to Grace's life.
Not only is Just Grace and the Terrible Tutu funny and enjoyable to read, it also tackles some difficult issues. More families than ever are adopting children and as an older sibling it's bound to be a tricky situation for parents to navigate without having feelings hurt on all sides. Grace's best friend Mimi will soon become a big sister by way of adoption and though she's extremely excited there are obvious apprehensions she has about the new unknown relationship. Through Grace and her "empathy powers" she's able to bring Mimi closer to Lily, giving her hope for her own future "big sister" responsibilities. Older children welcoming new siblings into their home will no doubt relate to Mimi, but they'll also find comfort in the outcome of the book.
Just Grace and the Terrible Tutu is a book that will have adults reliving their childhood with fondness and young readers devouring every bit of Grace's resemblance to many of their own experiences. A quick and often funny read, this is a story that also provides readers with a since of comfort and hope in the face of a sometimes difficult situation. Without a doubt I'd recommend the Just Grace series to young and old readers alike, and it would be especially beneficial if read together!
Originally reviewed & copyrighted on my site, There's A Book.
I was so glad when I found out that Net Galley offered this entertaining book for review. Although I just read the first two book of Just Grace Series, I still can keep up with all the rest of the story. Although there was one character whose story that I completely forgot, I did not get lost. I still enjoyed what Grace told in every chapter.
This is the sixth book. I thought I would see a grown up Grace. Unfortunately, I found there was nothing new from Grace. She still could not take "Just Grace" as her nick name at school. Great empathy power was something that she proud of. Her superhero breakfast, french toast, did not change at all. But it was not tedious to read all those stuff above. Grace and her words have hooked me since I read the first book. Besides Grace has many new things to tell.
Something interesting in this book is the appearance of Lily, a four years old - little girl with colorful tutu. For me, she was so cute. But for Grace, Lily was trouble. She even called her terrible tutu. Grace almost gave up. Moreover, when she found out that Lily could not make a friend with Mimi. Undeniable, dealing with a girl like Lily was exhausting. I could not stop giggling when I read about all time that they spent together. Lily was absolutely one of my favorite girls in this installment.
Another great character from this quick read book was Mimi, Grace's best friend. That sibling adoption things made her over-excited. Most of her idea, plan even fear about "big sister" were totally hilarious.
The illustration on this book was another thing that also does not change. It is still nice to see it.
I hope Atria, local publisher, will publish the next series. Since they have brought out the first and the second book.
Cover Although I am not a big fan of pink, I think the chapters were representative in the cover. Read this book so you will get what I mean.
Grace and her best friend Mimi are excited that Mimi's family will soon be adopting a little girl. While Mimi's family deals with the red tape involved, Grace and Mimi score a job as mother's helpers for a 4-year-old tutu-loving Lily and are thrilled to be getting some advance experience for dealing with litter girls. Unfortunately, thing get rocky when Lily wants nothing to do with Mimi and Mimi is afraid she'll be a failure as a big sister. Luckily, Grace comes up with a plan . . .
This is my first time reading a Just Grace book. The characters were fun and the style very cute. Girls 5 - 8 year old girls will enjoy this series.
Charise Harper is like my kids' author hero. Firstly, she gets to live is Westchester and write kids books all day. Secondly, she is pretty and dresses well. And thirdly, she has written the "Just Grace" books which are my favorite little girl transitioning into big gitl series of the moment.
In "Terrible Tutu," Grace's best friend, Mimi, is getting weird--like really weird. She becomes a self-professed lover of all things pink. She won't talk to any of the boys in her class and she has started giggling a lot with the Giggling girls. Not cool.
My daughters and I adore Grace and we were so glad that there's a new installment out.
Grace is so very true to herself and has a funny, sweet approach to life's problems. The diary format and the illustrations make the format easy and fun to read. The lesson within is one that I, as an adult, can be reminded of on occassion -- one of the value of friendship and family.
If you have a reader who loves Junie B. Jones, Clementine or Judy Moody, make sure you pick up the Just Grace books for them.
This pink package arrived on my desk last week, the latest in the Just Grace series. In this one, Grace's friend, Mimi, finds out that she'll soon be a big sister because her parents plan to adopt a child. To help Mimi get ready, she and Grace agree to be Mother's Helpers to little Lily...but when Lily likes Grace better than Mimi, trouble could be on the horizon. Grace's Empathy Power comes into play again. I like that this character has such a lovely trait, one I hope her readers might want to emulate.
A Terrible Tutu named Lili comes between Grace and her BFF Mimi. At first Grace thinks that new neighbor Lili will be perfect practice for her and Mimi because Mimi has a secret and the secret is that her parents plan to adopt a little sister for her. Mimi is carried away with planning a pink room for the new sibling and Grace begins to think she doesn't really know Mimi after all. Then Grace's perfect plans go awry when Lili LOVES Grace and pays no attention to Mimi. Just Grace's whimsical illustrations bring humor to a story of friendship.
I love the book so far. It's all about Grace's neighbor Mrs.Luther who goes on a vacation and Augustine Dupres' french friends live in Mrs.Luther's house until she gets back. Grace meets a little girl Lily and has to tak care of Lily. It's really exciting!
Eight-year old Grace is excited to learn that her best friend, Mimi, was going to become an older sister, but when both try to be "mother's helpers" for a family renting a house on their street, little Lily likes Grace best, causing Mimi to doubt herself and Grace to form a plan to fix things.
Great book for Isabelle's age girl-2nd grade. I will look into getting the rest of this series for Isabelle for her birthday. The main character is nice to those around her and is a great friend. She is thoughtful and funny and all the characteristics that I would want Belle to read about.
A very funny and girly story that will have you twirling with or without a tutu. My daughter really liked the small illustrations which added extra fun. We are now fans of Grace and look forward to reading another one of her adventures.
My daughter has enjoyed the Just Grace series overall. This book did not compare as favorably as the other books she has read. It was good, but she didn't like that it took several pages before the action began.
I liked this book a lot because Grace has to be a mother's helper with her best friend Mimi. She looks after a four year old named Lily. Lily wears a different colored tutu every day that they watch her.
A little bit longer and more challenging for the average new chapter book. Realistic characters, and friendships, good added illustrations kind of diary like. Great for 1-3rd grade.