School Library Journal Review
Gr 2-4-In this installment, eight-year-old Grace is dealt a "double surprise": her friend Mimi's family adopts a boy instead of a girl as they had expected, and Grace's parents finally say yes to her longtime dream of getting a dog. Readers unfamiliar with adoption will appreciate Grace's humorous, informative primer ("Adopting a new sister is not like shopping in a grocery store"). Harper expertly conveys the emotional ups and downs of welcoming a new family member: Mimi's disappointment at not having a sister mirrors Grace's frustration that her female dog answers only to the name Mr. Scruffers. Harper's humorous black-and-white cartoons suggest Jeff Kinney's "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" (Abrams) and help break up the text into manageable chunks ideal for new chapter-book readers. These simple but charming drawings evoke a typical young girl's notebook or journal doodles, and the accompanying speech bubbles and captions express the spirited heroine's unique perspective. Though Harper has crafted an engaging story, the book's strength lies in its protagonist's strong, distinctive voice. Chapter titles such as "What Happened Next" that are often followed by one-liners like "Craziness!!!" should build readers' confidence. Fans of the series and new readers alike will enjoy Double Surprise. This latest episode is a lighthearted alternative to more serious, instructional books on adoption. A fun, appealing chapter book.-Mahnaz Dar, Convent of the Sacred Heart, New York City (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book Review
Readers of Just Grace and the Terrible Tutu (rev. 1/11) know that Grace's best friend Mimi has been awaiting the arrival of an adopted little sister. In this seventh book in the series, the big day finally arrives, but things don't go as planned, and Mimi is fiercely disappointed. Grace too receives a surprise, but a good one: a dog. Again, thoughtful Grace uses her powers of empathy to save the day, and readers are treated to another entertaining story filled with Grace's insightful, humorous commentary. Harper's abundant illustrations include Grace's own amusing cartoon drawings, charts, and lists; the highlight this time is Grace's "Map of Me" ("head that does not like to wear hats"; "eyes that sometimes see stuff other people don't notice"; "legs that are okay at running"), which will have readers busily mapping themselves while waiting for the next Grace book to arrive. jennifer m. brabander (c) Copyright 2011. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
