Grace's Turn [Paperback]

Christy Carlson Romano (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 11 and up | Grade Level: 6 and up

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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-9–Entering their junior year, Grace di Giovanni and her best friend, Emily, are determined to break into the school's A-list. Things start looking up when the star quarterback, Hunter Wells, takes Grace out on a date, and then she beats her rival to win the lead in the school's production of Grease. Her success leads to an audition and a place in a real Broadway show, but it causes problems with her relationships. Hunter is jealous about the time she spends on her own activities, and Emily feels that Grace is ignoring her for Hunter. Grace's brother dislikes him because he's a jock, and when she sneaks out to a party, her parents also turn against him. The family interactions are portrayed with affectionate humor, and they are realistic, as are the audition scenes. This debut novel sometimes uses too much telling over showing, and problems may be resolved too quickly in the happy ending, but this is a wholesome and enjoyable selection.–Debbie Stewart Hoskins, Grand Rapids Public Library, MI
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About the Author

Christy Carlson Romano is the voice of Kim onKim Possible,and starred as Belle inBroadway's Beauty and the Beast.Ms. Romano has starred in two Emmy-nominated television series. She has studied ballet at the School of American Ballet and is a graduate of The Professional Children's School, both in New York City. Christy Carlson Romano is from Milford, Connecticut. She currently resides in California.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 11 and up
  
• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion (September 2, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786848847
• ISBN-13: 978-0786848843
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,425,521 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You'll Root For Grace!!, September 6, 2006

By 

DeLinda "Gypsy Deeva" (Las Vegas, NV United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Grace's Turn (Paperback)

This book is great because it really pulls you into the character's mind and emotions. Grace is like the rest of us - just a normal girl that wants to be a STAR! The difference is that Grace actually has the talent to back it up, lol - and being able to experience her trials and tribulations almost first hand teaches us all that it's not ONLY the talent that gets you where you want to go. You have to have the drive, determination, and confidence in yourself as well. I would like to find out what happens to Grace next.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Taking Her Turn, March 24, 2007

By 

Little Willow (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Grace's Turn (Paperback)

Grace di Giovanni and her best friend Emily decide to make the most of their junior year of high school. Grace, a hopeful singer and actress, would love to get a big part in the school musical. Last year, her nerves got the better of her at the audition, and she felt lucky to have made it into the chorus. Emily is in drama too, but she hopes to make it onto the newspaper staff as a photographer and rub elbows with the popular kids in the meantime.

Grace's dreams are different from those of her older siblings, twins Tom and Sonia, who are seniors at opposite ends of the achievement scale. Her parents are somewhat supportive of Grace's efforts, but hesistant to let her pursue her performing on a professional level.

Before she knows it, Grace has earned a fantastic role and started dating a star athlete - but things still aren't right. She can feel Emily drifting away, and she wishes her family and her boyfriend, Hunter, would show her that they truly believed in her.

When Grace realizes that she must believe in herself first and foremost, she shines. Christy Carlson Romano has written a book which encourages self-confidence and the pursuit of dreams. It is also a clean read, appropriate for the youthful audience that the author watched grow up on stage and on The Disney Channel. Brava, Miss Romano.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Courtesy of Teens Read Too, November 29, 2006

By 

TeensReadToo "Eat. Drink. Read. Be Merrier." (All Over the US & Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Grace's Turn (Paperback)

Grace's dream is to become an actress. Her parents, her brother and sister, her best friend, and her new boyfriend seem determined to discourage her.

After a successful experience at a summer drama camp, Grace sets her mind to changing her image. She plans to make her junior year one to remember. She plans to get a serious boyfriend for the first time, and along comes Hunter, one of the most popular boys in school. Her next plan involves trying out for the school play. Again, success--she lands the lead role in "Grease."

It seems that Grace's dreams are coming true. However, with success comes challenge. There is a rocky relationship with her parents. Her best friend appears to be unable to cope with Grace's success. Tom and Sonia, Grace's older siblings, bring their own problems into the picture. Will these obstacles derail Grace's newfound fame and happiness?

Christy Romano, a name many teen girls will recognize for her own acting successes, creates a story that is sure to grab tweens and teens with stardust in their eyes.

Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"