Ally Pastore

Ally Pastore
February 14, 2013
Block: B
Amazing Grace
Megan Shull
Realistic Fiction
Just Right
Just Finished

1.  I just finished reading Amazing Grace, by Megan Shull.  This book is about a teen tennis superstar, Grace Kincaid, who realizes that this dream has not been about tennis anymore, and more about interviews and modeling.  At what seemed to be the climax of her career, she calls her mother in the middle of the night uttering 3 words: I want out.  Just 2 days later, she has a complete makeover, a new identity and has moved to the rugged, in-the-middle-of-nowhere town Mediciane Hat, Alaska -population 813- with her Aunt Ava.  There she meets her new best friend Fisher and one incredibly cute boy, Teague.  The book ends when Grace gets the news that reporters have located her and were going to be flying out as soon as possible to uncover the story of her absence.

2.  I loved this book!  It took me so long to just put the book down! I thought it was very interesting how Megan Shull introduced the new characters and how they acted towards each other.  One of my favorite things in this book was how the author tied up all the loose ends and answered all the questions I had throughout the book at the end.  The author kept me interested because I constantly had questions that kept me reading and I could never predict what was going to happen next.

3. I think a big theme that is shown throughout the book is sacrifice.  I think sacrifice has been a major theme since the beginning of the book.  It is first shown when Grace gives up her tennis career to be a "normal American teenager".  Although she was the one who wanted to give it up, it takes a while for her to process and get used to the feel (and look) of her new life.  She also sacrifices her mother.  I thought it was sad how in the beginning of the book, she had to leave her mother to move in with someone she has never met.  

4. My favorite character was Fisher.  Fisher is a bright, cheerful, optimistic girl that is about Grace's age.  I loved watching how they became best friends throughout the story.  Fisher is my favorite character because she was Grace's friend from the very beginning.  She was the one who showed her all the hot spots around the small island and everything she needed to know in order to adapt to the new environment.  Even though she didn't know Grace's big secret, it seemed like they knew everything about each other and have been friends for a long time.  I loved reading and learning more about her character.

5. I loved all the characters, but if I had to pick my least favorite, it would be Grace's mother.  I felt that even though her mom was understanding to her wanting to quit her career, I think that it would have been best if she went with her.  If I were Grace, the only thing I would want would be to be away from the chaos and with someone that she knew.  Don't get me wrong, I love Ava, but I still think it would have been best if her mother had went.

6.  Personally, the end of this book was my favorite part.  Like I said before, Megan Shull brings everything together at the end and it all makes so much sense now!  Grace has to go home, which is sad, but don't worry, she keeps in touch..especially with Teague! The reporters find Grace in Alaska, but she does tells them that she will be continuing her tennis career but this time with no strings attached.  Also, Grace puts a lot of money towards Medicine Hat and sends Fisher and her family for a wonderful vacation in California.  And for herself, well she is going to stay in Medicine Hat and hike some mountains...with a very cute boy as her tour guide!