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Juvenile Fiction. Juvenile Literature. HTML: The last thing April Grace wants is more change in her life-but that's exactly what she gets! Plus, April has a new mystery to solve when Myra Sue starts sneaking around and acting very suspicious! From snooty new neighbors to starting junior high to getting a new baby brother to having hergrandmother get a boyfriend, April Grace has had enough change to last until she is at least 87 years old. But when it rains, it pours, and April Grace is in for the ride of her life when her prissy, citified neighbor Isabel becomes her gym teacher and a long-lost relative suddenly reappears and throws everything into a tizzy. On top of that, April's sister, Myra Sue, has been hiding something and sneaking around. April needs to find out what is going on before her silly sister gets herself into trouble again. More important, will April find the grace she needs to handle her topsy-turvy life and forgive past wrongs? Girls will fall in love with April's humor and completely relate to her as she deals with family, friends, drama, and both the humor and the heartache that are part of growing up..… (more)
User reviews
This is what I call a VOICE book. You know those books where you feel like you can clearly hear the character's voice in your head as you read.
I love April Grace. She's a strong, well developed character who grows throughout the story. She is confident but willing to admit when she's wrong. I love her relationship with all the members of her family. Even though she has little or no patience with her snotty older sister, Myra Sue, you can tell that deep down she really cares for her. She's even willing (after some struggling) to learn to love this new trouble causing long lost relative. All of her antics provide for an enjoyable read.
I especially liked that this story takes place during the late 80s when children were not so "plugged in." It was refreshing to see young people interact without benefit of cell phones and social media.
Another positive is April Grace's spiritual side. It's not an overwhelming aspect of the book, but April Grace does frequently stop to consider her actions/thoughts and pray about them. April Grace is not perfect, but she does try to be good. This is a book I can add to my Young Christian Fiction reading list.
I enjoyed this book so much, I've already requested the first two books In Front of God and Everybody and Cliques, Hicks and Ugly Sticks. I also plan to order these books for the school library. Readers who enjoyed Heather Frederick's The Mother Daughter Book Club series will certainly want to check out this series
Loaded with pop culture references from the 80’s, and limited in technology in the pre-Google days, it’s sure to bring up questions between parents and children about the “old days”.
While I appreciated April’s honesty, and her inability to control her curiosity, the endless battles and negative words in reference to her sister were wearing. Not having any siblings, so having no personal experience in those battles, I assume that the words and names are more a childhood lashing out in anger than a true consistent feeling: although there never seemed to be an adult who addressed the issue. A book that would most likely appeal to 10 – 12 year olds, this would be a good escape for an afternoon.
I received an eBook copy from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review, and all conclusions are my own responsibility.
I did not get to read the first two books in this
I love how she snoops around trying to be the little detective to find out everything that is going on in her household. April Grace is very blunt, with her witty and straightforward humorous perspective on life. This is set in the 70’s and April Grace goes through many changes and struggles that young girl’s today face, she reminded me so much of myself at that age. You will fall in love with April Grace, and many of all ages will find themselves relating to her.
I did not get to read the first two books in this
I love how she snoops around trying to be the little detective to find out everything that is going on in her household. April Grace is very blunt, with her witty and straightforward humorous perspective on life. This is set in the 70’s and April Grace goes through many changes and struggles that young girl’s today face, she reminded me so much of myself at that age. You will fall in love with April Grace, and many of all ages will find themselves relating to her.