Description
I don't know about love. I suspect the emotion that others apparently feel all the time is just . . . absent from me. Like there's an ingredient missing from the recipe. The possible exception is Gran.
Grace cares about only two things: performing magic and her cantankerous gran. Gran shares her prickly personality and spiky sense of humour, and she's the only one Grace lets into her tightly locked heart - until she meets Simon, an older student who promises to help her turn her magic tricks into a small business and social media stardom.
When Gran is diagnosed with a terminal illness, Grace moves in to become her primary carer. With the help of Simon and some sleight of hand, Grace is determined to bring joy back into their lives. And when she confronts her worst fear, she realises maybe her heart doesn't need to stay locked away after all.
A funny, compelling and fresh story from the author of the bestselling books My Life As An Alphabet and A Song Only I Can Hear.
Review
Grace doesn’t really get along with most people, but her Gran is a different story. Gran has a wicked sense of humour, and no filter, and she understands Grace implicitly. The only other thing Grace cares about are her magic tricks, a real talent of hers.
Simon is an older student at her school. When he offers to help Grace turn her magic into a small business, and to promote her on social media, she not so sure that it’s a good idea but agrees to give it a go. After performing at a children's birthday party, Grace’s magic is a hit!
Then Gran is diagnosed with terminal cancer and Grace moves in to care for her. Can Grace bring some magic into Gran’s life? And can she cope with looking after her Gran?
This is a wonderful and thought provoking story of family, friendship and facing the fact that your beloved Gran is dying.
In his usual brilliant way, Barry Jonsberg tackles this topic with laughter and sensitivity and incredibly relatable characters. A perfect story for those in Year 8 and up, this is sure to be a hit for many years to come.
Reviewed by Michelle
