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Amazing Grace
Gorgeous teen superstar Grace Kincaid has it all—an electric smile, million-dollar endorsement deals, and blond cover-girl looks. But what happens when America's "It" girl doesn't want "It" anymore? With the paparazzi stalking her every move, Grace quietly slips out of a Teen People photo shoot, ducks the press, and calls her mom from the boiler room of the fabled USTA National Tennis Center. And right there, in her custom-made Nike warm-ups, tears streaming down her face, Grace says the three magic words that her mom told her she could say anytime, anytime this whole crazy life wasn't fun anymore. Three simple words—and her new life begins. For the hottest girl on the planet, life's about to change. Grace gets a make-under, a new identity, and a new life in a rugged little town on the edge of nowhere, population 813 (including one cute boy: one very cute boy). Megan Shull's Amazing Grace will grab you from the first paragraph (go ahead, read it!) and keep you reading till its satisfying, transporting—shhhh—happy ending. A sparkling new voice in teen fiction.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published September 27, 2005
35 people are currently reading
1352 people want to read
About the author
Megan Shull
6 books242 followersA bighearted voice in kids’ fiction and film, MEGAN SHULL is the bestselling author of many stand-up-and-cheer stories for young readers and teens. Her books have been adapted for film, including Disney’s smash hit, The Swap. Most recently, Paramount won the rights to her novel Bounce. Born and raised in Ithaca, New York, Megan holds a doctoral degree from Cornell University, where her work focused on helping kids build resilience. She lives in her hometown, near a lake carved by glaciers and ringed by hills and a trillion waterfalls. Follow along @meganshull on Instagram, and visit: heymegan.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 231 reviews
January 17, 2009
I really couldn't stomach this book. Every night when I finished reading for the evening, I'd throw it on the floor. I know it's written for teens, but it's still SO totally unbelievable that I couldn't find the motivation to keep turning the pages (especially since I was turning a page every 20 seconds.)
It would have been better as a movie. It moved WAY too fast and everything ended up just WAY too perfect. Not just in the ending, but all throughout the whole book. I would have liked to get to know Grace a little better before she quit tennis so I could see how much she really changed.
The little mystery about Ava wasn't mentioned until the last two pages of the book... that was really annoying. I did enjoy the setting and the cabin in which Ava and Grace lived. I loved the thought of living in an eco-friendly cabin in Alaska the way it was described. Of course, I'd have an eco-friendly way to take hot showers...
I imagined Teague as cute in a 16-year-old's way of being cute, but there was never much description of him besides dimples and how CUTE he was. It was mentioned that he WAS Eskimo. Didn't tell me much!
I really would have enjoyed a LONGER book about the same story. More background on the characters, more believable BAD things happening. I think this story lacked a PROBLEM. Like a set-in-stone, main PROBLEM. I teach 2nd grade... EVERY story has to have a PROBLEM!!!
It would have been better as a movie. It moved WAY too fast and everything ended up just WAY too perfect. Not just in the ending, but all throughout the whole book. I would have liked to get to know Grace a little better before she quit tennis so I could see how much she really changed.
The little mystery about Ava wasn't mentioned until the last two pages of the book... that was really annoying. I did enjoy the setting and the cabin in which Ava and Grace lived. I loved the thought of living in an eco-friendly cabin in Alaska the way it was described. Of course, I'd have an eco-friendly way to take hot showers...
I imagined Teague as cute in a 16-year-old's way of being cute, but there was never much description of him besides dimples and how CUTE he was. It was mentioned that he WAS Eskimo. Didn't tell me much!
I really would have enjoyed a LONGER book about the same story. More background on the characters, more believable BAD things happening. I think this story lacked a PROBLEM. Like a set-in-stone, main PROBLEM. I teach 2nd grade... EVERY story has to have a PROBLEM!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 13, 2008
grace 'ace' kincaid burns out at 15. she's a tennis champion and spokesmodel with 30 M, but she's had enough. cue the makeover scene, and undercover grace ('emily o'brian') heads to alaska to live with a friend of her mother's in a tiny cabin with no indoor plumbing. mere hours into her visit, she has a run-in with a moose and meets a cute boy (teague). who is conveniently her age. conveniently, he likes her on the spot, and takes her to his kindly aunt, who bandages her moose injuries. cute boy conveniently has a cousin (fisher), who immediately and conveniently becomes emily's BFF. everything is immediately and conveniently perfect, so the plot kind of skips a couple of months, in which nothing happens between emily & teague despite their love at first sight. unrealistically, emily has no complaints about this.
but she does go to a party with fisher where she drinks four sex on the beaches, gets pawed at by an old perv, and throws up. she is immediately bundled off to therapy, and vows never to drink again. and goes on a date with teague. lalalalalala.
in short: boring, sunshiny plot, boring sunshiny characters. but i did like the alaska setting and the ending was pretty ok. still, i think this would be pretty appealing to some of my teens who enjoy light fiction, and i'll definitely recommend it.
but she does go to a party with fisher where she drinks four sex on the beaches, gets pawed at by an old perv, and throws up. she is immediately bundled off to therapy, and vows never to drink again. and goes on a date with teague. lalalalalala.
in short: boring, sunshiny plot, boring sunshiny characters. but i did like the alaska setting and the ending was pretty ok. still, i think this would be pretty appealing to some of my teens who enjoy light fiction, and i'll definitely recommend it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 20, 2020
Nothing went wrong for any of the characters in this entire book... but oddly enough I’m not mad about it.
March 25, 2015
This book was completely unbelievable and everything happened way too fast. There was no plot or character development. The story was interesting, but it never developed. There was so much potential to be good, but with no character or plot development it didn’t have a chance. The only thing I really liked was the setting. Alaska and the green living could have been used a lot better. Overall, I was not impressed with this book.
February 3, 2015
Ratings:1.5 (generous) stars
Amazing Grace is one of those books with an interesting cover I saw once at the library when my arms were already heavily laden with books, so it ended up on my to-read list for years because it was passed up by other, more appealing books. So I finally borrowed it and I'm reading along, when, 20 pages in, I realize: I've read this before. Now this can really mean one of two things: 1)it's so predictable and full of cliches that you can easily find a dozen or so books that are essential the same OR 2)I've actually read it before, but it failed to leave a lasting impression because it's so forgettable.
After breezing through 256 pages of a lot of white paper (seriously the line spacing and font size is kind of ridiculous), I logged onto Goodreads, tried to add Amazing Grace to my shelf...and realized, it was already there. Apparently I read it on December 28, 2011 and forgot to cross it off my to-read list. Opps. (I do have to say, I was probably more surprised by the fact that 2011 Veronica originally gave this 3 stars than anything else. As you can see, that has since been rectified.)
So, all this to say, Amazing Grace is, in my opinion, not worth a read. It's a story that's been written countless times before: Hollywood it-girl goes into hiding in the middle of nowhere, experiences real life, falls in love, yay normalcy. Granted, it's not totally like the other reverse transformation stories out there. Instead of being an actress or model or singer, GrAce is an athlete turned spokesperson. Instead of getting shipped off to a small town in the Midwest, she gets to go to a small town in Alaska. And there's no hiding behind mousy brown hair and glasses for her; instead, she gets cropped red hair and a ruby nose piercing to match. How original.
Obviously these types of stories require an extra dose of suspended disbelief to be enjoyable, but Amazing Grace is so ridiculous it requires suspended common sense. NOTHING IN THIS BOOK MAKES SENSE. For example, do you seriously expect me to believe a 15 year-old girl endorses so much her life consists of limos, the paparazzi, designer bags, bling'ed out pink cellphones, stalkers who jump out of bushes, magazine covers that cover her chest more than her face (pseudo-verbatim from the book), and enough makeup to open a mini-Sephora? All this while still managing to be an elite, no I'm sorry, the pro-athlete (she is ranked #1, after all) with a 107 mph serve and an impending match against Venus Williams in the US Open?
Then, when she does decide to give up everything and run for the hills, her mom orchestrates this elaborate hide-away scheme (in the matter of a few hours, mind you) and sends her off with a "let's not talk for the next 3 months because it'll be too hard" Excuse me? 1. That's possibly the dumbest excuse ever. At least try, we don't want the paparazzi to find you or something. 2. What kind of mother says that to her daughter? Like, it'll be too hard to not see each other (which, by the way, is what's been happening the whole time Grace has been Miss tennis superstar), so let's not talk to each other too?
Then, when she's in Alaska, she supposedly goes to school like a normal child, but mostly just spends her days chopping wood and bowling and making goo-goo eyes at the cutest boy ever.
Amazing Grace is one of those books with an interesting cover I saw once at the library when my arms were already heavily laden with books, so it ended up on my to-read list for years because it was passed up by other, more appealing books. So I finally borrowed it and I'm reading along, when, 20 pages in, I realize: I've read this before. Now this can really mean one of two things: 1)it's so predictable and full of cliches that you can easily find a dozen or so books that are essential the same OR 2)I've actually read it before, but it failed to leave a lasting impression because it's so forgettable.
After breezing through 256 pages of a lot of white paper (seriously the line spacing and font size is kind of ridiculous), I logged onto Goodreads, tried to add Amazing Grace to my shelf...and realized, it was already there. Apparently I read it on December 28, 2011 and forgot to cross it off my to-read list. Opps. (I do have to say, I was probably more surprised by the fact that 2011 Veronica originally gave this 3 stars than anything else. As you can see, that has since been rectified.)
So, all this to say, Amazing Grace is, in my opinion, not worth a read. It's a story that's been written countless times before: Hollywood it-girl goes into hiding in the middle of nowhere, experiences real life, falls in love, yay normalcy. Granted, it's not totally like the other reverse transformation stories out there. Instead of being an actress or model or singer, GrAce is an athlete turned spokesperson. Instead of getting shipped off to a small town in the Midwest, she gets to go to a small town in Alaska. And there's no hiding behind mousy brown hair and glasses for her; instead, she gets cropped red hair and a ruby nose piercing to match. How original.
Obviously these types of stories require an extra dose of suspended disbelief to be enjoyable, but Amazing Grace is so ridiculous it requires suspended common sense. NOTHING IN THIS BOOK MAKES SENSE. For example, do you seriously expect me to believe a 15 year-old girl endorses so much her life consists of limos, the paparazzi, designer bags, bling'ed out pink cellphones, stalkers who jump out of bushes, magazine covers that cover her chest more than her face (pseudo-verbatim from the book), and enough makeup to open a mini-Sephora? All this while still managing to be an elite, no I'm sorry, the pro-athlete (she is ranked #1, after all) with a 107 mph serve and an impending match against Venus Williams in the US Open?
Then, when she does decide to give up everything and run for the hills, her mom orchestrates this elaborate hide-away scheme (in the matter of a few hours, mind you) and sends her off with a "let's not talk for the next 3 months because it'll be too hard" Excuse me? 1. That's possibly the dumbest excuse ever. At least try, we don't want the paparazzi to find you or something. 2. What kind of mother says that to her daughter? Like, it'll be too hard to not see each other (which, by the way, is what's been happening the whole time Grace has been Miss tennis superstar), so let's not talk to each other too?
Then, when she's in Alaska, she supposedly goes to school like a normal child, but mostly just spends her days chopping wood and bowling and making goo-goo eyes at the cutest boy ever.
September 30, 2008
Teen chic lit--a fun, quick read. Light romance. A teenage tennis star wants out. She is sick of all the glitz, glamour, and pressure. She wants to have a real, normal life. So she flees to a small town in Alaska to hide from the paparazzi. There she discovers friendship, love, healing, and decides who she really wants to be. I think the author's writing style works very well for her subject matter. I also like the voice of the main character. Her life is incredibly charmed, but hey, it's fiction. It also makes me want to visit Alaska...in the summer!
December 6, 2017
Honestly, I could not get over how unrealistic this book is. Even for a YA book, everything about this is so unbelievable. A young girl who is used to a life of lavish then gets thrown into unfamiliar situations and she handles it with such "grace"? She describes every person in the book as ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL or Gorgeous, which is also again so unrealistic. It is a very quick read, but I would not read it again or honestly recommend it.
May 30, 2015
One of my favorite quick, short YA reads.
Grace "Ace" Kincaid is a fifteen year old teenage tennis phenom, until she decides right before the US Open that she's done. She is spirited away to the wilds of Alaska to hide, recover and find herself.
Is this book a masterpiece? No. Is this book awesome? Yes. It's quick, fun and touching.
Grace "Ace" Kincaid is a fifteen year old teenage tennis phenom, until she decides right before the US Open that she's done. She is spirited away to the wilds of Alaska to hide, recover and find herself.
Is this book a masterpiece? No. Is this book awesome? Yes. It's quick, fun and touching.
January 22, 2013
This book is good!!!! I actually liked it alot when... BAM!!!!! Bad scene!!! The author does a good job showing how the character internally changes though. I like the plot- not crazy about the language I was and still am disapointed with the inappropriateness the book showed.
June 6, 2007
Very cute, *very* light. I'd like to know more about the supporting characters, but the main character was fine.
August 14, 2013
This just not feel like a complete book. It could've used fifty more pages, as well as a lot more character development. It just didn't work for me.
January 21, 2016
I love it because I can relate to it with dad's pushing you to do something you love but then stop loving but they keep pushing you.
May 15, 2016
Why?
Did it seem. Like. The whole thing... was written...
Like this?!
Did it seem. Like. The whole thing... was written...
Like this?!
April 1, 2024
This book literally makes me want to move to Alaska.
June 11, 2012
It’s amazing what can be called a book these days. This "book" was nothing more than short, simple sentences I would expect from an elementary school kid trying to write a story; they can't even be called sentences.
Ex.
And the air.
God.
I can breathe. It's like--
Green.
Green air.
I open my eyes and stare straight up and—
Wow.
The stars.
I’ve never seen anything like it.
A gazillion of them, glittering over me—
This is a cabin.
A cabin-y cabin.
Think RUSTIC.
Think logs.
Think Little House on the Prairie.
It’s unlocked.
Is she going on sixteen or six? I can't tell.
And then we have these awkward moments where I’m seriously questioning the ability of the characters to speak and form normal, functional conversations. I’m wondering if they lose their train of thoughts easily due to some disorder, or if they’re just scatterbrained.
She smiles at me.
I smile at her.
She exhales.
I exhale.
It’s like Simon Says without Simon.
Finally, she speaks.
“So,” she says.
“So,” I repeat, still hoarse.
We both giggle.
“Well, let me welcome you properly to Medicine Hat!”
“Thanks.” I nod and smile shyly.
“Grace, I have a feeling—” Ava rises and returns to the stove. “I have a feeling that you—”
She stops, fills my plate with eggs, bacon, and fresh buttered bread.
“What I mean is—” Ava hands me a plate.
“Juice?” (And why would you put that on another line like someone else is speaking when Ava is still talking? I kept getting confused as to who was talking cuz she kept going to a new line when it should have stayed with the rest that person’s conversation. I think the author got a little crazy with the Enter key.)
“Sure, yes, thank you.” It looks so good.
“What I mean is, you’re going to love it here.”
I didn’t think an FBI agent would be so addlebrained.
And let me just say that reading about someone puking, salivating, drooling, bleeding through their pants and dirtying their panties up because they're on their period, snorting back snot, having snot hang out of their nose, and having to clean up vomit that’s consisting of chunks of dinner mixed with alcohol is disgusting to read about. She was puking every time I turned around, and bawling like a baby all the time, and I really don't wanna read about that crap.
Then she cuts her hair so short she's basically bald, which I absolutely cannot stand for a character to do, and she gets a nose ring, which I do not go for. The first time she goes to a real teenage party she gets plastered from drinking four alcoholic drinks her first time drinking, and I really don’t like reading about people that get drunk and act like total losers. Not my kind of people at all.
The character came off as being very flippant, self-centered and basically a baby, what with saying "whatever" to every thought she was having instead of pursuing it, and always wanting her mom.
Ex.
Maybe she can’t hear me.
“Um, Ava?” I try again.
But it’s like I’m not even there.
Whatever. I shrug. I’ve been up for twenty-four hours, and I have never been this exhausted in my life.
“The outhouse is back there.” She waves in the direction of the window. “There’s a flashlight on the kitchen counter.”
Outhouse”
Whatever.
I’m too tired to even go to the bathroom.
I’m wondering if the author read this through after she wrote it, or if she realized what was happening as she was typing it out. Who thinks like this? Whose thoughts run so stop and go like this?
It obviously didn’t take much skill to produce such work.
Everyone was grinning and smiling and giggling and staring like a bunch of mindless fools.
The main character, Grace Kincaid, the “Superstar” and “America’s IT girl, who goes on photo shoots and has her own fragrance line, sounds worldly and graceful from the author’s description, and yet I find myself not believing it. She thought she was being daring by putting her head out of the window in the rain, doing a war cry before she chopped wood and jumping on rocks in the creek with Teague. It was pathetic.
Teague calls the dog baby and sweetheart, which was kind of girly for a guy to say to a dog, and just plain wrong, since the dog was male.
I have to admit that the encounters with Teague were cute. The first time they met and the whole thing about the moose, and then the second time they hung out when he’s showing her his secret hideout and showing concern over her safety when he’s warning her not to go in the woods alone was sweet.
I just wish I would have gotten a better description of the characters. I really couldn’t visualize anyone clearly. The author didn’t put too much effort into making sure we could envision the characters.
We almost got to find out what Grace looks like, but she’s holding up a hunk of snow in front of her face….nice cover by the way.
Calling someone cute and gorgeous and saying they’re carved like a sculpture, and looking like a warrior really isn’t doing anything for me.
And then this really shows her skills as a writer:
Maybe it’s the sun, but his eyes—
They’re, like.
Liquid.
Liquid eyes.
I've actually decided
that I’m going to
write
a
book
and put
the sentences
like this.
And then
I’m going to charge
$15.99 to people
in the U.S
and $21.99 for
people in Canada.
I’m going to
rip them off
like Megan Shull did.
They’re going
to think
they’re getting a full
book—when in actuality
there’s going to be a lot
of blank space and
very short,
sentence fragments.
The joke will be on them,
because they’ll soon
realize the book was more suited
to middle school kids instead of
high school kids like the main character
is supposed to be.
Ex.
And the air.
God.
I can breathe. It's like--
Green.
Green air.
I open my eyes and stare straight up and—
Wow.
The stars.
I’ve never seen anything like it.
A gazillion of them, glittering over me—
This is a cabin.
A cabin-y cabin.
Think RUSTIC.
Think logs.
Think Little House on the Prairie.
It’s unlocked.
Is she going on sixteen or six? I can't tell.
And then we have these awkward moments where I’m seriously questioning the ability of the characters to speak and form normal, functional conversations. I’m wondering if they lose their train of thoughts easily due to some disorder, or if they’re just scatterbrained.
She smiles at me.
I smile at her.
She exhales.
I exhale.
It’s like Simon Says without Simon.
Finally, she speaks.
“So,” she says.
“So,” I repeat, still hoarse.
We both giggle.
“Well, let me welcome you properly to Medicine Hat!”
“Thanks.” I nod and smile shyly.
“Grace, I have a feeling—” Ava rises and returns to the stove. “I have a feeling that you—”
She stops, fills my plate with eggs, bacon, and fresh buttered bread.
“What I mean is—” Ava hands me a plate.
“Juice?” (And why would you put that on another line like someone else is speaking when Ava is still talking? I kept getting confused as to who was talking cuz she kept going to a new line when it should have stayed with the rest that person’s conversation. I think the author got a little crazy with the Enter key.)
“Sure, yes, thank you.” It looks so good.
“What I mean is, you’re going to love it here.”
I didn’t think an FBI agent would be so addlebrained.
And let me just say that reading about someone puking, salivating, drooling, bleeding through their pants and dirtying their panties up because they're on their period, snorting back snot, having snot hang out of their nose, and having to clean up vomit that’s consisting of chunks of dinner mixed with alcohol is disgusting to read about. She was puking every time I turned around, and bawling like a baby all the time, and I really don't wanna read about that crap.
Then she cuts her hair so short she's basically bald, which I absolutely cannot stand for a character to do, and she gets a nose ring, which I do not go for. The first time she goes to a real teenage party she gets plastered from drinking four alcoholic drinks her first time drinking, and I really don’t like reading about people that get drunk and act like total losers. Not my kind of people at all.
The character came off as being very flippant, self-centered and basically a baby, what with saying "whatever" to every thought she was having instead of pursuing it, and always wanting her mom.
Ex.
Maybe she can’t hear me.
“Um, Ava?” I try again.
But it’s like I’m not even there.
Whatever. I shrug. I’ve been up for twenty-four hours, and I have never been this exhausted in my life.
“The outhouse is back there.” She waves in the direction of the window. “There’s a flashlight on the kitchen counter.”
Outhouse”
Whatever.
I’m too tired to even go to the bathroom.
I’m wondering if the author read this through after she wrote it, or if she realized what was happening as she was typing it out. Who thinks like this? Whose thoughts run so stop and go like this?
It obviously didn’t take much skill to produce such work.
Everyone was grinning and smiling and giggling and staring like a bunch of mindless fools.
The main character, Grace Kincaid, the “Superstar” and “America’s IT girl, who goes on photo shoots and has her own fragrance line, sounds worldly and graceful from the author’s description, and yet I find myself not believing it. She thought she was being daring by putting her head out of the window in the rain, doing a war cry before she chopped wood and jumping on rocks in the creek with Teague. It was pathetic.
Teague calls the dog baby and sweetheart, which was kind of girly for a guy to say to a dog, and just plain wrong, since the dog was male.
I have to admit that the encounters with Teague were cute. The first time they met and the whole thing about the moose, and then the second time they hung out when he’s showing her his secret hideout and showing concern over her safety when he’s warning her not to go in the woods alone was sweet.
I just wish I would have gotten a better description of the characters. I really couldn’t visualize anyone clearly. The author didn’t put too much effort into making sure we could envision the characters.
We almost got to find out what Grace looks like, but she’s holding up a hunk of snow in front of her face….nice cover by the way.
Calling someone cute and gorgeous and saying they’re carved like a sculpture, and looking like a warrior really isn’t doing anything for me.
And then this really shows her skills as a writer:
Maybe it’s the sun, but his eyes—
They’re, like.
Liquid.
Liquid eyes.
I've actually decided
that I’m going to
write
a
book
and put
the sentences
like this.
And then
I’m going to charge
$15.99 to people
in the U.S
and $21.99 for
people in Canada.
I’m going to
rip them off
like Megan Shull did.
They’re going
to think
they’re getting a full
book—when in actuality
there’s going to be a lot
of blank space and
very short,
sentence fragments.
The joke will be on them,
because they’ll soon
realize the book was more suited
to middle school kids instead of
high school kids like the main character
is supposed to be.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 11, 2019
Amazing Grace by Meghan Skull is a book about a girl named Grace Kincaid who is a pro tennis player/model/endorsement celebrity. The books is about her wanting to get off the ride that her life has become. So her mom arranges her to go to Alaska, so she doesn’t have to deal with the media but also so Grace can figure out how she wants to live. She is also sent to Alaska to see who she is now.
I personally did not like the book because I wasn't into the tennis part. But I would recommend the book because of the great ending it had. I would also recommend the book to someone who in into someone changing their identity and tennis.
I personally did not like the book because I wasn't into the tennis part. But I would recommend the book because of the great ending it had. I would also recommend the book to someone who in into someone changing their identity and tennis.
May 17, 2019
Amazing Grace by Megan Shull is about a girl named Grace who is a professional tennis player by 14. When she is 15 she decided she hates the famous life and wants to be ordinary. She changes her identity and moves to Alaska with her aunt. She makes friends and learns how to live.
January 24, 2012
review tbc.
INTRO;;
With the Australian Open currently filling our local news and radio broadcasts, I decided to finally crack the spine of Amazing Grace. A fast-paced sport orientated novel for those of us who know what it's like to simply need a break from your life at times. Ultimately, I feel I should have paid more attention to the 99 cent sticker on the cover of this novel as it turned out to be a really good indicator of the quality-level.
SUMMARY;;
Grace Kincaid breaks worldwide records when she turns pro at fifteen. Now she willing to give up the multi-million dollar deals for a slice of normality in Medicine Hat, Alaska.
The media have a field day with the news of Ace's early retirement forcing her to take extreme measures with a an assumed name and makeover including cropped red hair and a facial piercing in the hopes of anonymity amongst the remote population of 800.
Within days of her arrival, Grace meets the happy-go-lucky Fisher and forms an instant friendship filled with bowling, parties and coffee sipping. She also earns the instant attraction of Teague, the perfect first boyfriend for a lonely island girl.
On her way to a cure, Grace finds herself relishing in the monotony of knitting, school and woodchopping but ultimately seeks the assistance of a psychologist to banish the bad habits that left her in a whirlwind on and off the court. She finally stands up for herself in front of her friends, family and fans making her first adult decision in her lifetime.
FINALE;;
The style in which this novel is written makes it perfect for those who love flicking pages at an extreme pace. Ultimately, I had this novel wrapped in just under two hours and I'm glad this was the case as I was not at all invested in these characters as they are neither likable or in need of major dislike.
The novel simply lacked in enjoyability and realism as the author seems to go through the motions of predictable actions for characters in this situation. There was definitely something missing form this novel, I just can't pinpoint the major issue but would like to have seen it fleshed out a whole lot more.
Overall, it wasn't the most terrible book I've ever read as I had no issue completing it, I just wish the issues in this novel were fleshed out a whole lot more. I can clearly see this moving being transformed into a Lifetime Channel TV Movie.
It bothered me to see some of the minor happenings in the novel to be loosely arced out. For example the FBI Agent who just so happens to be a hairdresser when one is required for the extreme makeover.
some of the things throughout the novel bothered me, how they were just brushed over so easily. like how the personal assistant just so happened to be a hairdresser when the transformation was taking place.
i liked that there were a couple mentions of living organically without electricity, it wasn't preachy at all. something i don't really see in novels and was interesting to read. for example the protag was forced to have cold showers every day.
I felt like the finale of Grace going back to her normal life was a little bit rushed. She leaves behind a best friend, boyfriend and a town full of admirers within a day or two of finding out she's leaving. I felt like this should've been fleshed out a little.
I really liked the fact that the author included a photo of herself that also appeared in the story. It gave it a bit more realism once I'd finished. Just the idea of this being close to a true story makes this a much more worthwhile story.
It is enjoyable but extremely predictable and full of too good to be true coincidences. Her personal assistant just so happens to be a hairdresser the minute a makeover is concided. She moves to a new island and not only meets a best friend but also a boyfriend within a day or two of arriving.
INTRO;;
With the Australian Open currently filling our local news and radio broadcasts, I decided to finally crack the spine of Amazing Grace. A fast-paced sport orientated novel for those of us who know what it's like to simply need a break from your life at times. Ultimately, I feel I should have paid more attention to the 99 cent sticker on the cover of this novel as it turned out to be a really good indicator of the quality-level.
SUMMARY;;
Grace Kincaid breaks worldwide records when she turns pro at fifteen. Now she willing to give up the multi-million dollar deals for a slice of normality in Medicine Hat, Alaska.
The media have a field day with the news of Ace's early retirement forcing her to take extreme measures with a an assumed name and makeover including cropped red hair and a facial piercing in the hopes of anonymity amongst the remote population of 800.
Within days of her arrival, Grace meets the happy-go-lucky Fisher and forms an instant friendship filled with bowling, parties and coffee sipping. She also earns the instant attraction of Teague, the perfect first boyfriend for a lonely island girl.
On her way to a cure, Grace finds herself relishing in the monotony of knitting, school and woodchopping but ultimately seeks the assistance of a psychologist to banish the bad habits that left her in a whirlwind on and off the court. She finally stands up for herself in front of her friends, family and fans making her first adult decision in her lifetime.
FINALE;;
The style in which this novel is written makes it perfect for those who love flicking pages at an extreme pace. Ultimately, I had this novel wrapped in just under two hours and I'm glad this was the case as I was not at all invested in these characters as they are neither likable or in need of major dislike.
The novel simply lacked in enjoyability and realism as the author seems to go through the motions of predictable actions for characters in this situation. There was definitely something missing form this novel, I just can't pinpoint the major issue but would like to have seen it fleshed out a whole lot more.
Overall, it wasn't the most terrible book I've ever read as I had no issue completing it, I just wish the issues in this novel were fleshed out a whole lot more. I can clearly see this moving being transformed into a Lifetime Channel TV Movie.
It bothered me to see some of the minor happenings in the novel to be loosely arced out. For example the FBI Agent who just so happens to be a hairdresser when one is required for the extreme makeover.
some of the things throughout the novel bothered me, how they were just brushed over so easily. like how the personal assistant just so happened to be a hairdresser when the transformation was taking place.
i liked that there were a couple mentions of living organically without electricity, it wasn't preachy at all. something i don't really see in novels and was interesting to read. for example the protag was forced to have cold showers every day.
I felt like the finale of Grace going back to her normal life was a little bit rushed. She leaves behind a best friend, boyfriend and a town full of admirers within a day or two of finding out she's leaving. I felt like this should've been fleshed out a little.
I really liked the fact that the author included a photo of herself that also appeared in the story. It gave it a bit more realism once I'd finished. Just the idea of this being close to a true story makes this a much more worthwhile story.
It is enjoyable but extremely predictable and full of too good to be true coincidences. Her personal assistant just so happens to be a hairdresser the minute a makeover is concided. She moves to a new island and not only meets a best friend but also a boyfriend within a day or two of arriving.
November 12, 2018
An empowering book about making choices and learning how to prioritize who you are and what you need. One of those stories that found me right when I needed it.
Need to reread to make a good recommendation, but based on recollection, would give to any high-school girl, especially those touched by mental health issues.
Need to reread to make a good recommendation, but based on recollection, would give to any high-school girl, especially those touched by mental health issues.
December 20, 2019
The author, Megan Shull, reveals some important insight about the main character, Grace Ace Kincaid, and her experience on becoming a normal teenager. In the novel, "Amazing grace," she is known as a pro tennis player and cover girl. But just with three words, she gave it all up to live as a normal teenager. "I want out," (Page 6 paragraph 1 Shull). She changes her identity, moves far away hidden, and takes up the name as Emily O’Brien. The author’s emphasis on her journey sheds some light on the theme of friendship to readers. Not only that, she shows how Grace is trying to find herself as a person. The adolescent stage in life is where we figure out who we really are and what we’re capable of. It may be hard and we may question our worth, but it’s all worth it in the end. Shull sets her work as short chapters and timelines. Instead of the chapters being numbered, she uses subheadings; each subheading shares a subject about what each chapter is about. This is significant because it’s pleasing how there are no numbers or chapters to count. Usually, it gives me stress or makes me worried because of how many chapters there are/can be. In my opinion, this novel is a really amusing book with such an interesting plot. It gives me a more understanding of how living a famous life can be very hard. The press conferences, tight schedules, cover magazines, a whole crew managing you, no self management, and more. Having lots of money and fame isn’t always fun as it seems. To me, it seems obvious that the main character, Grace, wanted to live as a normal girl with a normal life. I feel the author was hoping to show that Grace was trying to find herself. She struggles with the attention and fame she had. So it was a time for a change and a new chapter in life. Overtime, grace develops new friendships, identity, but also the habit of letting go. She let go of everything she had from her famous life. Plus, she let go of all of the anxiety and emotions that were built up inside of her. Grace is now free and has the liveliness to live as she wants. In conclusion, “Amazing Grace,” is a fantastic novel about a young girl finding herself.
Read
December 14, 2015This book, “Amazing Grace” by Megan Shull is about a teenage super-star, Grace or more well-known as “Ace”. From a “killer serve on the court” to the “it girl looks” and the million-dollar endorsement deals Ace has it all, but having it all isn't what she's looking for. A normal teenage life, away from all of the glitz, glamour and pressure. After making a hasty decision she decides to back out of the spotlight for awhile. “ i am free” (Shull 28).
Making a new identity, Grace Kincaid cuts her hair, dyes it red ,pierces her nose, changes her whole wardrobe and flees to a small town, Medicine Hat, Alaska. Population 813, living with her “aunt” a retired special agent, Ava Grady. Being away from the paparazzi is new for Grace, bringing her to new experiences and journeys. Grace finally gets the life she's always wanted, no more diets, no more make up, no more having her life in someone's else's hands. She gets to experience the world from a different point of view.
Discovering new friendships, opportunities, love and herself. Grace comes to find out what a “normal” life is. Making some poor decisions along the way, she realizes there's so much more to the world rather than the way you look on a magazine cover. She soon falls in love with the “local heartthrob,” Teague. They travel the ups and downs of growing up until Grace finds the self she has always wanted to be.
I really enjoyed the way the main character (Grace) spoke in this book. I didn't like how they did not go into as much details with the other characters. I thought this book was well laid out and explained.It had alot of exciting moments and alot of things that would catch your attention.The theme relates well to highscool students because the main character is also the same age a a typical Sophomore student, the book also talks about her highschool experience. I would rate this book a 9 because i enjoyed the storyline and how well it was explained.
Making a new identity, Grace Kincaid cuts her hair, dyes it red ,pierces her nose, changes her whole wardrobe and flees to a small town, Medicine Hat, Alaska. Population 813, living with her “aunt” a retired special agent, Ava Grady. Being away from the paparazzi is new for Grace, bringing her to new experiences and journeys. Grace finally gets the life she's always wanted, no more diets, no more make up, no more having her life in someone's else's hands. She gets to experience the world from a different point of view.
Discovering new friendships, opportunities, love and herself. Grace comes to find out what a “normal” life is. Making some poor decisions along the way, she realizes there's so much more to the world rather than the way you look on a magazine cover. She soon falls in love with the “local heartthrob,” Teague. They travel the ups and downs of growing up until Grace finds the self she has always wanted to be.
I really enjoyed the way the main character (Grace) spoke in this book. I didn't like how they did not go into as much details with the other characters. I thought this book was well laid out and explained.It had alot of exciting moments and alot of things that would catch your attention.The theme relates well to highscool students because the main character is also the same age a a typical Sophomore student, the book also talks about her highschool experience. I would rate this book a 9 because i enjoyed the storyline and how well it was explained.
March 10, 2015
This post is a requirement for Dr. Sykes' READ3307 course at UMHB. I first read this book about 6 years ago, and it is still one of my favorites. The story follows tennis teen superstar Grace 'Ace' Kincaid as she decides to give up her life in the spotlight and strive for something normal. She goes undercover and stays with her 'aunt', retired special agent Ava Grady, in Alaska where she falls in love with the local heartthrob. They travel the ups and downs of adolescence until Grace finds the self she truly wants to be.
This book is a quick read, and not because it's short but because of the enticing way in which it was written. The plot was relatable. The setting, while introducing most of its readers to a new place, was believable and realistic. And the characters were lively and nearly jumped off the page, showing up in every little vivid detail. I loved the way that Megan Shull described the different landscapes in Alaska- it is a place that I have never been, but based on her descriptions I would love to go and visit one day. The story takes unexpected turns and teaches valuable lessons about identity and self worth.
The suggested age-range for this book as given by Barnes and Noble is 11-14. I would push it back and say seventh grade and up. There is some content that I know my parents would not have wanted me reading as a sixth grader, but nothing is graphic or inappropriate, merely questionable. This book would be a great choice for a personal novel project for middle school, and maybe even high school!
Love Amazing Grace- I read it almost every year!
This book is a quick read, and not because it's short but because of the enticing way in which it was written. The plot was relatable. The setting, while introducing most of its readers to a new place, was believable and realistic. And the characters were lively and nearly jumped off the page, showing up in every little vivid detail. I loved the way that Megan Shull described the different landscapes in Alaska- it is a place that I have never been, but based on her descriptions I would love to go and visit one day. The story takes unexpected turns and teaches valuable lessons about identity and self worth.
The suggested age-range for this book as given by Barnes and Noble is 11-14. I would push it back and say seventh grade and up. There is some content that I know my parents would not have wanted me reading as a sixth grader, but nothing is graphic or inappropriate, merely questionable. This book would be a great choice for a personal novel project for middle school, and maybe even high school!
Love Amazing Grace- I read it almost every year!
April 5, 2018
I give this book five stars because I love it despite it's imperfections. The side characters such as Fisher and Ava are fabulous and I love the Alaskan cabin setting. There is a lot of potential here but it's not fleshed out. I would have enjoyed more back story about Grace's life as a tennis star. The ending was also rushed. This would have made a better series than a stand alone. However the most unconvincing part (spoilers possibly maybe) is her romance with Teague. He's so non existent that the story would be just fine without him. The entire book just gives off "Grace is gay for Fisher" vibes. She spends way more time with her and the scenes are much more emotionally driven. She tells her she loves her. She raves about her good looks. She panics when Fisher is down stairs. They lean their heads close together, sit smushed together and Grace shakes her butt for Fisher while bowling. Fisher also jumps into Graces' arms. In one section Grace literally writes "I don't have to look. I know it's her... I just freeze... my heart beating." I'm sorry but who reacts to a friend like that? In short, I love this book not for what it is but because of what it could be, if that makes any sense at all.
November 28, 2018
My opinion of this book was, it was really good and the book makes the readers really feel like they are involved in Teague and Grace’s relationship. For example, “‘You’re heading out.” Teague looks sad. I look sad. I am sad. Teague looks at Ava and back at me. ‘If it’s okay with Ava--’ He pauses and loops his fingers around mine. ‘I would love the pleasure of your company for one last night.’ We both turn toward Ava like two love-starved teenagers.” pg. 228. This makes the reader sad that Grace has to leave because they want Teague and Grace to be together because they were meant to be. The theme was also very powerful. I thought the theme was money doesn’t buy happiness. “Ava sighs and rolls over, and I run for the back door. Before I wake her with my laughing. Deep, belly laughing. Something I’ve noticed I’ve been doing a lot of these days.” pg, 113. This example shows that she is a lot happier in Medicine Hat than she was in Malibu. Obviously Medicine hat isn’t as luxurious as Malibu but Grace is happier there then she was in Malibu. However it could have been a little more dramatic and descriptive, but all in all, this was a really good read and I totally recommend it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2015
The story of Grace "Ace" Kincaid is an interesting one. I wish this book had given me more of it. I enjoyed the whirlwind of her retirement and the joy of first love. I would have loved another 150 pages. Megan Shull created a great chick-lit story, don't get me wrong. But, I'm afraid that's all it is. A good read for a car ride or the beach. Not just because of length, but the story/writing itself is very simple.
My favorite thing about this book was Shull's description of how Grace felt before her first therapy appointment. It was very relatable and exactly how I felt, too.
Grace's life didn't seem to hit any speed bumps, which bothered me. She retired in one night and found herself in stunning Alaska with great friends and a "gorgeous" boyfriend. Nothing very "bad" happens to her. Her life seems perfect and stays perfect through the entire book.
My favorite thing about this book was Shull's description of how Grace felt before her first therapy appointment. It was very relatable and exactly how I felt, too.
Grace's life didn't seem to hit any speed bumps, which bothered me. She retired in one night and found herself in stunning Alaska with great friends and a "gorgeous" boyfriend. Nothing very "bad" happens to her. Her life seems perfect and stays perfect through the entire book.
April 20, 2013
Well, I liked this book. And that's it.
I couldn't stop reading it, I liked the characters, I liked that it wasn't slow. The bad things were, there really wasn't a conflict. No real tragedy. Even though I read a lot of books and say to myself, this problem is too sad, you don't want to read this: I actually do. The conflict makes it interesting. Now, you can say that Grace was trying to hide from the paparazzi, but that was solved so easily, without a hitch. Oh yeah,(I'm not spoiling anything here) and she gets the guy. If he's so hot, and this is Middle-of-Nowhere, Alaska, then how is he not taken? There was almost something interesting at the beginning when Grace thought he was in a relationship, but that that was quickly solved by saying that it was just his cousin. Grace Kincaid just had it too easy.
I couldn't stop reading it, I liked the characters, I liked that it wasn't slow. The bad things were, there really wasn't a conflict. No real tragedy. Even though I read a lot of books and say to myself, this problem is too sad, you don't want to read this: I actually do. The conflict makes it interesting. Now, you can say that Grace was trying to hide from the paparazzi, but that was solved so easily, without a hitch. Oh yeah,(I'm not spoiling anything here) and she gets the guy. If he's so hot, and this is Middle-of-Nowhere, Alaska, then how is he not taken? There was almost something interesting at the beginning when Grace thought he was in a relationship, but that that was quickly solved by saying that it was just his cousin. Grace Kincaid just had it too easy.
June 10, 2019
This is probably one of my favorite books I have ever read. I love this book because it truly puts you in the boots of the main character, Grace, and it makes that aspect of the book perfect. I also love the relationships developed in this book. The way Grace and Fisher's friendship develops and grows is so well written and happy. Not to mention the romance in this book. I would recommend this book to any young adult that enjoys books that have some romance as well as a beautiful message. The book is about a famous tennis player that gets caught up in modelling and being perfect in every aspect of the word. Eventually she gets tired of it all and decides to quit. She moves to Alaska were she can finally be herself. While in Alaska she meets Fisher, who becomes her best friend. This book is about her adventures in finding herself, and it is so real and written beautifully.
August 30, 2019
I love this book because for me, it's a nostalgic read. I read this 10+ years ago when I saw it in a school book fair on a day when my dad was late to pick me up.
Yes, it doesn't really make sense and it isn't realistic, but I feel like it's okay for YA books should be sometimes! YA has such a large range in terms of audience, and I feel like this book definitely is geared towards the younger kids.
**THERE MAY BE SPOILERS FROM HERE ON**
I've wanted to re-read this book for such a long time because I was awed by the main character's ability to take charge and find herself (although she loses herself once or twice in the process). I really loved the first few chapters, but the rest of the book kind of becomes much more childish. However, those first few chapters really left an impression on me when I first read this book and became the reason I wanted to re-read it as an adult.
Yes, it doesn't really make sense and it isn't realistic, but I feel like it's okay for YA books should be sometimes! YA has such a large range in terms of audience, and I feel like this book definitely is geared towards the younger kids.
**THERE MAY BE SPOILERS FROM HERE ON**
I've wanted to re-read this book for such a long time because I was awed by the main character's ability to take charge and find herself (although she loses herself once or twice in the process). I really loved the first few chapters, but the rest of the book kind of becomes much more childish. However, those first few chapters really left an impression on me when I first read this book and became the reason I wanted to re-read it as an adult.
July 22, 2010
Ages 11+ (kiss romance, a drunken escapade with consequences, one "shit")
Fifteen year old tennis star Grace "Ace" Kincaid is giving UP! She's quitting the sport, giving up her multi-million dollar endorsement deals, and going into hiding (complete with name change to Emily O'Brien) in tiny little Medicine Hat, Alaska. The wilderness is actually super refreshing, although using an outhouse is NOT. Added bonus: she is rescued from a DANGEROUS MOOSE by sexy Eskimo Teague Denali. Booklong flirtation and PERSONAL GROWTH ensues. It's fairly shallow stuff, and aside from Teague's shiny black hair, it's not clear WHY Emily falls for him. All in all, it's a pleasant starter chick lit that goes well with the Secrets of My Hollywood Life series and its ilk.
Fifteen year old tennis star Grace "Ace" Kincaid is giving UP! She's quitting the sport, giving up her multi-million dollar endorsement deals, and going into hiding (complete with name change to Emily O'Brien) in tiny little Medicine Hat, Alaska. The wilderness is actually super refreshing, although using an outhouse is NOT. Added bonus: she is rescued from a DANGEROUS MOOSE by sexy Eskimo Teague Denali. Booklong flirtation and PERSONAL GROWTH ensues. It's fairly shallow stuff, and aside from Teague's shiny black hair, it's not clear WHY Emily falls for him. All in all, it's a pleasant starter chick lit that goes well with the Secrets of My Hollywood Life series and its ilk.
March 22, 2017
Don't get me wrong, i know many people who would love this short simple book
But i did not
and here is why
When i first went into this book, i was just expecting a easy cute love story. What i got was a unrealistic story line that has no bad people, only really good things happen with really no explanation, and just a really boring story. The main thing that bugged me was how they tried to add things to make it seem more "mature" like cuss words, drinking, etc. It didn't really fit at all. The story also jumped around a lot, just everything was rushed and relationships weren't really built and there was honestly no struggle for any of the characters. The ending didn't "wrap" anything up and also felt rush
But i did not
and here is why
When i first went into this book, i was just expecting a easy cute love story. What i got was a unrealistic story line that has no bad people, only really good things happen with really no explanation, and just a really boring story. The main thing that bugged me was how they tried to add things to make it seem more "mature" like cuss words, drinking, etc. It didn't really fit at all. The story also jumped around a lot, just everything was rushed and relationships weren't really built and there was honestly no struggle for any of the characters. The ending didn't "wrap" anything up and also felt rush
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