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Confessions of April Grace #1
In Front of God and Everybody
If God wanted April Grace to be kind to her neighbors, He should have made them nicer! Growing up in the country is never easy, but it sure is funny―especially if you happen to have a sister obsessed with being glamorous, a grandma just discovering make-up, hippie friends who never shower, and brand new neighbors from the city who test everyone’s patience. From disastrous dye jobs to forced apologies and elderly date tagalongs, you’ll laugh ‘til you cry as you read the Confessions of April Grace !
Here are just a couple of April's On her sister, Myra "How anyone can be that dumb and still be able to eat with a fork is beyond me." On senior citizen "What if they started smooching right at the table in front of God and everybody?" In spite of all the loony characters in her life, April Grace is able to learn from her parents as they share the love of God―to even the craziest of characters!
Here are just a couple of April's On her sister, Myra "How anyone can be that dumb and still be able to eat with a fork is beyond me." On senior citizen "What if they started smooching right at the table in front of God and everybody?" In spite of all the loony characters in her life, April Grace is able to learn from her parents as they share the love of God―to even the craziest of characters!
304 pages, Paperback
First published May 10, 2011
47 people are currently reading
952 people want to read
About the author
K.D. McCrite
38 books67 followersAlso writes as Sydney Hope Archer.
K.D. McCrite was raised on a small dairy farm in the Ozarks. She has a degree in psychology from Drury University and has worked as a librarian and as a mental health caseworker.
She currently resides in Arkansas.
K.D. McCrite was raised on a small dairy farm in the Ozarks. She has a degree in psychology from Drury University and has worked as a librarian and as a mental health caseworker.
She currently resides in Arkansas.
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April 18, 2022
{{This is an updated review. Originally posted January 1st, 2015, it was updated on April 17th, 2022 to the Official Rating System.}}
About this book:
“Growing up in the country is never easy, but it sure is funny--especially if you happen to have a sister obsessed with being glamorous, a grandma just discovering make-up, hippie friends who never shower, and brand new neighbors from the city who test everyone's patience. From disastrous dye jobs to forced apologies and elderly date tagalongs, you'll laugh 'til you cry as you read the "Confessions of April Grace"!
Here are just a couple of April's thoughts: On her sister, Myra Sue: "How anyone can be that dumb and still be able to eat with a fork is beyond me." On senior citizen lovebirds: "What if they started smooching right at the table in front of God and everybody?"
In spite of all the loony characters in her life, April Grace is able to learn from her parents as they share the love of God--to even the craziest of characters!”
Series: Book #1 in the “Confessions of April Grace” series. There are three books in this original series and the first book in a new series about April Grace will be republished this summer.
Spiritual Content- Scriptures are mentioned, quoted, & talked about; The Prayer of Saint Francis is read; Talks about God & judging; ‘H’s are capitalized when referring to God; Mentions of God, Jesus, & treating others as you would want to be treated; Mentions of prayers, praying, & blessings over food; Mentions of the Prayer of Saint Francis; Mentions of churches, church going, & preachers/reverends; Mentions of blessings & being Blessed; A few mentions of those in the Bible; A few mentions of VBS & Sunday school classes; A couple mentions of Christians; A couple mentions of hymns; A couple mentions of martyrdom; A couple mentions of a revival meeting; A mention of the Lord’s Prayer; A mention of a picture of Jesus; A mention of the Second Coming; A mention of April Grace’s sister acting like Mother Teresa;
*Note: A neighbor of the Reilly family are old hippies who go by the names Temple & Forest Freebrid (Temple says that “she is the temple of her inner goddess, and he says he inhabits the souls of trees.”); Temple mentions about centering yourself in the center of the universe & closes her eyes like she’s praying; Isabel says they are not religious & later adds that she isn’t sure if she believes in God; April Grace describes Isabel being mad as “I’m pretty sure she was trying to keep her eyeballs from bursting into flames like those pictures you see of Satan.”; A few mentions of being or not being religious fanatics; A couple mentions of embracing your inner goddess; A mention of a truck being as “big and red as sin itself”; A mention of a cat dashing off like the devil was after it; A mention of a placed rumored to be haunted; A mention of being called a psychic; A mention of a town not being a mecca of entertainment.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘blasted’, a ‘oh my word’, a ‘shucks’, a ‘ticked off’, a ‘wretch’, two ‘baloney’s, two forms of ‘idiot’s, two ‘my stars!’s, two forms of ‘shut up/hush up’, three ‘what a drip’s, nine ‘stupid’s, and twenty-five forms of ‘dumb’; Myra Sue & April Grace call each other names (like “You look like dog poop”, “big, fat pain”, “you toad”, brat, hicks, etc.) and it can boarder on hateful (mostly from Myra Sue, such as Myra Sue saying April Grace will grow up to be trailer trash and April Grace saying that the day God created Myra Sue was the funniest joke); Mentions of curses (said, but are either not written out or cut-off; Most from Ian & Isabel who both cuss & use the Lord’s name in vain (April Grace adds that she would get in trouble for mentioning and adds “so just use your imagination.”)); Lots of eye rolling, sarcasm, & being a smart-aleck; Isabel & Ian bicker quite a bit (and also cussed each other out at one point); Many mentions of smoking, cigarettes, & tobacco; Mentions of thinking someone might be an ax murderer or kidnapper & being murdered (with a couple mentions of blood & body parts); Mentions of thinking maybe a man killed his wife; Mentions of blood/bleeding, pain, & injuries (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of thieves, stealing, criminals, & crimes; Mentions of gambling & losing everything; Mentions of alcohol, drinking, Isabel wanting a drink, & a beer joint in town; Mentions of hatred & hateful words; Mentions of lies, lying, & liars; Mentions of throwing up; Mentions of spankings; A few mentions of thinking a woman was physically abused by her husband (April Grace thinks that they need to haul him off to jail before anything worse happens, but then notices it’s just smeared mascara); A few mentions of jails/prisons; A few mentions of snakes, being bitten by a poisonous one, & dying (barely-above-not-detailed); A few mentions of tattoos & piercings; A few mentions of divorces; A few mentions of jealousy; A few mentions of poop & outhouses; A few mentions of stinky armpits (being crushed into one and then a town being called an armpit); A couple mentions of a war & the Great Depression; A couple mentions of earthquakes; A couple mentions of bullies; A couple mentions of eavesdropping; A couple mentions of belching; A mention of shooting an injured horse; A mention of someone being a pain in the behind;
*Note: There is some prejudice towards hillbillies (such as asking about marrying a cousin, living in a trailer, & owning shoes); April Grace thinks that her sister has to be adopted because her personality is nothing like their parents & that Myra Sue’s real mother had to be bitten by something awful while pregnant to cause her to give birth to such a bratty kid; When told she’s narrow minded, Isabel says she’s a registered Democrat; Many mentions of brand names & stores (Walmart, Macy’s, JC Penney, McDonald’s, My Little Pony, Pepsi-Cola, Kleenex, Jell-O, Old Spice, Hallmark, Kraft Caramels, a Mars bar, Malt-o-Meal, Cheerios, Corn Flakes, Lucky Charms, Scrubbing Bubbles, Lysol, Glade, Charmin toilet paper, Handi Wipes, & Dove); Mentions of movies, TV shows, characters, celebrities, & singers (A Nightmare on Elm Street, Karate Kid II, Days of Our Lives, Andy Griffith Show, The Cosby Show, Murder She Wrote, Search for Tomorrow, Masterpiece Theater, NOVA, 60 Minutes, Card Sharks, Press Your Luck, Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, Jane Fonda, John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, Fred Astaire, Wham, Rick Astley, Blondie, Old King Cole, & Brooke Shields); Mentions of car brands; A few mentions of books & characters (Oliver Twist, Jane Eyre, The Hobbit ); A few mentions of pain medicine brands (Tylenol & Darvocet); A couple mentions of the Dallas Cowboys; A couple mentions of the phrase “trailer trash” (used to insult).
Sexual Content- Mentions of a grandma’s boyfriend; Mentions of kisses & kissing (including seeing it happen four times, barely-above-not-detailed; Grandma Grace says a man kissed her yesterday, which April Grace overhears this and is grossed out at the thought of her Grandma and some man kissing); A few mentions of a man being hot for April Grace’s Grandma; A couple mentions of flirting;
*Note: (To avoid the spoiler, a young girl is diagnosed with an eating disorder) ; Myra Sue gets the notion after hanging out with Isabel (who is as skinny as a rail) that she’s fat and the size of a house; When Myra Sue goes to the doctor, Isabel wonders if Myra Sue has a boyfriend and would “indulge…” (hints to if she’s pregnant—which she’s not and April Grace tells her so); Isabel says she refuses to ruin her figure to have a child; In the bathroom when April Grace is looking for something, she comes across “a box of feminine you-know-whats”; A few mentions of a mother not being ready for her daughter or being a mother; A couple mentions of a woman’s scrawny chest & butt; A couple mentions of a family saying they have raised three kids, one of each (each April Grace wonders if they mean their poodle); A couple mentions of bras & undies; A mention of short-shorts; A mention of a sheer nightie; A mention that Lily caught Myra Sue staring in the minor while saying something about her “huge butt”.
-April Grace Reilly, age 11
1st Person P.O.V. of April Grace
Set in 1986
290 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- Two Stars
New Teens- Two Stars
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars
I find this book to be a hoot because of April Grace. There’s a lot of humor and funny moments in this book. According to my notes, this is apparently the fourth time I’ve read this book and I think I still enjoyed it just as much.
It is, however, a book I would hesitate to give to middle-grade readers. Yes, there’s a lot of humor, but April Grace does criticizes/judges others quite a bit, there’s a lot of sarcasm/sass and sibling bickering (some boarder-lining on just plain hateful from Myra Sue), mentions of cussing, and towards the end, someone is diagnosed with an eating disorder. I could see why some families would pass on this book and series because of these elements. There was a good amount of faith content in it and good lessons, though, by the end, which I really enjoyed seeing.
Link to review:
http://booksforchristiangirls.blogspo...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
About this book:
“Growing up in the country is never easy, but it sure is funny--especially if you happen to have a sister obsessed with being glamorous, a grandma just discovering make-up, hippie friends who never shower, and brand new neighbors from the city who test everyone's patience. From disastrous dye jobs to forced apologies and elderly date tagalongs, you'll laugh 'til you cry as you read the "Confessions of April Grace"!
Here are just a couple of April's thoughts: On her sister, Myra Sue: "How anyone can be that dumb and still be able to eat with a fork is beyond me." On senior citizen lovebirds: "What if they started smooching right at the table in front of God and everybody?"
In spite of all the loony characters in her life, April Grace is able to learn from her parents as they share the love of God--to even the craziest of characters!”
Series: Book #1 in the “Confessions of April Grace” series. There are three books in this original series and the first book in a new series about April Grace will be republished this summer.
Spiritual Content- Scriptures are mentioned, quoted, & talked about; The Prayer of Saint Francis is read; Talks about God & judging; ‘H’s are capitalized when referring to God; Mentions of God, Jesus, & treating others as you would want to be treated; Mentions of prayers, praying, & blessings over food; Mentions of the Prayer of Saint Francis; Mentions of churches, church going, & preachers/reverends; Mentions of blessings & being Blessed; A few mentions of those in the Bible; A few mentions of VBS & Sunday school classes; A couple mentions of Christians; A couple mentions of hymns; A couple mentions of martyrdom; A couple mentions of a revival meeting; A mention of the Lord’s Prayer; A mention of a picture of Jesus; A mention of the Second Coming; A mention of April Grace’s sister acting like Mother Teresa;
*Note: A neighbor of the Reilly family are old hippies who go by the names Temple & Forest Freebrid (Temple says that “she is the temple of her inner goddess, and he says he inhabits the souls of trees.”); Temple mentions about centering yourself in the center of the universe & closes her eyes like she’s praying; Isabel says they are not religious & later adds that she isn’t sure if she believes in God; April Grace describes Isabel being mad as “I’m pretty sure she was trying to keep her eyeballs from bursting into flames like those pictures you see of Satan.”; A few mentions of being or not being religious fanatics; A couple mentions of embracing your inner goddess; A mention of a truck being as “big and red as sin itself”; A mention of a cat dashing off like the devil was after it; A mention of a placed rumored to be haunted; A mention of being called a psychic; A mention of a town not being a mecca of entertainment.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘blasted’, a ‘oh my word’, a ‘shucks’, a ‘ticked off’, a ‘wretch’, two ‘baloney’s, two forms of ‘idiot’s, two ‘my stars!’s, two forms of ‘shut up/hush up’, three ‘what a drip’s, nine ‘stupid’s, and twenty-five forms of ‘dumb’; Myra Sue & April Grace call each other names (like “You look like dog poop”, “big, fat pain”, “you toad”, brat, hicks, etc.) and it can boarder on hateful (mostly from Myra Sue, such as Myra Sue saying April Grace will grow up to be trailer trash and April Grace saying that the day God created Myra Sue was the funniest joke); Mentions of curses (said, but are either not written out or cut-off; Most from Ian & Isabel who both cuss & use the Lord’s name in vain (April Grace adds that she would get in trouble for mentioning and adds “so just use your imagination.”)); Lots of eye rolling, sarcasm, & being a smart-aleck; Isabel & Ian bicker quite a bit (and also cussed each other out at one point); Many mentions of smoking, cigarettes, & tobacco; Mentions of thinking someone might be an ax murderer or kidnapper & being murdered (with a couple mentions of blood & body parts); Mentions of thinking maybe a man killed his wife; Mentions of blood/bleeding, pain, & injuries (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of thieves, stealing, criminals, & crimes; Mentions of gambling & losing everything; Mentions of alcohol, drinking, Isabel wanting a drink, & a beer joint in town; Mentions of hatred & hateful words; Mentions of lies, lying, & liars; Mentions of throwing up; Mentions of spankings; A few mentions of thinking a woman was physically abused by her husband (April Grace thinks that they need to haul him off to jail before anything worse happens, but then notices it’s just smeared mascara); A few mentions of jails/prisons; A few mentions of snakes, being bitten by a poisonous one, & dying (barely-above-not-detailed); A few mentions of tattoos & piercings; A few mentions of divorces; A few mentions of jealousy; A few mentions of poop & outhouses; A few mentions of stinky armpits (being crushed into one and then a town being called an armpit); A couple mentions of a war & the Great Depression; A couple mentions of earthquakes; A couple mentions of bullies; A couple mentions of eavesdropping; A couple mentions of belching; A mention of shooting an injured horse; A mention of someone being a pain in the behind;
*Note: There is some prejudice towards hillbillies (such as asking about marrying a cousin, living in a trailer, & owning shoes); April Grace thinks that her sister has to be adopted because her personality is nothing like their parents & that Myra Sue’s real mother had to be bitten by something awful while pregnant to cause her to give birth to such a bratty kid; When told she’s narrow minded, Isabel says she’s a registered Democrat; Many mentions of brand names & stores (Walmart, Macy’s, JC Penney, McDonald’s, My Little Pony, Pepsi-Cola, Kleenex, Jell-O, Old Spice, Hallmark, Kraft Caramels, a Mars bar, Malt-o-Meal, Cheerios, Corn Flakes, Lucky Charms, Scrubbing Bubbles, Lysol, Glade, Charmin toilet paper, Handi Wipes, & Dove); Mentions of movies, TV shows, characters, celebrities, & singers (A Nightmare on Elm Street, Karate Kid II, Days of Our Lives, Andy Griffith Show, The Cosby Show, Murder She Wrote, Search for Tomorrow, Masterpiece Theater, NOVA, 60 Minutes, Card Sharks, Press Your Luck, Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, Jane Fonda, John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, Fred Astaire, Wham, Rick Astley, Blondie, Old King Cole, & Brooke Shields); Mentions of car brands; A few mentions of books & characters (Oliver Twist, Jane Eyre, The Hobbit ); A few mentions of pain medicine brands (Tylenol & Darvocet); A couple mentions of the Dallas Cowboys; A couple mentions of the phrase “trailer trash” (used to insult).
Sexual Content- Mentions of a grandma’s boyfriend; Mentions of kisses & kissing (including seeing it happen four times, barely-above-not-detailed; Grandma Grace says a man kissed her yesterday, which April Grace overhears this and is grossed out at the thought of her Grandma and some man kissing); A few mentions of a man being hot for April Grace’s Grandma; A couple mentions of flirting;
*Note: (To avoid the spoiler, a young girl is diagnosed with an eating disorder) ; Myra Sue gets the notion after hanging out with Isabel (who is as skinny as a rail) that she’s fat and the size of a house; When Myra Sue goes to the doctor, Isabel wonders if Myra Sue has a boyfriend and would “indulge…” (hints to if she’s pregnant—which she’s not and April Grace tells her so); Isabel says she refuses to ruin her figure to have a child; In the bathroom when April Grace is looking for something, she comes across “a box of feminine you-know-whats”; A few mentions of a mother not being ready for her daughter or being a mother; A couple mentions of a woman’s scrawny chest & butt; A couple mentions of a family saying they have raised three kids, one of each (each April Grace wonders if they mean their poodle); A couple mentions of bras & undies; A mention of short-shorts; A mention of a sheer nightie; A mention that Lily caught Myra Sue staring in the minor while saying something about her “huge butt”.
-April Grace Reilly, age 11
1st Person P.O.V. of April Grace
Set in 1986
290 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- Two Stars
New Teens- Two Stars
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars
I find this book to be a hoot because of April Grace. There’s a lot of humor and funny moments in this book. According to my notes, this is apparently the fourth time I’ve read this book and I think I still enjoyed it just as much.
It is, however, a book I would hesitate to give to middle-grade readers. Yes, there’s a lot of humor, but April Grace does criticizes/judges others quite a bit, there’s a lot of sarcasm/sass and sibling bickering (some boarder-lining on just plain hateful from Myra Sue), mentions of cussing, and towards the end, someone is diagnosed with an eating disorder. I could see why some families would pass on this book and series because of these elements. There was a good amount of faith content in it and good lessons, though, by the end, which I really enjoyed seeing.
Link to review:
http://booksforchristiangirls.blogspo...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
January 7, 2021
As a longtime fan of the Disney Channel, I can't help but be reminded of shows or telefilms such as Lizzie McGuire or High School Musical when I read this kind of juvenile fiction. This was a fun story that has some surprising twists; far be it from me to spoil the surprises! Even if you're not in the target age for this book, if you've enjoyed old-school family flicks such as the Beethoven movies, you will probably enjoy this.
December 28, 2014
in front of God and everybody: CONFESSIONS OF April Grace
by KD McCrite
I am going to say something about this book that I NEVER say about Christian book selections - HILARIOUS! I mean Laugh-Out-Loud and read it to your husband funny!
April Grace is an eleven year old (going on 15) living in the Ozarks with her older sister, Myra Sue, her parents, her suddenly-hip grandmother and her new "citified" neighbors. April Grace is not about to tolerate being talked down to by her new neighbors, nor her grandmother's new Texas boyfriend. She keeps her guard up and tolerates them to keep peace, but when push comes to shove - she speaks her mind.
What April Grace doesn't realize is that rather than being judged, she's the one being judgmental and it takes a family crisis for her to recognize her own faults. I loved reading the outrageous thoughts April Grace has about the people around her. Her description of her grandmother's driving is unforgettable and spit-take worthy. My other favorite parts are when Mr. Rance, Grandma's boyfriend, invites April Grace to go to town with them for a cheeseburger. April thinks,
"Now, I was of two minds about this. While I was downright overjoyed that I might be safe from Grandma's driving this week, I really, really did not want to sit in a cafe with those two senior citizen lovebirds. What if they started smooching right at the table in front of God and everybody?"
and
"How anyone can be that dumb and still be able to eat with a fork is beyond me!"
Not only are April Grace's thoughts entertaining as all get-out, she's unravelling a mystery and learning to be like her parents - Christians who never judge and constantly put others before them, serving tirelessly and generously.
I give Confessions 5 sweet-tea stars!
This book was provided to me by Booksneeze.Com - opinions my own.
In Front of God and Everybody
by KD McCrite
I am going to say something about this book that I NEVER say about Christian book selections - HILARIOUS! I mean Laugh-Out-Loud and read it to your husband funny!
April Grace is an eleven year old (going on 15) living in the Ozarks with her older sister, Myra Sue, her parents, her suddenly-hip grandmother and her new "citified" neighbors. April Grace is not about to tolerate being talked down to by her new neighbors, nor her grandmother's new Texas boyfriend. She keeps her guard up and tolerates them to keep peace, but when push comes to shove - she speaks her mind.
What April Grace doesn't realize is that rather than being judged, she's the one being judgmental and it takes a family crisis for her to recognize her own faults. I loved reading the outrageous thoughts April Grace has about the people around her. Her description of her grandmother's driving is unforgettable and spit-take worthy. My other favorite parts are when Mr. Rance, Grandma's boyfriend, invites April Grace to go to town with them for a cheeseburger. April thinks,
"Now, I was of two minds about this. While I was downright overjoyed that I might be safe from Grandma's driving this week, I really, really did not want to sit in a cafe with those two senior citizen lovebirds. What if they started smooching right at the table in front of God and everybody?"
and
"How anyone can be that dumb and still be able to eat with a fork is beyond me!"
Not only are April Grace's thoughts entertaining as all get-out, she's unravelling a mystery and learning to be like her parents - Christians who never judge and constantly put others before them, serving tirelessly and generously.
I give Confessions 5 sweet-tea stars!
This book was provided to me by Booksneeze.Com - opinions my own.
In Front of God and Everybody
April 23, 2025
First, thank you Mom for getting me this book for Easter. I love you lots!
I liked this book a lot! The characters were so unique and well-written. Some characters I just wanted to hug, and some characters I wanted to punch in the face *cough Mr Rance cough*. The only thing is: the cover is April Grace laughing, and the description implies she finds everything funny that happens. She doesn't really do that. If anything, she is pretty pessimistic in the beginning. Still enjoyable to read, but the description was off.
One thing I did love love love from this book was when her parents and everyone FINALLY listens to her. For me personally, I can struggle with feeling like I'm not being heard. I often make the declaration that my family's lives. would be so much easier if they just listened to me. Hmmm.... maybe I'll make my dad read this book!!
I liked this book a lot! The characters were so unique and well-written. Some characters I just wanted to hug, and some characters I wanted to punch in the face *cough Mr Rance cough*. The only thing is: the cover is April Grace laughing, and the description implies she finds everything funny that happens. She doesn't really do that. If anything, she is pretty pessimistic in the beginning. Still enjoyable to read, but the description was off.
One thing I did love love love from this book was when her parents and everyone FINALLY listens to her. For me personally, I can struggle with feeling like I'm not being heard. I often make the declaration that my family's lives. would be so much easier if they just listened to me. Hmmm.... maybe I'll make my dad read this book!!
January 13, 2013
http://shesgotbooksonhermind.blogspot...
I've been wanting this book for ages. It's one of the rare books that I buy and I'm so happy I don't have any regrets. This is a christian fiction book. I have not read one in a while. I've only read two in total so that's not saying much. Now before you stop reading because you read "christian fiction" let me just say that it's not that bad. There's only like one moment where if you weren't really religious and don't like to read about the stuff that you might not like. Other than that just think of it as a good children's southern read.
April Grace tries to be kind to others like her Mama wants her to be but she can't help not liking her new neighbors. She hasn't had much great experience with new neighbors before. The last time she had a neighbor she met the parents and other family members of this nice girl she hung out with. Then they all started making fun of her right to her face. Ugh. You know when she starts off her story like that you know that her new neighbors are just going to be exactly the same. April Grace is a spunky girl who's always saying funny things whether anyone else agrees. She's very smart and quick witted. She was a pleasure to read about. Her new neighbors on the other hand... The man, Ian, seemed to become a better person but his wife, Isabel, just kept on being her rotten self.
April Grace's mother is a saint. She's always talking about being nice. She goes so far as letting the new neighbors live at their house while they are fixing up their home. Ian is originally pretty rude especially to his wife. They both fight a lot but he gets better as the book progresses. Isabel was a former dancer and she can't stand the country. She really just wants to go home but that's impossible and I wish she'd just get over it. She's this skinny little thing that hardly eats. She's always rude to April Grace's family. I don't know how her mother can stand it. I would have thrown her out when she first criticized my cooking. You are a guest at someone else's home. Act like it.
April Grace's sister, Myra Sue, worships the ground that Isabel walks on. She's just so glamorous... She gets an even bigger attitude when Isabel starts staying over. I couldn't stand both of them together. They needed to be separated as well as her grandmother and her new boyfriend that April Grace knew was no good. She tried telling everyone but would they listen? No. Her mother doesn't like her attitude either. She keeps on talking about being nice but April Grace is realistic and once again because she's just a kid she isn't taken seriously.
April Grace's life is just one crazy drama after another. Her life feels like a soap opera. I love watching soap operas so it's a good fit for me. I really want to read more of her. I want to read what happens next. The ending was amazing and I want to read how the author tops this book. I haven't read many southern family books. This was a real treat. It gets serious towards the end and I like that. It was a fun read but it deals with real life situations. I think a lot of girl's will like reading about April Grace like I did. It's a family values type of book but with April Grace it feels like a book that's perfect for anyone.
I've been wanting this book for ages. It's one of the rare books that I buy and I'm so happy I don't have any regrets. This is a christian fiction book. I have not read one in a while. I've only read two in total so that's not saying much. Now before you stop reading because you read "christian fiction" let me just say that it's not that bad. There's only like one moment where if you weren't really religious and don't like to read about the stuff that you might not like. Other than that just think of it as a good children's southern read.
April Grace tries to be kind to others like her Mama wants her to be but she can't help not liking her new neighbors. She hasn't had much great experience with new neighbors before. The last time she had a neighbor she met the parents and other family members of this nice girl she hung out with. Then they all started making fun of her right to her face. Ugh. You know when she starts off her story like that you know that her new neighbors are just going to be exactly the same. April Grace is a spunky girl who's always saying funny things whether anyone else agrees. She's very smart and quick witted. She was a pleasure to read about. Her new neighbors on the other hand... The man, Ian, seemed to become a better person but his wife, Isabel, just kept on being her rotten self.
April Grace's mother is a saint. She's always talking about being nice. She goes so far as letting the new neighbors live at their house while they are fixing up their home. Ian is originally pretty rude especially to his wife. They both fight a lot but he gets better as the book progresses. Isabel was a former dancer and she can't stand the country. She really just wants to go home but that's impossible and I wish she'd just get over it. She's this skinny little thing that hardly eats. She's always rude to April Grace's family. I don't know how her mother can stand it. I would have thrown her out when she first criticized my cooking. You are a guest at someone else's home. Act like it.
April Grace's sister, Myra Sue, worships the ground that Isabel walks on. She's just so glamorous... She gets an even bigger attitude when Isabel starts staying over. I couldn't stand both of them together. They needed to be separated as well as her grandmother and her new boyfriend that April Grace knew was no good. She tried telling everyone but would they listen? No. Her mother doesn't like her attitude either. She keeps on talking about being nice but April Grace is realistic and once again because she's just a kid she isn't taken seriously.
April Grace's life is just one crazy drama after another. Her life feels like a soap opera. I love watching soap operas so it's a good fit for me. I really want to read more of her. I want to read what happens next. The ending was amazing and I want to read how the author tops this book. I haven't read many southern family books. This was a real treat. It gets serious towards the end and I like that. It was a fun read but it deals with real life situations. I think a lot of girl's will like reading about April Grace like I did. It's a family values type of book but with April Grace it feels like a book that's perfect for anyone.
February 24, 2017
It was okay, I just don't see myself reading again any time in the future, or ever again. Thank you, Mama for getting it for me regardless!!
May 15, 2017
April Grace is an 11-year-old girl who lives on Rough Creek Road. When new neighbors, Ian and Isabel St. James, move all the way from California, her world gets tipped on it's head! The new neighbors bought a broken down, old wreck of a house because of financial issues, and being the nice people they are, April's parents let them move in to their home until they could get it fixed up. On top of this her sister absolutely idolizes Isabel St. James , even though April Grace thinks she's a preppy snob. By idolize, I mean her sister Myra sue basically worships the ground she walks on! During all of this commotion, April's grandmother starts dating a man that April isn't sure is trustworthy, and they get engaged! The interesting part is how April deals with it all at once! The book is overall very good, it just takes a bit for the story to pick up. In the beginning, it seemed very slow, and even though the chapters are only a few pages long, it takes longer then you would expect to read them. April Grace goes to school, and reads many books, so she knows correct grammar and how to use it, but throughout the entire book, she uses incorrect grammar and slang that I couldn't understand at first. It goes along with the theme of the book, it was just a bit harder to read at first. I would recommend this book to teenage girls because it is very relatable and has an interesting storyline.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 30, 2012
3.5 stars. Fun Southern narration. Humorous and quotable. Enjoyable fast read.
August 3, 2022
About: If God wanted April Grace to be kind to her neighbors, He should have made them nicer!
Growing up in the country is never easy, but it sure is funny―especially if you happen to have a sister obsessed with being glamorous, a grandma just discovering make-up, hippie friends who never shower, and brand new neighbors from the city who test everyone’s patience. From disastrous dye jobs to forced apologies and elderly date tagalongs, you’ll laugh ‘til you cry as you read the Confessions of April Grace!
Here are just a couple of April's thoughts: On her sister, Myra Sue: "How anyone can be that dumb and still be able to eat with a fork is beyond me." On senior citizen lovebirds: "What if they started smooching right at the table in front of God and everybody?"
In spite of all the loony characters in her life, April Grace is able to learn from her parents as they share the love of God―to even the craziest of characters!
Genre: comedy, light romance, Christian-fiction
Gender: girls
4.5/5 stars
TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT: some rude and inappropriate name-calling, character being concerned about weight and wanting to be "skinny", mentions of smoking, mentions of swearing (no cuss words are actually used), mentions of heavy kissing, mentions of a guy having a bunch of wives
Ages 11-14
"In Front of God and Everyone is the account of life in the country by April Grace, a spunky, bold, and amusing 11 year old. With detailed descriptions, witty humor, and April's unmistakable love for her family and Jesus, this was a fun diary-type read. I loved all the different characters in the tale that brought an interesting flare and provided a glance at life from diverse perspectives. April's judgmental tone and fast tongue kept it alive, busy, and entertaining. April's thoughts and outlooks on her life are understandable and inspiring when she learns lessons in the end too. While this book is lively and humorous, it also has a lot of "grown-up" content that readers need to be aware of. Older teens may find some of April's sayings especially funny, maybe more than younger girls. Overall, I really enjoyed this light-hearted, hilarious, and captivating tale. April Grace's spirited, critical character will always hold a special place in my heart, as well as this sweet book."
Growing up in the country is never easy, but it sure is funny―especially if you happen to have a sister obsessed with being glamorous, a grandma just discovering make-up, hippie friends who never shower, and brand new neighbors from the city who test everyone’s patience. From disastrous dye jobs to forced apologies and elderly date tagalongs, you’ll laugh ‘til you cry as you read the Confessions of April Grace!
Here are just a couple of April's thoughts: On her sister, Myra Sue: "How anyone can be that dumb and still be able to eat with a fork is beyond me." On senior citizen lovebirds: "What if they started smooching right at the table in front of God and everybody?"
In spite of all the loony characters in her life, April Grace is able to learn from her parents as they share the love of God―to even the craziest of characters!
Genre: comedy, light romance, Christian-fiction
Gender: girls
4.5/5 stars
TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT: some rude and inappropriate name-calling, character being concerned about weight and wanting to be "skinny", mentions of smoking, mentions of swearing (no cuss words are actually used), mentions of heavy kissing, mentions of a guy having a bunch of wives
Ages 11-14
"In Front of God and Everyone is the account of life in the country by April Grace, a spunky, bold, and amusing 11 year old. With detailed descriptions, witty humor, and April's unmistakable love for her family and Jesus, this was a fun diary-type read. I loved all the different characters in the tale that brought an interesting flare and provided a glance at life from diverse perspectives. April's judgmental tone and fast tongue kept it alive, busy, and entertaining. April's thoughts and outlooks on her life are understandable and inspiring when she learns lessons in the end too. While this book is lively and humorous, it also has a lot of "grown-up" content that readers need to be aware of. Older teens may find some of April's sayings especially funny, maybe more than younger girls. Overall, I really enjoyed this light-hearted, hilarious, and captivating tale. April Grace's spirited, critical character will always hold a special place in my heart, as well as this sweet book."
June 16, 2025
Boy, oh boy, was this fun!
First, I enjoyed it took place in the Arkansas country instead of New York City, Chicago, London, Beijing, or one of many Californian cities. Don't get me wrong; I love the city, but those already serve as the location for hundreds of books and movies. Better yet, some of my friends are from Arkansas, and while some stereotypes (e.g., accents and good cooking) are correct, others (e.g., lack of education and manners) are incorrect and drive me nuts for their sake. Hence, it was nice to see Arkansas through normal, not hillbilly or redneck, lens here.
Second, I loved April Grace. It was impossible not to. She could be rather smart aleck and bratty at times, and a liar at others. Chances are, you'll remember yourself at her age as you read the novel, or she'll remind you of someone you know, especially if you're a mom, older sibling, or babysitter! If you're worried she'll be a bad example for a young reader you have in mind, though, don't be concerned--there's a character arc and character growth.
Third, I thought this would be slow but fun--after all, it's Confessions, not Adventures. However, a couple of subplots got rather exciting and full of twists!
I have so many books, particularly lengthy classics, I want to read, so I don't know if I'll read the next book in the series. However, if I'm craving something easy to follow, full of humor, Christian but not preach-y, and with a happy ending, I will come back!
First, I enjoyed it took place in the Arkansas country instead of New York City, Chicago, London, Beijing, or one of many Californian cities. Don't get me wrong; I love the city, but those already serve as the location for hundreds of books and movies. Better yet, some of my friends are from Arkansas, and while some stereotypes (e.g., accents and good cooking) are correct, others (e.g., lack of education and manners) are incorrect and drive me nuts for their sake. Hence, it was nice to see Arkansas through normal, not hillbilly or redneck, lens here.
Second, I loved April Grace. It was impossible not to. She could be rather smart aleck and bratty at times, and a liar at others. Chances are, you'll remember yourself at her age as you read the novel, or she'll remind you of someone you know, especially if you're a mom, older sibling, or babysitter! If you're worried she'll be a bad example for a young reader you have in mind, though, don't be concerned--there's a character arc and character growth.
Third, I thought this would be slow but fun--after all, it's Confessions, not Adventures. However, a couple of subplots got rather exciting and full of twists!
I have so many books, particularly lengthy classics, I want to read, so I don't know if I'll read the next book in the series. However, if I'm craving something easy to follow, full of humor, Christian but not preach-y, and with a happy ending, I will come back!
May 17, 2024
April Grace is more than a hoot and a half. I absolutely love her! I giggled and smiled and mentally hugged this adorable little book from cover to cover. Probably the happiest time I've had reading all year -- even saying the title makes me laugh, imagining it in her inflection. I think the last time I was this enchanted by a 5th grader was Ivy Blake, and in this book I love the girl's whole family too. I'm thrilled to learn it's a series, less thrilled that my library doesn't have any of them, so alas, it will be a while before I can continue.
Read
March 1, 2020A Hallmarkian story where the good honest hard-working Reilly family shows love and compassion to a couple of city slickers who have involuntarily relocated to rural Arkansas.
The author doesn't pretend that everyone living there gets along with everyone else, or that anyone (other thsn the parents) are ideal Christians, but seems to go out her way to show outsiders as rude and condescending.
There's not much objectionable to this bit of Christian fiction, but it was a little too sweet for my taste.
The author doesn't pretend that everyone living there gets along with everyone else, or that anyone (other thsn the parents) are ideal Christians, but seems to go out her way to show outsiders as rude and condescending.
There's not much objectionable to this bit of Christian fiction, but it was a little too sweet for my taste.
April 16, 2020
In Front of God and Everybody is a hilarious story following April Grace, a relatable country girl put in a true series of unfortunate events. Between filthy hippie friends, her sister being obsessed with the new city folk who just moved in and them having to live in April Grace's home, and no one believing her when she claims that grandma's boyfriend is acting a bit too suspicious, life gets pretty crazy.
May 10, 2020
(this book was not written for me this book was not written for me this book was not written for me this book was not written for me)
this was not BAD per se but i did not like it but also i recognize that it’s written for 11 year olds that will probably like it!! the jokes and characters were absolutely ridiculous and some of the themes were .... iffy (parents forced kid to apologize for being a lil rude to INCREDIBLY mean neighbors) but the story was cute! i guess!
this was not BAD per se but i did not like it but also i recognize that it’s written for 11 year olds that will probably like it!! the jokes and characters were absolutely ridiculous and some of the themes were .... iffy (parents forced kid to apologize for being a lil rude to INCREDIBLY mean neighbors) but the story was cute! i guess!
August 12, 2018
What a fun and adorable read! With humor and angst and all the things that make a fun children's book. The lessons are spot on, even a few years later. It's always good to see new children's fiction in the Christian genres! For all readers
Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review.
Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review.
April 20, 2023
I loved this book. This is the first book that I really enjoyed. I like the family drama but the nice and loving character they showed to others. This book was funny and it flowed really well. I also liked the part where April Grace, the youngest, always had a suspicion that her sister was up to no good. I believe she was kinda right.
July 23, 2024
This book (series) is so so good! While it's not a super quick read, it was so enjoyable I read it in a day. I love the humor, the wit, the dynamic characters, the vivid descriptions, and the way it teaches valuable life lessons and truths about God through examples, and without being too preachy. Highly recommend! So good!
January 3, 2025
When this book was recommended to me, I was honestly hesitant about reading it. However, I'm so glad I did read it because this has to be one of the funniest books I've ever read. April Grace just gets life and I felt like I was right there with her in all of her moments and complaints! This is a must-read for any age of reader!!!!!
January 16, 2018
This was such a fun book! I loved that it took place in the Ozarks and I loved that April Grace told it like it was. The characters were wonderfully made and the story had a good mix of humor and seriousness.
May 3, 2020
This book is lighthearted and fun, with some fantastic messages hidden inside. Perfect for girls aged 12-14 in that transition phase, where the kids books are not enough anymore but the teen books are too much!
July 4, 2024
This was a super cute and fun story! The beginning was a lot of fun and I LOVED the ending (seriously, that got me so hard 🥹) but the middle was kind of slow. Overall though a great read and very enjoyable!! 🥰
September 29, 2018
This was a wonderful book about a girl named April Grace. Who with the help of her grandmother, a couple strangers, her parents, and her sister finds a way to see the best in everyone.
March 16, 2019
This was a fun read. I'm already searching for a copy of #2 (inter-library loan here I come!).
July 27, 2019
DNF
I was really hoping This would be a 5 star book but it didn't hold my attention. I read 90 pages and I just couldn't do it anymore.
I was really hoping This would be a 5 star book but it didn't hold my attention. I read 90 pages and I just couldn't do it anymore.
July 28, 2019
Really cute!
November 12, 2019
This was such an awesome book! Blew my mind how funny a book could be!
November 19, 2019
Literally read this 10 years ago and still love it. Gonna let my sister read this now (she's the age I was when I read it)😄
February 14, 2020
I love this book! Great detail to the characters and definitely will recommend it to ANYONE! Now I want some ice cream lol 😂 -Natalie Jo.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 5, 2022
I love April Grace so much! She’s snarky and funny in the best ways possible!!
This is just a feel good middle grade series and I think it’s a series I’ll reread often!
This is just a feel good middle grade series and I think it’s a series I’ll reread often!
October 31, 2023
Cute. I enjoy Southern stories. I did notice this one had a lot of metaphors. ____ like a ____.
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