Amazing Gracie

by Ann Edwards Cannon

Gracie, fifteen, looks just like her mother--and she worries that she's like her in other ways, for Mom has a history of depression. Practical Gracie has been the one to manage their lives. Then Mom remarries, suddenly, and they move to Salt Lake City, where Gracie has to share a room with her six-year-old stepbrother, Sinjian. But in some ways the move is good for Gracie. She meets Tiimo, her first boyfriend, explores the city, and even begins to enjoy Sinjian's company. But for Mom, it's a disaster. When her mother attempts suicide, it's up to Gracie to hold her new family together.

Genres: Young Adult, Teen, Fiction

214 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

My name is Ann Edwards ("A. E.") Cannon, and I write books for young readers, as well as a weekly column for the Deseret News. I also teach creative writing and work as a bookseller at the famous King's English Bookshop in Salt Lake City. My husband, Ken, and I have five (count 'em) sons, two daughters-in-law, no grandchildren (not yet, anyway) two parakeets, one parrot, two cats, and two dogs. One of the dogs weighs (no kidding) 160 pounds.

Reviews

[Cynthia Sillitoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite AE Cannon book.

[whalesister · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked it a lot. For older readers, deals with a mom's suicide attempt, so would be disturbing for middle-graders. Ann's great at understatement in a story's crisis moments, which makes the emotions much more powerful than if she told you everything-- just in case you missed it. I love that.

[Brittany Rhodes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my most favorite books I've ever read. Can't even count how many times I've read it!

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well written, poignant book about how a young teen conquers life as a step-daughter and -sister while dealing with a mother’s depression. I was impressed by the scope of feelings, concerns, and actions covered in such a short yet sweet novel.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as a kid, and I loved it. I related a lot to Gracie, and I read the whole thing in my room in one afternoon.

[Michelle Llewellyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book on a thrift store shelf. The only reason I bought it was because it was set in Salt Lake City. I've lived in Utah for more than half my life and too often I had to roll my eyes at the main character's believability. Gracie was supposedly born and raised in Utah so moving from Provo to Salt Lake City shouldn't be THAT traumatic. The author also made sure to include all the Utah "quirks" to satisfy all non-Mormon readers: everyone in Utah is a superficial religious fanatic (except non-Mormons), every Mormon bishop's daughter rebels against her religion and depression is not a lifestyle choice, some people are just born that way, ya know.
This paperback was published in 1991 and it is very dated. Local radio station Z93 turned country in 1995, Crossroads Mall was torn down in 2007 to be replaced with City Creek Center and the neighborhood Gracie moves to, The Avenues, now includes gay and lesbian families as well as plenty of heterosexual blended families like hers so her situation is not as odd as it might have been back in the day.
I did not feel the plot grew naturally. Gracie is a doormat playing the role of responsible adult and feeling guilty whenever she actually acts her age, fifteen. There isn't a single adult role model for her to look up to as Mom and stepfather Pete are both too disengaged to take responsibility for this new family they've created. No wonder the six-year-old stepbrother is such an unlikeable brat. There is no main conflict in the story. Gracie's life is just sad but luckily one of the boys in her new neighborhood takes a liking to her and things start to look up. Until Mom decides to take her own life that is.
Read the book to find out how everything is resolved. It ends on a positive note, or tries to. The author's writing style and plot development leaves a lot to be desired.

[Pam]

This book tells the story of a girl who's mother is more like a child, so she's played mom for her and her little brother. Now her mother's getting married and she has to adjust to a new life with a father, a new city, and a new lifestyle.

I thought the book was very well written. The reason I only gave it three stars is because it was not a very cheerful book. Sometimes this kind of book is cathartic, but this one didn't work that way for me.

[Jill · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this for an Ad-Lit class in college. It's probably not really available at libraries outside of UT. A.E. Cannon (Ann Edwards Cannon) is LaVell Edwards' daughter. I mostly read this, because she came to class to present to us. I thought it was a great Ad-Lit book. Nothing earth-shattering, but a decent read, and touches on topics that would resonate with teenage girls.

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Ann Cannon's columns in the Deseret News, so I thought I'd give one of her books a read. It was a good book about a 15-16 year old girl who has a really hard life but learns to make the best of it.

[Meg · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is set in Salt Lake City, Utah so it was fun to read and recognize places (such as Hires) and picture actual places in my mind. The mom deals with depression so it has some mature material in it.

[Jody Kyburz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm finding Ann Cannon's books easy to read. I also find a satisfying ending each and every time. I'm still blown away at the wiiiiiiiiiiiide variety of stuff she writes. She's not afraid of real stuff.

[Debby · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel takes a fairly grim look at dysfunctional families, hard responsibilities, and the solid value of pursuing one's dreams. Set in Utah, but with no direct reference to the LDS Church, although members will recognize certain references as being Mormon related.

[Saralyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked what Gracie learned about family. That's about all I have to say about it.

[Gaylene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am usually into more quirky, less serious books, but I was surprised how much I loved this story. Anne gets the point of depression and suicide across without having me become depressed.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

First read this book when I had strep in 6th grade. I've read it probably 15 times in between, the last time being 5 months ago. Sometimes it's just what I need. :)

[Julie Seamons · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young girl's struggle in a difficult situation and how she forges on to find herself and helps her mother.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Deals with a teenage girl dealing with a mom's suicide attempt and a younger brother. Set in SLC so it was fun to recognize familiar areas.

[Elisabeth Petty]

I read this book a few times as a teenager. It's about a girl trying to adjust to her new life and finding friends and a little romance.

[Jayci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet and touching.

[Erica]

I remember loving this book when I was young.

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Regina · Rating 3 out of 5]

i normally don't read/ like realictic fiction but this one was good.