Amazing Grace

Grace Kincaid is everywhere. She's a high school tennis phenom-- the Tiger Woods of tennis, with endorsement deals, her face on the cover of sports and fashion magazines, clothing and cosmetic lines, a trainload of championship trophies, and she's absolutely sick of it all. With the help of her mom and her aghast agent, Grace gives it all up and disappears to a tiny Alaskan village where she tries to have the life of a 'normal' high school kid. I found the book absolutely charming and entirely likeable, perhaps because I completely relate to the want to get away to a place where nobody knows your name or face (even though I'm absolutely no one of consequence). This was a Missouri 2007/08 Gateway Reader nominee, and it was my favorite of show more the 15 nominated books. I recommend this book frequently to students, although reviews from students have been mixed (but mostly positive). I also will note that just yesterday we received a package from the author, Megan Shull, with a wonderful note and two autographed copies of the book. My library hosts a statewide book blog, and Shull sent a note of thanks. I already liked the book-- and now I'm very impressed with the author, as well! show less

Grace is hidden away on a small island in Alaska, given a new name and is really roughing it – the cabin she lives in has no indoor plumbing and no hot water… Very sparsely written, it’s almost like poetry. The book is written like a diary, and seems to really capture the hesitancy Grace feels in trying to be normal again, and how thoroughly she tries to embrace it. Although the ‘affirmations’ she’s told to take to heart by the island’s therapist (“release sadness and let love in”) are incredibly irritating and gagworthy, it’s nice to see Grace take hold of her own life and find confidence.

Kearsten says: Grace is hidden away on a small island in Alaska, given a new name and is really roughing it – the cabin she lives in has no indoor plumbing and no hot water… Very sparsely written, it’s almost like poetry. The book is written like a diary, and seems to really capture the hesitancy Grace feels in trying to be normal again, and how thoroughly she tries to embrace it. Although the ‘affirmations’ she’s told to take to heart by the island’s therapist (“release sadness and let love in”) are incredibly irritating and gagworthy, it’s nice to see Grace take hold of her own life and find confidence.

Grace is not your normal teen. At 14, she became a pro tennis player. Now, at 16, she’s won countless tennis competitions, including Wimbledon, she’s a cover girl, and she just doesn’t want to do it all anymore. After an emergency phone call made to her mother from the boiler room, Grace’s mom takes control of the situation … and sends Grace to Alaska to hide her from paparazzi until Grace has things figured out.

Ah, typical young adult books that have not too much depth, and are extremely predictable, but that have this pull that makes you not able to put it down until you are finished. Ah, light fluffy reading that I need every once in a while to take a break from the other heavier books I have on the go. How much I need show more books like you once in a while, but only once in a while because I fear that if I were to read you more than that, then my brain might turn to mush.

So yes. Good. Predictable. But cute. show less

Sixteen year old tennis pro Grace "Ace" Kincaid has it all. She gets gifts from famous designers, she has a future as a model, and she has her own cosmetics line. She has a lawyer, a bodyguard, a coach, an agent, a nutritionist, a makeup artist, and even a personal assistant hovering nearby. What she wants, however, is to be normal; to be able to eat what she wants, to hang out with friends, and to date.
In order to get that, she resigns the day before the US Open and makes some drastic changes as a disguise. She ditches her designer clothes, throws away her cell phone, chops off her long, blond hair and dyes it red. Her mother, lawyer and a former FBI agent manage to help her escape, undetected, to a cabin on a tiny Alaskan island show more where she is known as Emily O'Brien.
During a bike trip into town, Emily encounters a moose and catapults over the handlebars, and is rescued by Teague, an attractive young man. None of the townsfolk know Emily’s true identity. Emily learns the essentials to survive in Alaska; how to split wood, dress in layers, and drive a snowmobile. A romance develops between Emily and Teague.
One day, while reading a magazine, Emily finds out that a huge reward is being offered for the first photo of Grace in hiding. This means the press will soon be all over the island, and the truth will be out. Emily/Grace has to decide what she's going to do about the impending publicity. show less

In Amazing Grace, we meet a tennis sensation named Grace. She is only fifteen but already on top of the world with her tennis game and the endorsements that have come along with it. When she decides she wants to give up tennis to experience the life of a normal fifteen year old girl, she takes off for Alaska to live with her mom's friend. In Alaska she meets great friends that help Grace discover and love who she is. I really enjoyed reading this book. It is written from Grace's perspective and her honesty had me laughing. Her true thoughts helped me really get into the book. I would recommend this for adolescent teen girls. It's an just an easy and enjoyable read.

Grace "Ace" Kincaid has it all- tennis superstar status, fame, model good-looks, a cosmetics line- until she utters the three words to end it all. Overnight she is whisked off to Medicine Hat, Alaska, population 813. With the help of her ex-FBI guardian, a wise therapist, kooky new friend, and a super-cute boy, Grace learns who she is....and who she wants to be.

This book was very good and sweet! Fun, simple read. The style was great- a cross between a diary and a conversation with a friend. Fun, quirky characters. All around enjoyable read.