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God Is in the Pancakes
Fifteen-year-old Grace Manning is a candy striper in a nursing home, and Mr. Sands is the one patient who makes the job bearable. He keeps up with her sarcasm, teaches her to play poker . . . and one day cheerfully asks her to help him die. At first Grace says no way, but as Mr. Sands?s disease progresses, she?s not so sure. Grace tries to avoid the wrenching decision by praying for a miracle, stuffing herself with pancakes, and running away from all feelings, including the new ones she has for her best friend Eric. But Mr. Sands is getting worse, and she can?t avoid him forever. Robin Epstein has delivered an incredibly engaging, thought-provoking debut YA novel, with all the snappy dialogue and attitude of the movie Juno .
272 pages, Hardcover
First published May 13, 2010
About the author
Robin Epstein
31 books30 followersRobin Epstein is a writer, runner, professor and astronaut* (*in her own mind). Beginning her career as a comic and television writer. Her last young adult novel, God Is In the Pancakes, was an official selection of the 2012 New York State Reading Association (NYSRA) Charlotte Award Master List. She's written for the New York Times, Marie Claire, Glamour, as well as other publications. A contributor to This American Life on NPR, she also writes video games and books for TV shows on the Disney Channel. Robin attended Princeton University, got her MFA from Columbia University, and teaches at NYU. She currently lives in New York with her fetching pit bull Bandit.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
December 5, 2010
4.5 stars.
I am continually drawn to Young Adult fiction that feels like the truth> Books such as Kirsty Eagar's Raw Blue and Laura Buzo's GOOD OIL and Sara Zarr's ONCE WAS LOST all resound with me so strongly because their stories are subtle yet complicated, quiet yet resounding and GOD IS IN THE PANCAKES is of the same calibre.
God is in the Pancakes is a stand out read for me due to Grace, such a spunky protagonist who I couldn't help but ache for. Reading about her felt like reading about my own teen self (and many choices and mistakes she makes completely make sense to me ~ haha, tongue twister of a sentence, moving along...)
I ADORE books that have a strong dynamic with family relationships ~ and this one just felt achingly real.
Grace's relationship with her sister was brilliant ~ the complications and love and fights, the petty full-blown arguments and the small gestures that show their bond were just perfection (made me nostalgic for those good old days when my sister and I were still at home together).
Likewise, the mother-daughter relationship is captured so well (the mother is not just there perfunctorily, but is a string nuanced character of her own).
There's complications with Eric, Grace's best friend, where things are changing. And GOSH ~ it's not like it was a swooning* book so much as the kind of book that makes you feel like you have been punched in the gut because you can just feel the ache and awkwardness and attraction and complication of it all. It resonated strongly with me ~ the yearning and the fear and the confusion and the whole mess of it all. *Although Eric is definitely worthy of a swoon :D
One of the biggest parts of the book was Grace's relationship with the quirky and lovable Mr Sands, who asks Grace to help him die (!). And whoah ~ the whole euthanasia thing was head-spinny ~ done brilliantly, not preachy or easy or judgementally. It really got me thinking.
It is not Christian fiction (despite what the title may imply) but Grace wonders about faith and God and if there is anything in it or anyone out there who cares about her and the things she struggles with so much that she cannot bear to say aloud to anyone ~ and I found the exploration of this refreshing and honest
It was easy to forget that I was reading about characters in a story as I felt immersed in the lives of these people and really rooted for them. It is also worth mentioning that I found some of the plot-lines unpredictable and yet their resolutions rang true.
As for the prose ~ it's unsentimental and strong. It's succinct and will cause you to smile effortlessly (Robin Epstein is a former stand-up comedian and a sitcom writer). The humour in this book helps lift some of the intense subject matter.
Recommended: While on the surface, God is in the Pancakes may look like a quiet novel, the impact is anything but. I finished this novel with a rock the size of a fist in my gut and with tears glistening in my eyes. Ultimately, it's a triumphant and brave book ~ unique in plot ~ hopeful and funny and true.
I am continually drawn to Young Adult fiction that feels like the truth> Books such as Kirsty Eagar's Raw Blue and Laura Buzo's GOOD OIL and Sara Zarr's ONCE WAS LOST all resound with me so strongly because their stories are subtle yet complicated, quiet yet resounding and GOD IS IN THE PANCAKES is of the same calibre.
God is in the Pancakes is a stand out read for me due to Grace, such a spunky protagonist who I couldn't help but ache for. Reading about her felt like reading about my own teen self (and many choices and mistakes she makes completely make sense to me ~ haha, tongue twister of a sentence, moving along...)
I ADORE books that have a strong dynamic with family relationships ~ and this one just felt achingly real.
Grace's relationship with her sister was brilliant ~ the complications and love and fights, the petty full-blown arguments and the small gestures that show their bond were just perfection (made me nostalgic for those good old days when my sister and I were still at home together).
Likewise, the mother-daughter relationship is captured so well (the mother is not just there perfunctorily, but is a string nuanced character of her own).
There's complications with Eric, Grace's best friend, where things are changing. And GOSH ~ it's not like it was a swooning* book so much as the kind of book that makes you feel like you have been punched in the gut because you can just feel the ache and awkwardness and attraction and complication of it all. It resonated strongly with me ~ the yearning and the fear and the confusion and the whole mess of it all. *Although Eric is definitely worthy of a swoon :D
One of the biggest parts of the book was Grace's relationship with the quirky and lovable Mr Sands, who asks Grace to help him die (!). And whoah ~ the whole euthanasia thing was head-spinny ~ done brilliantly, not preachy or easy or judgementally. It really got me thinking.
It is not Christian fiction (despite what the title may imply) but Grace wonders about faith and God and if there is anything in it or anyone out there who cares about her and the things she struggles with so much that she cannot bear to say aloud to anyone ~ and I found the exploration of this refreshing and honest
It was easy to forget that I was reading about characters in a story as I felt immersed in the lives of these people and really rooted for them. It is also worth mentioning that I found some of the plot-lines unpredictable and yet their resolutions rang true.
As for the prose ~ it's unsentimental and strong. It's succinct and will cause you to smile effortlessly (Robin Epstein is a former stand-up comedian and a sitcom writer). The humour in this book helps lift some of the intense subject matter.
Recommended: While on the surface, God is in the Pancakes may look like a quiet novel, the impact is anything but. I finished this novel with a rock the size of a fist in my gut and with tears glistening in my eyes. Ultimately, it's a triumphant and brave book ~ unique in plot ~ hopeful and funny and true.
April 4, 2010
*** Re-read in June 2017 ***
*** Read and reviewed in November 2010***
*** Contains some smaller spoilers ***
What a brave and beautiful little book. Sarcastic Grace Manning is fifteen and has been living with her mom, who is manager in a branch of "You Say Potato" and her only slightly older sister Lolly in a women-only household since her religious father, who took his daughters out for church and pancakes each Sunday, left the family to move in with a Sunday School teacher. Grace and Lolly have a wonderfully realistic relationship: They cover for each other and they both feel the deep bond between them, but there are also walls between them: Popular Lolly believes that Grace is jealous of her boyfriend Jake and refuses to listen, when Grace subtly tries to warn her about Jake's infidelity. Most of her ups and downs Grace shares with her best friend Eric, who recently made the school's basketball team and started to hang out with the other team members and the female groupies his new fame brings with it. I have read several best-friends-turn-into-lovers stories, but I thought the execution in "God is in the Pancakes" sublimely well done: The sudden tingling, the awkwardness, the difficulties to talk about accidental touches, the insecurity in the shadow of other girls' advances. The bitter-sweet love story is not the center around which Grace's narration revolves, though. I am not sure even if one of the several strands can be picked out and labeled as the defining theme. But surely Grace's relationship with Mr. Sands, a spunky senior who lives in Hanover House, an old people's home, where Grace works as a candy striper in the afternoons, is the one that made me think the most. Mr. Sands has turned into Grace's confidant and father surrogate. He knows how to take Grace's humor and moods and teaches her poker but his health is deteriorating quickly: He suffers from Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) which shuts down the muscles he still can use. When he hands Grace an envelope and begs her to help him die, Grace digs out old habits: She bakes pancakes and she experiments with praying. The latter connects her with someone old enough to "have been God's babysitter" who loves to answer prayers: Mr. Sand's wife Isabelle ...
I am glad I didn't guess the outcome of Grace's dilemma, but I was very satisfied with the note on which Robin Epstein ends the story. The book deals with difficult questions: The existence of a higher being, euthanasia, hypocrisy, friendship and love, truth and hurt, getting old ... but offers no cheesy solution. Still, there was hope and warmth all over this book. And the part where my eyes misted was pretty unspectacular, but real. Lolly says: "I am not going to tell on you. I'm your sister."
Recommended.
*** Read and reviewed in November 2010***
*** Contains some smaller spoilers ***
What a brave and beautiful little book. Sarcastic Grace Manning is fifteen and has been living with her mom, who is manager in a branch of "You Say Potato" and her only slightly older sister Lolly in a women-only household since her religious father, who took his daughters out for church and pancakes each Sunday, left the family to move in with a Sunday School teacher. Grace and Lolly have a wonderfully realistic relationship: They cover for each other and they both feel the deep bond between them, but there are also walls between them: Popular Lolly believes that Grace is jealous of her boyfriend Jake and refuses to listen, when Grace subtly tries to warn her about Jake's infidelity. Most of her ups and downs Grace shares with her best friend Eric, who recently made the school's basketball team and started to hang out with the other team members and the female groupies his new fame brings with it. I have read several best-friends-turn-into-lovers stories, but I thought the execution in "God is in the Pancakes" sublimely well done: The sudden tingling, the awkwardness, the difficulties to talk about accidental touches, the insecurity in the shadow of other girls' advances. The bitter-sweet love story is not the center around which Grace's narration revolves, though. I am not sure even if one of the several strands can be picked out and labeled as the defining theme. But surely Grace's relationship with Mr. Sands, a spunky senior who lives in Hanover House, an old people's home, where Grace works as a candy striper in the afternoons, is the one that made me think the most. Mr. Sands has turned into Grace's confidant and father surrogate. He knows how to take Grace's humor and moods and teaches her poker but his health is deteriorating quickly: He suffers from Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) which shuts down the muscles he still can use. When he hands Grace an envelope and begs her to help him die, Grace digs out old habits: She bakes pancakes and she experiments with praying. The latter connects her with someone old enough to "have been God's babysitter" who loves to answer prayers: Mr. Sand's wife Isabelle ...
I am glad I didn't guess the outcome of Grace's dilemma, but I was very satisfied with the note on which Robin Epstein ends the story. The book deals with difficult questions: The existence of a higher being, euthanasia, hypocrisy, friendship and love, truth and hurt, getting old ... but offers no cheesy solution. Still, there was hope and warmth all over this book. And the part where my eyes misted was pretty unspectacular, but real. Lolly says: "I am not going to tell on you. I'm your sister."
Recommended.
March 1, 2011
Street Corner TBR Reduction Challenge
April #2 per Nic.
Well, it was heart-warming and bittersweet, but something about the writing style was just a little bit off for me. I think it was the pacing, it was too slow. It's one of those that feels like it's dragging.... don't get me wrong though the story was beautiful, serious and moving.
Grace is a high-school student working at a Nursing Home as a candy-striper. She falls in love (not goo-goo eyed, let me have your baby love) with one of the old men living there, Mr. Sands. He's quirky and off-beat. He is adorable. But, he has Lou Greig's disease. There is no cure and he asks Grace to step-in and do him a HUGE favor. We go through her struggle, she doesn't know if she should/could/is going to do it. Honestly it is sad. Watching someone you love and care about deteriorate is not a pleasant thing. She is confused.
Not only does she have Mr. Sands' problem to worry about, now things have gotten awkward between her and her best friend Eric. She likes him and wants to be with him, but doesn't want to lose their friendship. It's a little 'nails-on-chalkboard' to read the beginnnings of their romance and even the end as well. They might fit together eventually, but the writing is just, well... awkward.
After reading this I can't help but wonder if someone who was not a Christian would like it or not?!? I still am at a loss, I just don't know. It's not preachy or anything, but at the same time God is mentioned throughout as well as prayer.
3.5 stars
Quotes:
"You can't let what other people say about you affect the way you go about your business, You know why?"
"The reason, Mr. sands continues, "is because people get things wrong. All the time. The get things wrong over and over again, and once you've got that figured out, their judgements or what they say about you seems a lot less important."
"So you think someone hears us or is listening when we pray?"
"He smiles and I can see both the top and bottom rows of his teeth. I've had moments of doubt. Of course I have. I don't know how anyone can live in this world where, let's face it, injustice takes place all the time and not wonder if anyone is paying attention." He shrugs."But what I keep coming back to is the fact that life is so fragile, someone has to be looking out for us. At least in the most basic way. So for me, prayer is not just asking of a favor- like 'please God, let my mother be okay'-but more as a thank you. A thank you for every minutes I've had with her. I;m sure that kind of sounds corny, but it does help me appreciate the good things in my life. So when I say yeah, prayer works, it's because I think that if all I'm doing here is expressing gratitude for her life, that's okay. That's important."
April #2 per Nic.
Well, it was heart-warming and bittersweet, but something about the writing style was just a little bit off for me. I think it was the pacing, it was too slow. It's one of those that feels like it's dragging.... don't get me wrong though the story was beautiful, serious and moving.
Grace is a high-school student working at a Nursing Home as a candy-striper. She falls in love (not goo-goo eyed, let me have your baby love) with one of the old men living there, Mr. Sands. He's quirky and off-beat. He is adorable. But, he has Lou Greig's disease. There is no cure and he asks Grace to step-in and do him a HUGE favor. We go through her struggle, she doesn't know if she should/could/is going to do it. Honestly it is sad. Watching someone you love and care about deteriorate is not a pleasant thing. She is confused.
Not only does she have Mr. Sands' problem to worry about, now things have gotten awkward between her and her best friend Eric. She likes him and wants to be with him, but doesn't want to lose their friendship. It's a little 'nails-on-chalkboard' to read the beginnnings of their romance and even the end as well. They might fit together eventually, but the writing is just, well... awkward.
After reading this I can't help but wonder if someone who was not a Christian would like it or not?!? I still am at a loss, I just don't know. It's not preachy or anything, but at the same time God is mentioned throughout as well as prayer.
3.5 stars
Quotes:
"You can't let what other people say about you affect the way you go about your business, You know why?"
"The reason, Mr. sands continues, "is because people get things wrong. All the time. The get things wrong over and over again, and once you've got that figured out, their judgements or what they say about you seems a lot less important."
"So you think someone hears us or is listening when we pray?"
"He smiles and I can see both the top and bottom rows of his teeth. I've had moments of doubt. Of course I have. I don't know how anyone can live in this world where, let's face it, injustice takes place all the time and not wonder if anyone is paying attention." He shrugs."But what I keep coming back to is the fact that life is so fragile, someone has to be looking out for us. At least in the most basic way. So for me, prayer is not just asking of a favor- like 'please God, let my mother be okay'-but more as a thank you. A thank you for every minutes I've had with her. I;m sure that kind of sounds corny, but it does help me appreciate the good things in my life. So when I say yeah, prayer works, it's because I think that if all I'm doing here is expressing gratitude for her life, that's okay. That's important."
June 4, 2017
This book ended up being more intense than I was expecting. The quandary that Grace faces is one I can imagine being extremely gut-wrenching, with no easy answers. It brought home to me how important it is that in Canada physician-assisted dying is now legal (with strict criteria that must be met).
I really liked the main character Grace; she was a thoughtful, independent teen girl who strove to (usually) do the right thing – and yet she wasn't perfect. Her reflections on everything going on in her life felt very realistic and I could often relate to her mindset, even if I did not always agree with her choices.
Her relationship with Mr. Sands really stood out as unique in a YA novel; often we see peer friendships and romances being explored, but it's rare to see an inter-generational relationship. Having candystriped for a year in high school, this was a personal touch for me. There was one particular gentleman who was my favourite patient – just as Mr. Sands was for Grace – and who was such a lot of fun to spend time with. There is so much about a hospital setting that is depressing, but this story definitely highlighted that building a connection with a patient there can brighten it.
Sidenote, but: the speech-language pathologist in me was wondering why they didn't try some augmentative/alternative communication (AAC) methods with Mr. Sands as his ALS progressed to affecting his speech. There are technologies available nowadays that can operate voice output devices with eye movement only, for instance. Instead it seemed like he just wasn't given any means to communicate anymore!
I really liked the main character Grace; she was a thoughtful, independent teen girl who strove to (usually) do the right thing – and yet she wasn't perfect. Her reflections on everything going on in her life felt very realistic and I could often relate to her mindset, even if I did not always agree with her choices.
Her relationship with Mr. Sands really stood out as unique in a YA novel; often we see peer friendships and romances being explored, but it's rare to see an inter-generational relationship. Having candystriped for a year in high school, this was a personal touch for me. There was one particular gentleman who was my favourite patient – just as Mr. Sands was for Grace – and who was such a lot of fun to spend time with. There is so much about a hospital setting that is depressing, but this story definitely highlighted that building a connection with a patient there can brighten it.
Sidenote, but: the speech-language pathologist in me was wondering why they didn't try some augmentative/alternative communication (AAC) methods with Mr. Sands as his ALS progressed to affecting his speech. There are technologies available nowadays that can operate voice output devices with eye movement only, for instance. Instead it seemed like he just wasn't given any means to communicate anymore!
April 25, 2011
full review on my blog, holes In My brain
I’m so glad I found out about book blogs, because I think this is the biggest, most obvious reason why I love it. I discover books. Plain and simple, because this seems like one of those books I would never think to pick up, but after seeing a glowing review at Inkcrush, I borrowed it and ended up loving it!
Easily the most enjoyable aspect of God is in the Pancakes (man, what a title!) is the beautiful narration. It’s not beautiful in that poetic style, it is beautiful in its simplicity and conversational tone that made the reading experience feel like a dream. I never realized I was flipping pages because Grace’s voice flows incredibly well, not to mention she’s an extremely relatable character. I was surprised by how true that statement was; I empathized with her high school experiences, but more importantly, to her teenage feelings of self-doubt, identity, insecurity, and slightly (but not too much) rebellious attitude.
The plot was what I would think as “perfectly structured”. It’s not predictable by any means, but I felt that everything had its own place in the story—a good thing! There’s no WTF moments, or those “Why is that even relevant” scenes, everything played some sort of role, whether it was Grace’s family, love interest, or Frank Sands. The questions and moralities raised with Mr. Sands’ request for euthanasia had me thinking, but thank goodness, it never felt preachy.
Sometimes books are only as good as their secondary characters and may I say the supporting cast is excellent. My favourite parts of the book involved Grace and her family, they feel so alive. Her sister… gah, she is exactly how I would picture my sister: stubborn, self-righteous, annoying, but still at the end of the day, lovable. An amazing portrayal of family and effects divorce in my mind. I also highly enjoyed the fact that this is Grace's story, not some love story or some family story, and the author never lost sight of that.
God is in the Pancakes is a charming, witty, and still emotionally sincere read that definitely deserves more attention.
4/5 - because it's the type of book that reminds me why I read Young Adult. It doesn't have the oppressing dystopian government, but it does have the realistic portrayal of those nuanced teenage emotions that I could relate to all too well. It both witty and heartwarming, Grace's voice feels authentic, and the plot is commendable. I find writing this review a few days later, it's not the most memorable book; but I can still remember how I felt when I was reading it-- I was just happy to be immersed. If you got the chance, try this one :)
I’m so glad I found out about book blogs, because I think this is the biggest, most obvious reason why I love it. I discover books. Plain and simple, because this seems like one of those books I would never think to pick up, but after seeing a glowing review at Inkcrush, I borrowed it and ended up loving it!
Easily the most enjoyable aspect of God is in the Pancakes (man, what a title!) is the beautiful narration. It’s not beautiful in that poetic style, it is beautiful in its simplicity and conversational tone that made the reading experience feel like a dream. I never realized I was flipping pages because Grace’s voice flows incredibly well, not to mention she’s an extremely relatable character. I was surprised by how true that statement was; I empathized with her high school experiences, but more importantly, to her teenage feelings of self-doubt, identity, insecurity, and slightly (but not too much) rebellious attitude.
The plot was what I would think as “perfectly structured”. It’s not predictable by any means, but I felt that everything had its own place in the story—a good thing! There’s no WTF moments, or those “Why is that even relevant” scenes, everything played some sort of role, whether it was Grace’s family, love interest, or Frank Sands. The questions and moralities raised with Mr. Sands’ request for euthanasia had me thinking, but thank goodness, it never felt preachy.
Sometimes books are only as good as their secondary characters and may I say the supporting cast is excellent. My favourite parts of the book involved Grace and her family, they feel so alive. Her sister… gah, she is exactly how I would picture my sister: stubborn, self-righteous, annoying, but still at the end of the day, lovable. An amazing portrayal of family and effects divorce in my mind. I also highly enjoyed the fact that this is Grace's story, not some love story or some family story, and the author never lost sight of that.
God is in the Pancakes is a charming, witty, and still emotionally sincere read that definitely deserves more attention.
4/5 - because it's the type of book that reminds me why I read Young Adult. It doesn't have the oppressing dystopian government, but it does have the realistic portrayal of those nuanced teenage emotions that I could relate to all too well. It both witty and heartwarming, Grace's voice feels authentic, and the plot is commendable. I find writing this review a few days later, it's not the most memorable book; but I can still remember how I felt when I was reading it-- I was just happy to be immersed. If you got the chance, try this one :)
January 10, 2011
What would you do if a dear friend asked you for a little help...dying? For Grace, the 15 year old protagonist in this book, that is exactly the decision she must struggle with. Working part-time in a retirement home, Grace strikes up a strong friendship with Mr. Sands. But Mr. Sands is slowly dying from ALS, and he would like to speed the process along. Grace needs some serious advice but doesn't have much support on the home-front since her dad just left (This was a storyline that seemed undeveloped and unnecessary.), her older sis is having boy troubles, and her mom works too much. She would like to ask her oldest and best friend Eric what to do, but now that he's on the basketball team he is garnering attention from the jocks and some new girls, so Grace feels a little left out there too. Grace makes some surprising decisions in this story, and she faces a big struggle with faith. She prays for guidance but sometimes feels her prayers aren't answered. As a character, she grows considerably over the course of the story, and I always like that in a book. Overall, I liked this story and thought it dealt with some unusual issues for a teen novel. The thing keeping it from 4-star status is that I didn't think the writing was always strong. It wasn't a "can't put it down page-turner" for me.
April 28, 2010
God is in the Pancakes looks at an intergenerational friendship and a girl who's asked to do something that is both far beyond her years and the ultimate ethical dilemma: help an old man with Lou Gehrig's disease die peacefully. Epstein presents all her characters as fully realized people and most especially highlights the lessons Grace learns from Frank and his wife, as well as vice versa.
She also doesn't make Grace's decision an easy one, and while her choice surprised me, so did the conclusion of the book. There are moments of both humor and insight here; one of my favorites was when Grace sneaks Frank in his wheelchair out of the hospital to the movies. Epstein movingly examines why he might want to have a friendship all his own when his body is otherwise trapped.
Grace's heart is in the right place, and as she grapples with trying to find those around her she can trust, she learns some very adult lessons. Pancakes are comfort food here for those who are, in some ways, beyond comforting, but Epstein shows that even in our darkest hours, we can reach out to each other and find, and give, comfort. An excellent read for teens and adults alike.
She also doesn't make Grace's decision an easy one, and while her choice surprised me, so did the conclusion of the book. There are moments of both humor and insight here; one of my favorites was when Grace sneaks Frank in his wheelchair out of the hospital to the movies. Epstein movingly examines why he might want to have a friendship all his own when his body is otherwise trapped.
Grace's heart is in the right place, and as she grapples with trying to find those around her she can trust, she learns some very adult lessons. Pancakes are comfort food here for those who are, in some ways, beyond comforting, but Epstein shows that even in our darkest hours, we can reach out to each other and find, and give, comfort. An excellent read for teens and adults alike.
April 22, 2011
My school library had this on display and the cover caught my eye and the title caught my curiousity. Then when I read the blurb I was sold and the book gained a high spot on my to read list.
Some of the books I've been reading for the past week have let me down so I was beginning to doubt that I would be able to find a book anytime soon that was amazing for every reason. Epstein has creating a story that is straight general ficion with a dash of humor and a sprinkle of romance, that is both light and heavy at the same time, moving and real, and exactly what I've been needing. I read this in one sitting, unable to put the book down as I watched Grace's journey unfold.
Now, I don't want to ruin it by saying too much. Just know that this is a wonderful book that I recommend to everyone.
Some of the books I've been reading for the past week have let me down so I was beginning to doubt that I would be able to find a book anytime soon that was amazing for every reason. Epstein has creating a story that is straight general ficion with a dash of humor and a sprinkle of romance, that is both light and heavy at the same time, moving and real, and exactly what I've been needing. I read this in one sitting, unable to put the book down as I watched Grace's journey unfold.
Now, I don't want to ruin it by saying too much. Just know that this is a wonderful book that I recommend to everyone.
August 3, 2012
I’m still on a YA fiction kick and the latest read was Robin Epstein’s God is in the Pancakes. It was a fine book, though didn’t blow my mind the way some YA lit has recently. The protagonist, 15-year-old Grace, is a candy striper at a nursing home and faces some pretty typical YA lit situations. Her parents are recently divorced, her best friend might be her dream date, her older sister suddenly ignores her in favor of the bad-boy boyfriend, and Grace is struggling with whether she should pay more attention to her personal style, or lack thereof. Added to the mix, her favorite client at the nursing home has asked her to help him die. It is a fairly simple read with predictable plot points and turns. Grace is likable enough, but there just wasn’t anything to really grab me.
April 20, 2011
A gripping story about a teenage girl who finds herself facing some very difficult decisions. Grace Manning works at a local nursing home as a candy striper. Working in such a dismal environment is difficult but one particular patient makes this job not only only bearable but actually enjoyable. Mr. Sands has an amazing sense of humor which helps Grace deal with the divorce of her parents and the loss it has created in her life. This novel touches on many aspects and difficulties that many of the elderly face. Robin Epstein does an amazing job of sharing this heart wrenching story of a dieing man, divorce, and difficult decisions.
August 14, 2010
4.5/5
LOVE!!! I cried. More importantly, I laughed. A lot.
So I threw this book up to the top of my wishlist, thanks to Nomes' review, and it stayed there for the longest time. And then christmas 2011 rolled along and it made it on my wishlist so hooray I got to finally read this book! And what a piece of work it is.
Plot-wise there's nothing too complicated to it. You won't be banging your head trying to make heads or tails of the situation, you won't have to figure out the ins and outs of the society. This is contemporary, and it's contemporary at its finest because it begs you to just sit back and enjoy the ride.
It's been a while since I watched Juno, so I can't even comment on the comparison between this book and that movie. The laidback feel, everyday mo atmosphere, however, is very familiar. We're given a set of characters with problems and backstories and own personalities, and THAT'S where the book stands out, to me. The interactions between characters were so very realistic and familiar, the dialogue witty and charming.
Grace is still trying to get over the abandonment from her father, who left her and her mother and sister for another woman. Also things have been weird with her best friend Eric lately, and she's not quite sure what's going on between them anymore. School is sucky, her only sanctuary is the place where she works as a Candy Striper--Hanover House.
Her favourite resident at Hanover House (retirement home), by a long shot, is Mr Sands. They have such a blast together, and there's a great flow of energy between them so that their interactions and scenes are never boring. Mr Sands is victim to a terminal disease, ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease), that will effectively damage the motor neurons in his body--by the end of it he will have no control over any action in his body (even breathing!). But the real kicker is that he will still be able to think. So he asks Grace to help him with a favor--to help him die.
Moral issues and the whole right-and-wrong thing really come into play here, and I really enjoyed following Grace's thoughts as she struggled with the changes that were going on in her life, as well as Mr Sands's. She's also a Catholic, although her faith has suffered as result of her father's form of betrayal. But ever since the situation with Mr Sands popped up, she's returned to kneeling at the foot of the bed and praying. It's hard to keep faith when, no matter how much you ask, the signs just don't come and things don't get better.
There is also a super sweet romance with the tension and doubts that come attached. I would have liked more interaction or something with them at the end, but for younger teens there's more than enough there. I'm not even saying that in a ruddy way. It's just . . . I don't know. Maybe I wanted a cheesy overview or something. Ha! Okay, no. Maybe I like 'em with a bit more drama.
So to sum up: realistic characters, chill and laid-back pacing, writing that is witty and insightful, real issues the have meaning and impacted me so much that I was in tears towards the end of it all. This is one book I'll be remembering for a long time. If it were in tiny pocket-form (and not a big HB), I'd take this around wherever I go, kind of like how super religious people may carry their bibles (or alternate for other religions) with them. If I were the type of reader to highlight their books, this book would just smell like a hightlighter. Want to read a book that is sure to get a smile on your face?
QUOTES (I had a hard time finding some, since I pretty much abandoned post-its)
FIRST LINES
Here's what I've come to know about perfect happiness: It's as fragile as the bubbles that form on top of a pancake. I know a fair amount about the subject of pancakes because I used to eat them all the time--not just for breakfast. When my dad was in charge of meals, pancakes could and would be served for breakfast, lunch, snack and "special pancake dinner" too. Whether we stayed at home and made them ourselves, went out for brunch at the local flapjack shack, or dined at that more famous "international" house of pancakes, I can say with confidence that I was quite the student of the pancake-making business.
But back to the bubbles.
(some) FAVOURITES
"You can't let what other people say about you affect the way you go about your business. You know why?"
I shake my head, ...
"The reason ... is because people get things wrong. All the time. They get things wrong over and over again, and once you've gotten that figured out, their judgments or what they say about you seems a lot less important."
(p. 9, said by Mr Sands)
"It seems to me, we allow ourselves to lose perspective all the time, especially when it comes to things we expect or want to see. For instance, if you believe in something deeply enough, you'll often blind yourself to the reality of a situation so you can stay focused on what you hope will happen instead. In a sense, hope is the ultimate trompe l'oeil* because it blurs your perspective by mixing reality with desire.
(p. 28 *means "to deceive the eye", used in art to create optical illusions; Grace learnt it in art class)
"I don't think your mom would be too happy to learn you're greeting visitors by pelting them with fruit."
"Point, Manning." Eric grimaces. "Okay, you've won this round, but I'll get you next time, my pretty."
(p. 113)
"Grace, you know you have the potential to be really good-looking yourself." Lolly sits up as I react, blinking back the insult. "No, I didn't mean to be mean! You have a really pretty face, I just meant you should take care of yourself a little more. You're always eating crap. It's going to make you fat and ruin your skin."
"Maybe I like to eat crap?"
"So does everyone," Lolly responds, shaking her head. "But let's be honest: When dad left, you went looking for him at the bottom of a Doritos bag."
(p. 161 ~ and it goes on, but the whole scene is a bit long)
Extra, spoilery quotes for anyone who owns a copy
- p. 158-159
- the whole last 20 pages
LOVE!!! I cried. More importantly, I laughed. A lot.
So I threw this book up to the top of my wishlist, thanks to Nomes' review, and it stayed there for the longest time. And then christmas 2011 rolled along and it made it on my wishlist so hooray I got to finally read this book! And what a piece of work it is.
Plot-wise there's nothing too complicated to it. You won't be banging your head trying to make heads or tails of the situation, you won't have to figure out the ins and outs of the society. This is contemporary, and it's contemporary at its finest because it begs you to just sit back and enjoy the ride.
It's been a while since I watched Juno, so I can't even comment on the comparison between this book and that movie. The laidback feel, everyday mo atmosphere, however, is very familiar. We're given a set of characters with problems and backstories and own personalities, and THAT'S where the book stands out, to me. The interactions between characters were so very realistic and familiar, the dialogue witty and charming.
Grace is still trying to get over the abandonment from her father, who left her and her mother and sister for another woman. Also things have been weird with her best friend Eric lately, and she's not quite sure what's going on between them anymore. School is sucky, her only sanctuary is the place where she works as a Candy Striper--Hanover House.
Her favourite resident at Hanover House (retirement home), by a long shot, is Mr Sands. They have such a blast together, and there's a great flow of energy between them so that their interactions and scenes are never boring. Mr Sands is victim to a terminal disease, ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease), that will effectively damage the motor neurons in his body--by the end of it he will have no control over any action in his body (even breathing!). But the real kicker is that he will still be able to think. So he asks Grace to help him with a favor--to help him die.
Moral issues and the whole right-and-wrong thing really come into play here, and I really enjoyed following Grace's thoughts as she struggled with the changes that were going on in her life, as well as Mr Sands's. She's also a Catholic, although her faith has suffered as result of her father's form of betrayal. But ever since the situation with Mr Sands popped up, she's returned to kneeling at the foot of the bed and praying. It's hard to keep faith when, no matter how much you ask, the signs just don't come and things don't get better.
There is also a super sweet romance with the tension and doubts that come attached. I would have liked more interaction or something with them at the end, but for younger teens there's more than enough there. I'm not even saying that in a ruddy way. It's just . . . I don't know. Maybe I wanted a cheesy overview or something. Ha! Okay, no. Maybe I like 'em with a bit more drama.
So to sum up: realistic characters, chill and laid-back pacing, writing that is witty and insightful, real issues the have meaning and impacted me so much that I was in tears towards the end of it all. This is one book I'll be remembering for a long time. If it were in tiny pocket-form (and not a big HB), I'd take this around wherever I go, kind of like how super religious people may carry their bibles (or alternate for other religions) with them. If I were the type of reader to highlight their books, this book would just smell like a hightlighter. Want to read a book that is sure to get a smile on your face?
QUOTES (I had a hard time finding some, since I pretty much abandoned post-its)
FIRST LINES
Here's what I've come to know about perfect happiness: It's as fragile as the bubbles that form on top of a pancake. I know a fair amount about the subject of pancakes because I used to eat them all the time--not just for breakfast. When my dad was in charge of meals, pancakes could and would be served for breakfast, lunch, snack and "special pancake dinner" too. Whether we stayed at home and made them ourselves, went out for brunch at the local flapjack shack, or dined at that more famous "international" house of pancakes, I can say with confidence that I was quite the student of the pancake-making business.
But back to the bubbles.
(some) FAVOURITES
"You can't let what other people say about you affect the way you go about your business. You know why?"
I shake my head, ...
"The reason ... is because people get things wrong. All the time. They get things wrong over and over again, and once you've gotten that figured out, their judgments or what they say about you seems a lot less important."
(p. 9, said by Mr Sands)
"It seems to me, we allow ourselves to lose perspective all the time, especially when it comes to things we expect or want to see. For instance, if you believe in something deeply enough, you'll often blind yourself to the reality of a situation so you can stay focused on what you hope will happen instead. In a sense, hope is the ultimate trompe l'oeil* because it blurs your perspective by mixing reality with desire.
(p. 28 *means "to deceive the eye", used in art to create optical illusions; Grace learnt it in art class)
"I don't think your mom would be too happy to learn you're greeting visitors by pelting them with fruit."
"Point, Manning." Eric grimaces. "Okay, you've won this round, but I'll get you next time, my pretty."
(p. 113)
"Grace, you know you have the potential to be really good-looking yourself." Lolly sits up as I react, blinking back the insult. "No, I didn't mean to be mean! You have a really pretty face, I just meant you should take care of yourself a little more. You're always eating crap. It's going to make you fat and ruin your skin."
"Maybe I like to eat crap?"
"So does everyone," Lolly responds, shaking her head. "But let's be honest: When dad left, you went looking for him at the bottom of a Doritos bag."
(p. 161 ~ and it goes on, but the whole scene is a bit long)
Extra, spoilery quotes for anyone who owns a copy
- p. 158-159
- the whole last 20 pages
July 16, 2019
15-year-old Grace Manning is struggling to make sense of her life after her father has left and she realizes she might be having feelings for her best friend. Surprisingly, her job as a candy striper at a local nursing home has become the highlight of her day. Which is primarily due to her friendship with one of the ailing patients, but when he asks an impossible favour of her, Grace’s world is shaken even further.
Grace, the main character of God is in the Pancakes is a smart, funny, and insightful girl that you can’t help but fall a little bit in love with. The supporting characters in the novel are also well developed, and Grace’s relationships with her mother, sister, best friend and the Sands’ are compelling and sincere. As Grace struggles to determine what’s right and wrong in a very difficult situation, her growth as a person is clearly evident. It’s uplifting to see a teenage protagonist repeatedly choosing to take the more difficult path because she realizes it’s the right thing to do. This poignant and emotional tale will have readers laughing, crying and reflecting on some of life’s bigger questions right along with the heroine
Grace, the main character of God is in the Pancakes is a smart, funny, and insightful girl that you can’t help but fall a little bit in love with. The supporting characters in the novel are also well developed, and Grace’s relationships with her mother, sister, best friend and the Sands’ are compelling and sincere. As Grace struggles to determine what’s right and wrong in a very difficult situation, her growth as a person is clearly evident. It’s uplifting to see a teenage protagonist repeatedly choosing to take the more difficult path because she realizes it’s the right thing to do. This poignant and emotional tale will have readers laughing, crying and reflecting on some of life’s bigger questions right along with the heroine
June 4, 2010
Final Verdict First:
Pancakes takes one of the most intriguing premises of 2010’s YA debuts and mixes the serious and delicate subject matter with wit and humor; character introspection on par with E. Lockhart and John Green; and an extraordinary heroine that you will root for from the moment you meet her turning Mr. Sands’ hair into a faux hawk-inspired gelled updo. This remarkable story will suck you in and keep your eyes riveted to the page, trying to read as fast as you can to find out what Grace’s ultimate decision will be: to help, or not to help, a very dear friend die?
I recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of YA contemporary and doesn’t mind heavy subject matter. I’d also recommend this book to MG readers looking for a quality YA read.
The Full Review:
The premise, as you probably suspected, is what initially drew me to God Is In the Pancakes. From the first time I’d read the synopsis, I was curious as to how Robin was going to address Grace’s tough decision to assist or not assist Mr. Sands’ euthanasia request. Then, when I read the first chapter on the book’s website, I was drawn in by Grace’s voice and the friendship she’d built with Mr. Sands, which was plain to see just from that first chapter.
Grace is everything I want in a YA heroine: she’s witty, spunky, and smart, but she’s also flawed; she’s courageous and good-natured, even when she’s confused and scared; she’s confident, despite her vulnerabilities. Can you imagine being fifteen and being forced to make a life or death decision? Think of the ramifications, both for yourself and for everyone else involved. One one hand, you could help ease someone’s suffering. On the other hand, you love this person and will miss them like crazy — as will all the rest of that person’s loved ones that are left behind. Oh yeah, and then there’s THE LAW you have to worry about.
I was completely immersed in Grace’s complicated story and empathized with her like she was a close friend. And even though Mr. Sands is an adult and should know better than to ask so much of Grace, I couldn’t help but feel for him, too. I was already familiar with the term “Lou Gehrig’s disease,” but I didn’t know exactly what it did to the body before reading Pancakes. I felt my blood run cold when Jeff, the nursing home’s activities director, explains to Grace that the disease basically shuts down the brain’s ability to communicate with the muscles, thereby ceasing all control over basic functions (including the ability to breathe and swallow), while the mind remains intact, leaving the victim “locked in” their own body. *shiver* It’s no wonder that Mr. Sands is desperate to end his life.
As if that wasn’t enough for a sophomore high school student to deal with, Robin makes the point that the world keeps spinning, life goes on. Any new dilemma, no matter how difficult and life-altering, doesn’t negate what’s already problematic in one’s life. It just gets added to the rest of Problem Pile. So not only does Grace have to figure out what she’s going to do about Mr. Sands, but she also has to contend with the issues she had before Mr. Sands, such as her father’s recent abandonment of the family for a younger woman, her mother’s exhausting work schedule and new role as a single mom, her older sister’s relationship with a boy that cares less about her and more about “getting some,”and the romantic feelings Grace now has for her best friend, Eric. In each of those situations, Grace has even more tough decisions to make.
What Pancakes boils down to is choices. In life, we make countless decisions every day, and they are best made with the realization that nothing is black and white, that most decisions are neither “right” or “wrong.” Is it right to let someone suffer in pain, slowly deteriorating physically and losing their dignity? Is it right to help someone die, which basically means that you’ve assisted a suicide? Decisions aren’t always easy, and any decision comes with consequences. That’s a fact of life that cannot be escaped. You just have to make the best choice that you can and deal with the fallout as best as you can. And just as important — you have no control over, nor are you responsible for, the choices that others make.
If this all sounds a bit depressing, I guess in a way it is. Disease, dying, and suicide are not exactly fun topics, obviously. But like I mentioned earlier, there is a lot of humor to Grace’s story as well (Robin used to be a stand-up comedian), that effectively lightens the mood, and Robin’s use of certain ideas, such as the bubbles in pancakes, trompe l’oeil, and surprises, lends depth to the story and further illustrates what Grace is going through. Grace herself is very thoughtful, reflecting on the duality of certain words, such as pride and heroism — looking beyond the common definition to discover a more thorough meaning in order to shed light on the complexity of her situation and the decisions she must make.
Pancakes is both an easy read and a tough one. The plot itself will have you speed-reading to the very end to find out what happens, but there are times where you’ll linger on a page, soberly considering the decision each character makes, and what you think you’d do in their positions. This is a book that will have you laughing, crying, cringing, and applauding. It will remain in your mind — and your heart — long after the last page, and will no doubt have you analyzing your own feelings about assisted suicide and perhaps even discussing this topic with your family and friends. I am so impressed with Robin’s YA debut and I am dying to read whatever she publishes next!
You can read more of my reviews at www.rebloco.com
Pancakes takes one of the most intriguing premises of 2010’s YA debuts and mixes the serious and delicate subject matter with wit and humor; character introspection on par with E. Lockhart and John Green; and an extraordinary heroine that you will root for from the moment you meet her turning Mr. Sands’ hair into a faux hawk-inspired gelled updo. This remarkable story will suck you in and keep your eyes riveted to the page, trying to read as fast as you can to find out what Grace’s ultimate decision will be: to help, or not to help, a very dear friend die?
I recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of YA contemporary and doesn’t mind heavy subject matter. I’d also recommend this book to MG readers looking for a quality YA read.
The Full Review:
The premise, as you probably suspected, is what initially drew me to God Is In the Pancakes. From the first time I’d read the synopsis, I was curious as to how Robin was going to address Grace’s tough decision to assist or not assist Mr. Sands’ euthanasia request. Then, when I read the first chapter on the book’s website, I was drawn in by Grace’s voice and the friendship she’d built with Mr. Sands, which was plain to see just from that first chapter.
Grace is everything I want in a YA heroine: she’s witty, spunky, and smart, but she’s also flawed; she’s courageous and good-natured, even when she’s confused and scared; she’s confident, despite her vulnerabilities. Can you imagine being fifteen and being forced to make a life or death decision? Think of the ramifications, both for yourself and for everyone else involved. One one hand, you could help ease someone’s suffering. On the other hand, you love this person and will miss them like crazy — as will all the rest of that person’s loved ones that are left behind. Oh yeah, and then there’s THE LAW you have to worry about.
I was completely immersed in Grace’s complicated story and empathized with her like she was a close friend. And even though Mr. Sands is an adult and should know better than to ask so much of Grace, I couldn’t help but feel for him, too. I was already familiar with the term “Lou Gehrig’s disease,” but I didn’t know exactly what it did to the body before reading Pancakes. I felt my blood run cold when Jeff, the nursing home’s activities director, explains to Grace that the disease basically shuts down the brain’s ability to communicate with the muscles, thereby ceasing all control over basic functions (including the ability to breathe and swallow), while the mind remains intact, leaving the victim “locked in” their own body. *shiver* It’s no wonder that Mr. Sands is desperate to end his life.
As if that wasn’t enough for a sophomore high school student to deal with, Robin makes the point that the world keeps spinning, life goes on. Any new dilemma, no matter how difficult and life-altering, doesn’t negate what’s already problematic in one’s life. It just gets added to the rest of Problem Pile. So not only does Grace have to figure out what she’s going to do about Mr. Sands, but she also has to contend with the issues she had before Mr. Sands, such as her father’s recent abandonment of the family for a younger woman, her mother’s exhausting work schedule and new role as a single mom, her older sister’s relationship with a boy that cares less about her and more about “getting some,”and the romantic feelings Grace now has for her best friend, Eric. In each of those situations, Grace has even more tough decisions to make.
What Pancakes boils down to is choices. In life, we make countless decisions every day, and they are best made with the realization that nothing is black and white, that most decisions are neither “right” or “wrong.” Is it right to let someone suffer in pain, slowly deteriorating physically and losing their dignity? Is it right to help someone die, which basically means that you’ve assisted a suicide? Decisions aren’t always easy, and any decision comes with consequences. That’s a fact of life that cannot be escaped. You just have to make the best choice that you can and deal with the fallout as best as you can. And just as important — you have no control over, nor are you responsible for, the choices that others make.
If this all sounds a bit depressing, I guess in a way it is. Disease, dying, and suicide are not exactly fun topics, obviously. But like I mentioned earlier, there is a lot of humor to Grace’s story as well (Robin used to be a stand-up comedian), that effectively lightens the mood, and Robin’s use of certain ideas, such as the bubbles in pancakes, trompe l’oeil, and surprises, lends depth to the story and further illustrates what Grace is going through. Grace herself is very thoughtful, reflecting on the duality of certain words, such as pride and heroism — looking beyond the common definition to discover a more thorough meaning in order to shed light on the complexity of her situation and the decisions she must make.
Pancakes is both an easy read and a tough one. The plot itself will have you speed-reading to the very end to find out what happens, but there are times where you’ll linger on a page, soberly considering the decision each character makes, and what you think you’d do in their positions. This is a book that will have you laughing, crying, cringing, and applauding. It will remain in your mind — and your heart — long after the last page, and will no doubt have you analyzing your own feelings about assisted suicide and perhaps even discussing this topic with your family and friends. I am so impressed with Robin’s YA debut and I am dying to read whatever she publishes next!
You can read more of my reviews at www.rebloco.com
July 11, 2018
Despite the cover picture, which in my opinion, isn't in line with the main character, I liked this book a lot. The reference to pancakes is kind of hokey, but is at least party of the story. The characters are believable, show emotions and have believable problems, despite the outrageous request asked of our heroine. A solid 3.5
ALSO, is you are looking for another book about "assisted suicide" I recommend "The Universe vs. Alex Woods" . It's deeper and explores this topic very well within a fictional setting.
ALSO, is you are looking for another book about "assisted suicide" I recommend "The Universe vs. Alex Woods" . It's deeper and explores this topic very well within a fictional setting.
December 10, 2011
Grace Manning isn’t having the best year. In a wholly ironic twist of hypocrisy, her father did not practice what he preached and left the family for a woman he met at bible group. Six months have passed and Grace’s mother swings between blistering hatred for Grace’s deserting father, and constant complaining about her thankless job.
Grace’s older sister, Lolly, continues to date a boneheaded boy called Jake, even though all signs point to heartbreak. And Grace’s best friend, Eric, is rising in the popularity ranks at high school. Ever since Eric became one of two sophomores to join the basketball team, girls have been paying attention to him and Grace isn’t sure how she feels about his divided attention.
The one bright spot in Grace’s anti-social life is Mr. Sands. Mr. Sands, or ‘Frank’ as he insists she call him, was a Korean War vet now suffering from Lou Gehrig’s disease in the Hanover House home where Grace works as a candy striper. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s) is a motor neuron disease that will eventually leave him bed-ridden, trapped in his slack body but with a fully functioning mind.
Frank has become a father figure to Grace since her own father abandoned the family. Frank is funny and charming, with a quick-wit and no-nonsense attitude … and when he asks Grace to do a terrible, awful thing to ease his suffering, she can’t refuse him.
‘God is in the Pancakes’ was the 2010 YA contemporary novel from Robin Epstein.
This title has been beckoning me from the TBR pile for months now, but I resisted reading. The blurb hinted at heartache, and I was never in the right mind-set to jump head-first into a, no doubt, compelling but heavy novel. But, finally, it felt like the right time (to borrow a metaphor, this pancake was ready to be flipped). And, oh boy, is this novel sublime!
Told in first-person narration, this is the novel of a dying man’s incredible request to an already mixed-up girl. Grace Manning already has enough problems on her plate – between her sister’s cheating boyfriend, hormonal surges for her best friend and unanswered messages from her adulterous father – when her new/old friend, Mr Sands, asks her to take his life. What follows is a quick timeline that sees Frank Sands deteriorate before Grace’s eyes as Lou Gehrig’s disease turns his body against him.
With Frank’s request weighing heavy on her mind, Grace turns to God. She hasn’t had much to do with the big guy ‘upstairs’, since her mum is agnostic and it was always her dad taking the girls to Sunday mass followed by pancakes at the local IHOP (an American version of ‘Pancake Parlour’, for those of us down under). But since Grace’s dad didn’t really lead by example, Grace kind of figured the whole ‘good Christian’, praying and kneeling thing was over for her. Little does she know that when she most needs answers, God is the only one she’s willing to ask questions to …
Having an answer is a comfort. It's when you start asking questions and those questions pull threads in the larger fabric, you're forced to wonder what you're left with. And for people of any age, it's scary to think the fabric of the universe - or the universe as you've always believed it existed - can just unwind, you know?
The title of Epstein’s book is a wee bit misleading and suggests that the ever combustible topic of religion is a major focus. Yes, Grace does turn to God for answers … but she receives no definitive’s, and throughout the novel she is unsure and firmly on-the-fence about her belief in Him and His role in her life. She’s between a rock and a hard place with Frank’s request, so she turns to a childhood comfort – praying. Epstein is in no way shoving God down reader’s throats. Instead she’s using him as a crutch for a confused girl. And, actually, I kind of liked that Epstein wrote a little back-story for Grace’s dad’s affair, a nice little nuance that the woman he was cheating with is someone he met at bible study. It reminds me a little of that bumper-sticker joke: ‘I've got nothing against God, it's his fan club I can't stand.’
If I had any complaints about the book, it's that the relationship between Grace and her father was left a little too open-ended. It seemed like Epstein was deliberately dropping hints about Grace's dad trying to reconnect (and perhaps repent?) but this part of the narrative just sort of fizzed towards the end, and I would have liked a little more conflict and confrontation.
I also liked that the real conflict of the novel, Frank asking Grace to help him die, was watered down somewhat by Grace’s many problems. This could have been a very heavy, depressing novel if not for side-stories about Grace’s sister, Lolly, and her best friend, Eric. All of which add up to a sort of ‘softening the blow’ when based around Frank’s request. It’s also a means by which Grace can put her life into perspective – seeing that the truth is never easy, and that some things are worth fighting for … two lessons she comes to learn through her interactions and conundrums with Frank and his death wish.
I knew I’d love ‘God is in the Pancakes’, but I didn’t know how much. I laughed, I cried, I want to read absolutely every other bit of YA that Epstein comes up with. A beautiful novel, not for the faint-hearted, and definitely one to be read in the right mind-set, about a young girl coming to grips with God, life and perfect pancakes.
Grace’s older sister, Lolly, continues to date a boneheaded boy called Jake, even though all signs point to heartbreak. And Grace’s best friend, Eric, is rising in the popularity ranks at high school. Ever since Eric became one of two sophomores to join the basketball team, girls have been paying attention to him and Grace isn’t sure how she feels about his divided attention.
The one bright spot in Grace’s anti-social life is Mr. Sands. Mr. Sands, or ‘Frank’ as he insists she call him, was a Korean War vet now suffering from Lou Gehrig’s disease in the Hanover House home where Grace works as a candy striper. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s) is a motor neuron disease that will eventually leave him bed-ridden, trapped in his slack body but with a fully functioning mind.
Frank has become a father figure to Grace since her own father abandoned the family. Frank is funny and charming, with a quick-wit and no-nonsense attitude … and when he asks Grace to do a terrible, awful thing to ease his suffering, she can’t refuse him.
‘God is in the Pancakes’ was the 2010 YA contemporary novel from Robin Epstein.
This title has been beckoning me from the TBR pile for months now, but I resisted reading. The blurb hinted at heartache, and I was never in the right mind-set to jump head-first into a, no doubt, compelling but heavy novel. But, finally, it felt like the right time (to borrow a metaphor, this pancake was ready to be flipped). And, oh boy, is this novel sublime!
Told in first-person narration, this is the novel of a dying man’s incredible request to an already mixed-up girl. Grace Manning already has enough problems on her plate – between her sister’s cheating boyfriend, hormonal surges for her best friend and unanswered messages from her adulterous father – when her new/old friend, Mr Sands, asks her to take his life. What follows is a quick timeline that sees Frank Sands deteriorate before Grace’s eyes as Lou Gehrig’s disease turns his body against him.
With Frank’s request weighing heavy on her mind, Grace turns to God. She hasn’t had much to do with the big guy ‘upstairs’, since her mum is agnostic and it was always her dad taking the girls to Sunday mass followed by pancakes at the local IHOP (an American version of ‘Pancake Parlour’, for those of us down under). But since Grace’s dad didn’t really lead by example, Grace kind of figured the whole ‘good Christian’, praying and kneeling thing was over for her. Little does she know that when she most needs answers, God is the only one she’s willing to ask questions to …
Having an answer is a comfort. It's when you start asking questions and those questions pull threads in the larger fabric, you're forced to wonder what you're left with. And for people of any age, it's scary to think the fabric of the universe - or the universe as you've always believed it existed - can just unwind, you know?
The title of Epstein’s book is a wee bit misleading and suggests that the ever combustible topic of religion is a major focus. Yes, Grace does turn to God for answers … but she receives no definitive’s, and throughout the novel she is unsure and firmly on-the-fence about her belief in Him and His role in her life. She’s between a rock and a hard place with Frank’s request, so she turns to a childhood comfort – praying. Epstein is in no way shoving God down reader’s throats. Instead she’s using him as a crutch for a confused girl. And, actually, I kind of liked that Epstein wrote a little back-story for Grace’s dad’s affair, a nice little nuance that the woman he was cheating with is someone he met at bible study. It reminds me a little of that bumper-sticker joke: ‘I've got nothing against God, it's his fan club I can't stand.’
If I had any complaints about the book, it's that the relationship between Grace and her father was left a little too open-ended. It seemed like Epstein was deliberately dropping hints about Grace's dad trying to reconnect (and perhaps repent?) but this part of the narrative just sort of fizzed towards the end, and I would have liked a little more conflict and confrontation.
I also liked that the real conflict of the novel, Frank asking Grace to help him die, was watered down somewhat by Grace’s many problems. This could have been a very heavy, depressing novel if not for side-stories about Grace’s sister, Lolly, and her best friend, Eric. All of which add up to a sort of ‘softening the blow’ when based around Frank’s request. It’s also a means by which Grace can put her life into perspective – seeing that the truth is never easy, and that some things are worth fighting for … two lessons she comes to learn through her interactions and conundrums with Frank and his death wish.
I knew I’d love ‘God is in the Pancakes’, but I didn’t know how much. I laughed, I cried, I want to read absolutely every other bit of YA that Epstein comes up with. A beautiful novel, not for the faint-hearted, and definitely one to be read in the right mind-set, about a young girl coming to grips with God, life and perfect pancakes.
August 29, 2017
To me, this book would have been better, and I would have finished it before now, if the storyline about Grace's personal life just didn't keep dragging on and on. When I read the synopsis of this book, before I checked it out at my library, I thought that it was going to be more about Grace's friendship with Mr. Sands, who is a resident at the rest home Grace is a candy striper at. Instead Mr. Sands was only mentioned every once in a while at the end of the chapters.
January 5, 2020
At the first, I was put off by the sassy, teenage protagonist, Grace Manning. However, her true character emerges as she faces the challenges of work in long term care and, more particularly, in her special friendship with Mr. Sands. Sandwich generation adults will appreciate the unique perspectives revealed in the upheaval of youth, the onslaught of challenges for adults and the inevitable process of aging, which rarely takes place gracefully. Engaging, gut-wrenching and thought-provoking.
February 19, 2021
Read this one a while ago, but it stills stays with me. Really good story. One where I remember thinking, what would I do? What's the right answer? I think those are my favorite books. Ones where you can put yourself in someone else's place, and know you wouldn't know what to do. The answer is not always clear. I still think about this book and what I would have done. I'm not sure. So good!
December 2, 2016
I thought that this book was an inspiration to some problems other have a this might help them understand it's ok.
August 5, 2018
Not at all what the description had me expecting (and not in a good way). Shied away from the complex, difficult stuff and focused on a semi developed romance. Super simplistic, too easy finish.
August 7, 2014
3 stelle e mezze
Ho scovato questo romanzo per caso, in una cesta in super offerta al supermercato al modico prezzo di 1,99 €. Ovviamente, potevo non prenderlo?! E poi, visto che alla fine, qui in Sicilia mi sono portata pochissimi cartacei, l'ho iniziato subito, anche perché ero curiosa di leggerlo!
Il libro è chiaramente un libro per ragazzi giovani, ma l'ho trovato molto gradevole e con buoni personaggi e trama che anche io, che di solito non digerisco i libri per giovanissimi, ho apprezzato.
La storia racconta di Grace, quindicenne che, spinta dalla madre ("Ti aiuterà a trovare una motivazione"), lavora dopo la scuola in una casa di riposo. Lì conoscerà il signor Sands, malato di SLA, con il quale instaurerà quel rapporto paterno che non ha avuto perché il padre ha lasciato la madre, lei e la sorella per una nuova famiglia/vita. L'anziano signore le chiederà se potrà porre fine alla sua vita prima di una lunga e sofferente morte (la SLA, come spiegato nel libro, comprometterà tutti gli arti e persino respirare e masticare saranno possibili solo grazie all'uso di macchinari, lasciando però il paziente completamente vigile, ma al tempo stesso "vittima" del proprio corpo). Nella storia non mancano comunque i primi amori e le prime cotte, fra queste quella della protagonista con il suo migliore amico di sempre Eric e le vicissitudini della sorella con il suo ragazzo.
Pur essendo quindi un libro per giovanissimi, tocca temi molto importanti e non affatto leggeri, infatti la storia che leggiamo non fa altro che farci porre certi interrogativi e il più importante è senz'altro il perno della storia: quanto è giusto (e se lo) porre fine alla vita di un uomo per evitare che soffra piuttosto che seguire il corso naturale della vita? Sono domande alle quali Grace cerca di dare una risposta, non riuscendoci chiaramente.
Per quanto riguarda il titolo originale, God is in the pancakes, è riferito al rito settimanale che il padre della protagonista svolgeva insieme alle figlie prima di andarsene di casa e la protagonista userà i pancakes anche dopo per superare i momenti difficili (pancakes che ho cucinato e che sono veramente buoni, anche se iper calorici!!! Con la piccola differenza che a me lo sciroppo d'acero è piaciuto, mentre a Pila non molto! :D).
Concludendo, quindi, è un libro che mi è piaciuto e che mi ha lasciato vari spunti di riflessione e che consiglio di tutto cuore a chiunque: ai giovanissimi per provare a farsi delle domande che non si sono mai posti prima e alle persone più "grandi" per provare a porsele.
Trovate la recensione anche qui: http://geekybookers.blogspot.it/2014/...
Ho scovato questo romanzo per caso, in una cesta in super offerta al supermercato al modico prezzo di 1,99 €. Ovviamente, potevo non prenderlo?! E poi, visto che alla fine, qui in Sicilia mi sono portata pochissimi cartacei, l'ho iniziato subito, anche perché ero curiosa di leggerlo!
Il libro è chiaramente un libro per ragazzi giovani, ma l'ho trovato molto gradevole e con buoni personaggi e trama che anche io, che di solito non digerisco i libri per giovanissimi, ho apprezzato.
La storia racconta di Grace, quindicenne che, spinta dalla madre ("Ti aiuterà a trovare una motivazione"), lavora dopo la scuola in una casa di riposo. Lì conoscerà il signor Sands, malato di SLA, con il quale instaurerà quel rapporto paterno che non ha avuto perché il padre ha lasciato la madre, lei e la sorella per una nuova famiglia/vita. L'anziano signore le chiederà se potrà porre fine alla sua vita prima di una lunga e sofferente morte (la SLA, come spiegato nel libro, comprometterà tutti gli arti e persino respirare e masticare saranno possibili solo grazie all'uso di macchinari, lasciando però il paziente completamente vigile, ma al tempo stesso "vittima" del proprio corpo). Nella storia non mancano comunque i primi amori e le prime cotte, fra queste quella della protagonista con il suo migliore amico di sempre Eric e le vicissitudini della sorella con il suo ragazzo.
Pur essendo quindi un libro per giovanissimi, tocca temi molto importanti e non affatto leggeri, infatti la storia che leggiamo non fa altro che farci porre certi interrogativi e il più importante è senz'altro il perno della storia: quanto è giusto (e se lo) porre fine alla vita di un uomo per evitare che soffra piuttosto che seguire il corso naturale della vita? Sono domande alle quali Grace cerca di dare una risposta, non riuscendoci chiaramente.
Per quanto riguarda il titolo originale, God is in the pancakes, è riferito al rito settimanale che il padre della protagonista svolgeva insieme alle figlie prima di andarsene di casa e la protagonista userà i pancakes anche dopo per superare i momenti difficili (pancakes che ho cucinato e che sono veramente buoni, anche se iper calorici!!! Con la piccola differenza che a me lo sciroppo d'acero è piaciuto, mentre a Pila non molto! :D).
Concludendo, quindi, è un libro che mi è piaciuto e che mi ha lasciato vari spunti di riflessione e che consiglio di tutto cuore a chiunque: ai giovanissimi per provare a farsi delle domande che non si sono mai posti prima e alle persone più "grandi" per provare a porsele.
Trovate la recensione anche qui: http://geekybookers.blogspot.it/2014/...
September 3, 2010
Why I read this: The title was very intriguing as well as the write-up about what the book was about. It seemed more serious than a lot of books I've been reading lately and I wanted to read it.
How is the novel driven: Character. This is about Grace and decisions she has to make and how she learns more about life as a 15-year-old.
My thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. Ms. Epstein took an interesting premise and way able to pull off centering the book around that premise while adding more layers and not becoming confusing. Grace is a wonderful 15-year-old and she's a typical 15-year-old. She's trying to figure herself out and when Mr. Sands asks her to help him die, she really goes through a thought process on whether to do it. The book is thought-provoking. Grace doesn't simply have this problem, she has others as well. She meets Mrs. Sands and likes her as well and then there is her own personal life.
The book is amazing, it's uplifting and it deals with the serious subject of watching a loved one with a debilitating disease suffer and change. This is heady stuff and Ms. Epstein handles it in a marvelous way. The novel never really becomes depressing as it could dealing with this subject. There is appropriate humor throughout the book that helps with the seriousness of the subject-matter. Through the whole book Grace amazed me, I love her character and I really enjoyed this book.
In the end I liked it because I didn't feel like Ms. Epstein as an author was trying to shove an agenda down the readers throats. It's not like that at all, she's just writing a story dealing with a somewhat controversial subject but in the end she leaves the decision of what is truly right and wrong up to you. She doesn't deliver a definite statement, but presents facts and feelings through the book that work through this. I loved it, it's marvelous and a great book for teens and adults as well to read.
How is the novel driven: Character. This is about Grace and decisions she has to make and how she learns more about life as a 15-year-old.
My thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. Ms. Epstein took an interesting premise and way able to pull off centering the book around that premise while adding more layers and not becoming confusing. Grace is a wonderful 15-year-old and she's a typical 15-year-old. She's trying to figure herself out and when Mr. Sands asks her to help him die, she really goes through a thought process on whether to do it. The book is thought-provoking. Grace doesn't simply have this problem, she has others as well. She meets Mrs. Sands and likes her as well and then there is her own personal life.
The book is amazing, it's uplifting and it deals with the serious subject of watching a loved one with a debilitating disease suffer and change. This is heady stuff and Ms. Epstein handles it in a marvelous way. The novel never really becomes depressing as it could dealing with this subject. There is appropriate humor throughout the book that helps with the seriousness of the subject-matter. Through the whole book Grace amazed me, I love her character and I really enjoyed this book.
In the end I liked it because I didn't feel like Ms. Epstein as an author was trying to shove an agenda down the readers throats. It's not like that at all, she's just writing a story dealing with a somewhat controversial subject but in the end she leaves the decision of what is truly right and wrong up to you. She doesn't deliver a definite statement, but presents facts and feelings through the book that work through this. I loved it, it's marvelous and a great book for teens and adults as well to read.
March 18, 2014
Grace Manning is a fifteen year old candy-striper at a nursing home. There, she befriends Mr. Sands, an elderly gentleman who is suffering from ALS. Their friendship is one of teasing and fun, until one day when Mr. Sands asks Grace to help him die. Suddenly, Grace is caught between helping a friend in need and obeying the law. While grappling with this decision, Grace also has to deal with the everyday teenage issues—the separation of her parents, her evolving relationship with her male best friend, the dilemma over whether to inform her sister her boyfriend is cheating on her and the existence of god.
Grace is a wonderful character, because she is witty and kind—mature for her age, yet able to still be a kid. I love how she is open to befriending an elderly man, and later his wife. I can relate, because I used to “volunteer” at the nursing home near my house by playing chess with the old men. I wish more kids would do this. It can be very rewarding for everyone.
I also liked how flawed Grace was. She got tongue-tied when she was nervous and didn’t always speak up when she should…but these flaws worked themselves out as she grew as a character throughout the book.
Epstein, a former stand-up comic, does a brilliant job of balancing humor with deep topics. Watching a person succumb to ALS isn’t pretty, and the author doesn’t sugar-coat over the details, yet this still manages to be a fun, entertaining read. I think teens would get a lot out of this book.
Overall, I give God Is In The Pancakes…
Plot – 4 bookmarks
Character Development – 4 ½ bookmarks
Love Story – 3 ½ bookmarks (definitely a sub-plot)
Moral Issues – 5 bookmarks
Dream Cast (otherwise known as who I pictured while reading) – Dakota Blue Richards (Grace), Meaghan Martin (Natalie), Jeremy Sumpter (Eric), Kaya Scodelario (Lolly), Helen Miren (Isabell Sands), Dustin Hoffmann (Frank Sands)
Grace is a wonderful character, because she is witty and kind—mature for her age, yet able to still be a kid. I love how she is open to befriending an elderly man, and later his wife. I can relate, because I used to “volunteer” at the nursing home near my house by playing chess with the old men. I wish more kids would do this. It can be very rewarding for everyone.
I also liked how flawed Grace was. She got tongue-tied when she was nervous and didn’t always speak up when she should…but these flaws worked themselves out as she grew as a character throughout the book.
Epstein, a former stand-up comic, does a brilliant job of balancing humor with deep topics. Watching a person succumb to ALS isn’t pretty, and the author doesn’t sugar-coat over the details, yet this still manages to be a fun, entertaining read. I think teens would get a lot out of this book.
Overall, I give God Is In The Pancakes…
Plot – 4 bookmarks
Character Development – 4 ½ bookmarks
Love Story – 3 ½ bookmarks (definitely a sub-plot)
Moral Issues – 5 bookmarks
Dream Cast (otherwise known as who I pictured while reading) – Dakota Blue Richards (Grace), Meaghan Martin (Natalie), Jeremy Sumpter (Eric), Kaya Scodelario (Lolly), Helen Miren (Isabell Sands), Dustin Hoffmann (Frank Sands)
December 24, 2009
Reviewed by Kira M for TeensReadToo.com
15-year-old Grace is having a hard time pulling her life together. Her sister's boyfriend is two-timing her and she wants to have sex with him; Grace's parents' divorce is taking a toll on the family; her father is trying to get in contact with her; and Grace's guy friend is kind of becoming a boyfriend.
It's no wonder that her job as a Candy Striper at Hanover House is something she enjoys so much. While there, she meets an older gentleman named Mr. Sands with Lou Gehrig's Disease. He teaches her to play poker and becomes like a surrogate father to her.
When her friend's health goes drastically downhill, Grace finds herself spending more and more time with Mr. Sands, as well as with his wife. When faced with a difficult request to help him die, Grace is aghast and uncertain of what to do. Will she get her life straightened out? Will she reconnect with her real father? Will she tell her sister that her boyfriend's cheating on her? What will Grace decide to do about Mr. Sands?
A touching story about a caring young woman who has some difficult situations to deal with in life. The characters are well-developed and likable. The plot is slower-paced but keeps you interested. Readers who like realistic fiction and heartwarming novels will enjoy reading GOD IS IN THE PANCAKES.
15-year-old Grace is having a hard time pulling her life together. Her sister's boyfriend is two-timing her and she wants to have sex with him; Grace's parents' divorce is taking a toll on the family; her father is trying to get in contact with her; and Grace's guy friend is kind of becoming a boyfriend.
It's no wonder that her job as a Candy Striper at Hanover House is something she enjoys so much. While there, she meets an older gentleman named Mr. Sands with Lou Gehrig's Disease. He teaches her to play poker and becomes like a surrogate father to her.
When her friend's health goes drastically downhill, Grace finds herself spending more and more time with Mr. Sands, as well as with his wife. When faced with a difficult request to help him die, Grace is aghast and uncertain of what to do. Will she get her life straightened out? Will she reconnect with her real father? Will she tell her sister that her boyfriend's cheating on her? What will Grace decide to do about Mr. Sands?
A touching story about a caring young woman who has some difficult situations to deal with in life. The characters are well-developed and likable. The plot is slower-paced but keeps you interested. Readers who like realistic fiction and heartwarming novels will enjoy reading GOD IS IN THE PANCAKES.
September 15, 2016
What a refreshing new take on people & life!
February 28, 2010
Grace works at the local nursing home, which may be surprising, but what's an even bigger surprise is the fact that she actually likes it. This is mostly due to Mr. Sands, an ex-marine with Lou Gehrig's disease whom she befriends. He and Grace constantly try to out-wit one another with their playful and often hilarious banter. Despite Grace's family and best-friend-who-is-a-boy issues, she spends her time at Hanover House learning about life and how to play cards until one day when Mr. Sands asks her to help him die.
I wish I could convey to you my love for this book. Every. single. word. resonated with me. Obviously an author's goal is for readers to relate to the main character(s), but the way I saw myself in Grace was almost scary. Not that I've had someone ask me to help him die, but she kept saying and thinking things that I could totally see myself saying and thinking. This book was an amazing tribute to an honorable man and his fight against a debilitating and fatal disease. But it was also a tribute to that man's loved ones and just how far they'll go to stand by him. This book was bittersweet in the best possible way and vies for a spot on my list of best endings.
Read more reviews like this one at http://www.bookmarkedblog.com
I wish I could convey to you my love for this book. Every. single. word. resonated with me. Obviously an author's goal is for readers to relate to the main character(s), but the way I saw myself in Grace was almost scary. Not that I've had someone ask me to help him die, but she kept saying and thinking things that I could totally see myself saying and thinking. This book was an amazing tribute to an honorable man and his fight against a debilitating and fatal disease. But it was also a tribute to that man's loved ones and just how far they'll go to stand by him. This book was bittersweet in the best possible way and vies for a spot on my list of best endings.
Read more reviews like this one at http://www.bookmarkedblog.com
December 22, 2010
The dust jacket of this book actually compares it (or perhaps the main character Grace Manning) to the movie Juno. "Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy." "Robin Epstein, you're no Diablo Cody." Come on: can we really compare the wisecracks of this girl struggling with her parents' divorce and the fairly predictable friend-turning-into-more-than-friend boy trouble with the chugging the Sunny D so she can pee on a preggers stick in the convenience store bathroom icon Juno? Nope.
In fact, while I did find laudable aspects to the story and character and enjoyed Grace's interactions with her nursing home job buddy Mr. Sands, who has asked her to help him die before the onset of his ALS pushes him beyond his humanity, and his wonderful wife Isabelle, I can't help but compare it to another piece of recently read realistic (sort of) fiction with some similar elements: SORTA LIKE A ROCK STAR. Now that protagonist is way more Juno than this chick--if we're staging a Juno-alike showdown. I really liked SORTA better, so maybe that is crapping me out on this one? Or maybe I am a brilliant YA lit. connoisseur and this one really isn't as good. I do like me some pancakes though, but I find the God part makes them a bit chewy and sometimes burned on one side . . .
In fact, while I did find laudable aspects to the story and character and enjoyed Grace's interactions with her nursing home job buddy Mr. Sands, who has asked her to help him die before the onset of his ALS pushes him beyond his humanity, and his wonderful wife Isabelle, I can't help but compare it to another piece of recently read realistic (sort of) fiction with some similar elements: SORTA LIKE A ROCK STAR. Now that protagonist is way more Juno than this chick--if we're staging a Juno-alike showdown. I really liked SORTA better, so maybe that is crapping me out on this one? Or maybe I am a brilliant YA lit. connoisseur and this one really isn't as good. I do like me some pancakes though, but I find the God part makes them a bit chewy and sometimes burned on one side . . .
September 14, 2013
Find this review and more on my website, Through a Seattle Looking Glass, www.ashleyisee.com.
What I See: This book challenges it’s characters in a rarely seen contemporary way. I appreciated that, but there was still something missing. Grace Manning is a strong female teen character, and perhaps that’s why I’m not entirely on board. She acts a bit too adult. She’s a bit too mature.
It’s a different kind of story, with beautiful passages and thoughts through Grace. I don’t want to hate on Grace, I just want to bring to attention that it’s all a bit cookie cutter when it comes to the end. To go from super adult to typical YA ending makes have a disconnect.
Nevertheless, it’s a story that tugs at the heartstrings. It’s a coming of age story that hits all the buttons and targets for what a books needs to be. And yet, I wanted something more. Not more pages, but I guess it’s the ending for me. It’s a bit 80’s romantic comedy. The major chunk of the story is full of heart and trials, and I guess I wished the end reflected that growth of character. But the grief subject matter is a great discussion point and I'm pleased that Epstein went there. There needs to be more contemporary, stand alone YA books out there!
What I See: This book challenges it’s characters in a rarely seen contemporary way. I appreciated that, but there was still something missing. Grace Manning is a strong female teen character, and perhaps that’s why I’m not entirely on board. She acts a bit too adult. She’s a bit too mature.
It’s a different kind of story, with beautiful passages and thoughts through Grace. I don’t want to hate on Grace, I just want to bring to attention that it’s all a bit cookie cutter when it comes to the end. To go from super adult to typical YA ending makes have a disconnect.
Nevertheless, it’s a story that tugs at the heartstrings. It’s a coming of age story that hits all the buttons and targets for what a books needs to be. And yet, I wanted something more. Not more pages, but I guess it’s the ending for me. It’s a bit 80’s romantic comedy. The major chunk of the story is full of heart and trials, and I guess I wished the end reflected that growth of character. But the grief subject matter is a great discussion point and I'm pleased that Epstein went there. There needs to be more contemporary, stand alone YA books out there!
April 27, 2010
On one hand, this book has all the makings of a cliche - girl and her family abandoned by their father, tenuous relationships with that family but on the mend, best friend becoming something more...really it could have been quite predictable. And in many ways, it was. But what I love about Grace is that she is 15. Things don't just fall into place and overnight she doesn't just know what to do. She suffers through high school like many of us did - in the shadows - and secretly enjoys that her mother makes her work. She wants something more with her best friend but doesn't realize it right away. She wrestles with whether to tell her sister and her mother how she feels about things, worried she'll make things worse. And like most girls, it's funny what the perfect dress will do for your confidence.
In the end, this isn't a breakthrough phenomenon, but it is a story that is true to itself without allowing the cliches to overcome and make it into what a lot of teen fiction (drama?!) is today. A thought-provoking book that asks (and sometimes answers) questions without whacking you in the face.
Caution: There is a significant amount of swearing, including one instance of the f-word.
In the end, this isn't a breakthrough phenomenon, but it is a story that is true to itself without allowing the cliches to overcome and make it into what a lot of teen fiction (drama?!) is today. A thought-provoking book that asks (and sometimes answers) questions without whacking you in the face.
Caution: There is a significant amount of swearing, including one instance of the f-word.
May 14, 2010
Here's the review from Publisher's Weekly:
In Epstein's (the Groovy Girls series) powerful and poignant novel, her first for teenage readers, 10th-grader Grace narrates her exploration of life's conundrums as she faces difficult choices in every close relationship, some of which are literally a matter of life and death. Reeling from her father's sudden departure from their family and adulterous relationship with a church friend, Grace feels abandoned by him and by God, left to confront complex issues alone. Should she tell her older sister, Lolly, that Lolly's boyfriend is cheating? Can she support her overwhelmed and exhausted mother and ever speak to her father again? How should she cope with the new feelings she's having for her best friend, Eric? And most importantly, when the terminally ill Mr. Sands, her favorite patient at her after-school nursing home job, asks her to help him die, what is the moral response? Unsentimental but caring intergenerational relationships and spot-on adolescent banter provide humor and hope in this stellar addition to the coming-of-age genre, which offers neither judgments nor simplistic answers.
In Epstein's (the Groovy Girls series) powerful and poignant novel, her first for teenage readers, 10th-grader Grace narrates her exploration of life's conundrums as she faces difficult choices in every close relationship, some of which are literally a matter of life and death. Reeling from her father's sudden departure from their family and adulterous relationship with a church friend, Grace feels abandoned by him and by God, left to confront complex issues alone. Should she tell her older sister, Lolly, that Lolly's boyfriend is cheating? Can she support her overwhelmed and exhausted mother and ever speak to her father again? How should she cope with the new feelings she's having for her best friend, Eric? And most importantly, when the terminally ill Mr. Sands, her favorite patient at her after-school nursing home job, asks her to help him die, what is the moral response? Unsentimental but caring intergenerational relationships and spot-on adolescent banter provide humor and hope in this stellar addition to the coming-of-age genre, which offers neither judgments nor simplistic answers.
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