Amazing Gracie [Mass Market Paperback]

A.E. Cannon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 1993

Fifteen-year-old Grace must deal with her mother's depression, sharing a room with her new five-year-old stepbrother, trying to hold the family together, and her first boyfriend. Reprint. VY. SLJ.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Ever since Gracie was seven and her mother's severe depression caused her to go to the state hospital, it seems the girl's chief function is to keep her mother from being sad. So Gracie should be delighted that her mother is going to marry Pete, but he often seems extremely irresponsible. When Pete moves Gracie, her mother and his own obnoxious son Sinjin from their hometown to Salt Lake City, Gracie's mother sinks into unhappiness, and Gracie must watch after Sinjin and be the adult in the family. Despite its lighthearted title, the novel takes a fairly grim look at dysfunctional families, hard responsibility and the solid value of pursuing one's dreams. Cannon writes about weighty concerns for young people, but with a humorlessness that keeps the characters at arm's length. Her strengths here lie in describing Gracie's maturation and in offering a realistic sense of hope even in the face of serious difficulty. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-9-- Gracie looks a lot like her widowed mother, Cynthia, which both pleases and frightens her. Her mother is pretty and fragile , and she suffers from bouts with depression. Since she was quite young, Gracie has cared for her mother and worried that she, too, might become ill. When Cynthia marries Pete, Gracie's life changes. The family moves from a small town to Salt Lake City where Pete tries to start a sales business and Pete's five-year-old son, Sinjian, comes to live with them. The business fails, Cynthia slips back into depression, and Gracie is left to care for the lonely Sinjian as well as cope with her mother and household chores. Growing friendships with two neighborhood boys and an outgoing girl make her life easier but also accentuate the problems she must face at home. Cynthia's suicide attempt finally precipitates actions that help all of the family come to terms with themselves. Gracie is able to appreciate the people around her for their strengths and also comes to recognize her own.. The adolescent characters are well drawn, each reflecting the rudeness, self-mockery, and sensitivity that seem to be part and parcel in young adults. Cannon portrays Gracie and Sinjian's efforts to cope with their parents' problems in a poignant and compelling manner. While the story includes a medical issue and a blended family, it is not a problem novel. Instead, it focuses on the universal desire of every young teen to be thought competent and unique. Readers will empathize with Gracie as she begins to discover herself. --Barbara Chatton, College of Education, University of Wyoming, Laramie
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Laurel Leaf (July 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440215706
• ISBN-13: 978-0440215707
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #929,214 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars *~Amazing Gracie~*, March 31, 2001

By 

Richard Mackenzie "Panjshir Vet" (Silver Spring, MD United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Amazing Gracie (Mass Market Paperback)

This is a good book about a girl named Graci and her problems. Gracie is glad that she lookslike her mom, but she really doesn't want to have her personality or attitude. She doesn't want to have those things because she has depression "episodes." Gracie is not only dealing with her mothers problems, but other teenage issues also. One day her mom announces that she is marrying Pete who is a real dork involved in stocks. Marrying Pete also means thats she is stuck with a 5 yr. old step brother. Not only until the wedding does gracie find out that shes moving to salt lake city utah. In some ways the move is good. She gets her first boyfriend Timo, who really understands her. She finds new friends and getss to see her life through a new view. For her mom and pete the move is a terrible change. Her mom goes through another phase of depression and ends up trying to commit suicide but thankfully fails. Pete's job turns out to be a joke. Its up to Gracie to hold her family together. Can someone her age do all that? Find out by reading ~AMAZING GRACIE~

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Kim's Amazing Review, March 3, 2000

By 

kim (Mannford Oklahoma) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Amazing Gracie (Mass Market Paperback)

Amazing Gracie by A.E. Cannon is an amazing story that deals with how a teenage girl helps her mother deal with very bad depression. Gracie and her mother are a perfect example of a mother/daughter-sister/sister relationship. They look and act alike, they dress alike and sometimes they will finish each other's sentence. Their friends tell them they could even be twins. Then her mom meets a new guy and they get married and they move to a new town. Her mom's husband has also got a son who Gracie will learn to love as her own little brother. Gracie then meets her first boyfriend Tiimo. Then her mom tries to commit suicide and everything goes downhill from there. Gracie must do something to help her mom before there is nothing she can do. I liked this book because I can relate to it. When I was about 13 my mom went through some really bad times. I had to do a lot around the house. This was also a time when my 6year old nephew was living with us so I had to help take care of him also. I hope that people who have suffered from depression will read this book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An amazing book, May 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Amazing Gracie (Mass Market Paperback)

I really enjoyed this book. Gracie must deal with a new stepfamily, a move to Salt Lake City, her mother's depression, and a new boyfriend. These are problems teenagers have to deal with all the time and I liked a book that told of another girl's problems.