Review: Grace is introduced as this is the first book in the series. In this book she concocts a plan to cheer up her next door neighbor Mrs. Luther. Mrs. Luther has a cat named Crinkles whom comes to visit Augustine Dupre often whom lives in Grace's basement. Grace decides to make and mail postcards that are from Crinkles to Mrs. Luther. Grace accidentally locks Crinkles in Mrs. Dupre's living quarters. Sammy stringer has been visiting Mrs. Luther, but took something of hers for show and tell without asking first. Mrs. Luther thinks the postcards are from him and they are ransom letters, Grace fesses up about her being the one sending the letters. Grace and Sammy team up to find Crinkles, which they do and he is returned to Mrs. Luther. Comments: The book is written in a way that young girls would enjoy. The illustrations throughout the book enhance the story and will help keep the reader interested. The book is full of humor meant for children, but I found most of the humor funny and entertaining also. ( )

Summary: Grace, also known as "just Grace" because there are three other girls named grace in her class, comes up with an idea to cheer up her neighbor.Her neighbors name is Mrs. Luther, and she has a sweet little cat named crinkle. Ever since she broke her leg, crinkle has been acting funny around her. Grace makes a photo-cardboard standup of Crinkle and takes pictures of it around town which she then makes into postcards to send to Mrs Luther from the cat. But her postcard mailings coincide with the disappearance of Crinkle and Mrs. Luther thinks the cat has been kidnapped by Grace’s classmate Sammy. Grace does not like sammy even a little bit. Grace has to admit to the project and then must pair up with Sammy to help find Crinkle.

Personal Reaction: I thought this was a fun read! It was light-hearted and easy to be drawn into. I think children who are just really starting to enjoy reading would be really excited to read this book.

Classroom extension:
1. I would have the kids write an alternate ending to the story. To use their imagination and tell their own version!
2. I would do an art project. I would have each of the kids bring a picture of their pet from home, then provide cardboard. They would trace the picture with cardboard and then glue the picture to the cardboard cut out!

First there was Ramona Quimby. Then Clementine, and now, while we're wishing for more installments about them, we have Grace Stewart - the 4th Grace in her classroom, and so called Just Grace. She's implausibly precocious, good, and wise, awfully good at drawing comics, and not too sure how she feels about boys and boy things (like drawing comics about heroes with special powers).

She's not quite as charming, imo, nor do I empathize with her parents quite so much, as I do the first two characters mentioned, but I will be looking at my library for more from the series. After all, I did laugh out loud, and share some sweet bits, with my family while I was reading. ( )

Inspired by her favorite show “Unlikely Heroes,” Grace (or “Just Grace,” her name in class because there are 3 other girls named Grace) comes up with an idea to cheer up her neighbor Mrs. Luther. Since Mrs. Luther broke her leg, her cat Crinkles has been gun-shy about the woman’s orange cast. Grace makes a photo-cardboard standup of Crinkle and takes pictures of it around town which she then makes into postcards to send to Mrs Luther from the cat. But her postcard mailings coincide with the disappearance of Crinkle and Mrs. Luther thinks the cat has been kidnapped by Grace’s classmate Sammy, a boy Grace can’t stand. Grace must ‘fess up to the project and she and Sammy work together to find Crinkle. Cheery, upbeat and funny.

Cute story for middle graders. Great illustrations and plot. Loved the characters ( )