Amazing Grace

VOYA

Toward the end of this novel, a character asks, "Who in their right mind wouldn't want to be famous?" The answer is Grace "Ace" Kincaid, fourteen-year-old tennis phenom and magazine cover girl. Moments before beginning play in the U.S. Open, Grace phones her mother and utters three words: "I want out." Having anticipated this moment, her mother immediately implements plans to change Grace's name and appearance and whisk her to Alaska under the supervision of former FBI agent Ava Grady. In a tiny island community, Grace lives in Ava's primitive cabin and attends public school. She learns how easy it is to make mistakes (getting drunk at a party), how to ask for help (seeing a therapist), how to nurture friendships, and how it feels to fall in love (with Teague Denali, a sweet Eskimo boy). Ultimately the paparazzi find her, and she must leave Alaska. But not before her life "has gone from meaningless to meaningful." She will go back to tennis but not to modeling and endorsing products. This book explores celebrity worship and the price that a person pays for surrendering her life to agents and publicists. In Alaska, Grace begins to discover her identity and what she values. The writing style is conversational and highly readable with short sentences (sometimes one word) and paragraphs (sometimes one sentence), and boldfaced text that often indicates the passage of time ("THREE MINUTES LATER") or an event ("THE SECRET"), or evaluation ("PARADISE"). Touching, thoughtful, hip, and fast paced, this book will appeal to most teenagers. VOYA CODES: 4Q 4P J S (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Broad general YA appeal; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined asgrades 10 to 12). 2005, Hyperion, 256p., Ages 12 to 18.
—Florence H. Munat

Children's Literature

Ever wonder what it would be like to be famous? Grace Kincade has just the opposite thought—what would it be like to be just an ordinary teenager? The story opens with Grace calling her mother who is in California and expressing her feelings, "Grace "Ace" Kincade, teenage-tennis-sensation-turned cover-girl-spoken model is quitting. Finito—I'm done." Her mother hooks her up with Ava, a retired FBI agent whose job it is to transform Grace into a "normal" teenager. Of course this entails changing her looks with a new hairstyle, getting rid of $500 purses, and learning about life in the real world. The vocabulary choice of the author is very authentic. Sentences such as, "I just puked . . . I laughed so hard I almost peed in my pants . . . " and "I saw his face, well—he's not cute, - he's gorgeous" add believability to the story. Ms. Shull has truly captured the essence of a teenager and takes the reader on a wonderful adventure that is filled with both humor and a touch of sadness. In some places, I actually laughed out loud remembering how true the emotions are that Grace was feeling and that brought back many memories. This is a delightful story and will both entertain and also comfort teenage girls with the knowledge someone else out there has feelings just like theirs. I highly recommend this book and hope it is found in classroom libraries. 2005, Hyperion, Ages 12 up.
—Kathie M. Josephs

KLIATT - Olivia Durant

For 15-year-old Grace "Ace" Kincaid, every day is full of bodyguards, photo opportunities, and constant attention. She hasn't even been to a real school since seventh grade. Life as a tennis superstar eventually becomes too overwhelming, and she finally has a breakdown at the U.S. Open. With her mom's help, she assumes the name Emily O'Brien, disguises her appearance, and flies to the tiny town of Medicine Hat, Alaska, as far from her former identity as she can get. She stays with Ava, a retired FBI agent posing as her aunt. While she is adjusting to her new luxury-free life, she meets a gorgeous boy, Teague, and his cousin, Fisher, and they become fast friends. She settles into a comfortable routine, and finally begins to feel like a normal teenager. No longer a tennis phenom, Grace must figure out whether she ever wants to go back to her former life. When the paparazzi finally discover where she is hiding, she is forced back into the limelight. Readers will cheer for Grace as she evolves into an articulate and determined young woman. The supporting characters are well drawn and likeable, and the loose ends are tied up neatly. Recommend this to middle and high school students who enjoy realistic fiction and romance.

School Library Journal

Gr 7-10-Teenage tennis-star Grace "Ace" Kincaid has the talent and looks that make her a hit both on the court and on Madison Avenue. But she is falling apart, breaking under the tremendous pressure of worldwide fame. She wants OUT. And she gets her wish-a total break from her lifestyle and identity. She becomes "Emily O'Brien," everyday teenager, with nose-ring intact. She is transported to remote Medicine Hat, AK, where she lives with her new guardian, retired FBI-agent Ava Grady, in a rustic cabin, complete with outhouse and freezing-cold showers. At first shocked by her surroundings, Grace comes to love them, as it is here that she experiences a sense of normalcy in her life, including a love interest, solid friendships, and much-needed support from the local therapist. Shull's very short chapters with headings such as "three zillion years later," are catchy, fun, and full of the ever-changing world of adolescent emotions. The novel offers a consistent sense of delight and the feeling that, no matter what, Grace will always come out on top. This is due in large part to her many fairy godmothers along the way, steering her toward a level of comfort with herself, her talents, her feelings, and her desire to live life on her own terms. A Cinderella story for this day and age, indeed.-Tracy Karbel, Glenside Public Library District, Glendale Heights, IL Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

"Grace 'Ace' Kincaid, teenage-tennis-sensation-turned-cover-girl-spokesmodel is quitting." In this Princess Diaries in reverse, 15-year-old, top-ranked women's tennis player, Grace, suddenly leaves behind her entourage (bodyguard, agent, stylist, etc.), hotel luxuries, and, hopefully, the paparazzi; dons a new hair color, nose piercing, and name; and is whisked away to Medicine Hat, Alaska, population 813. Freedom, breathtaking scenery and the gorgeous native, Teague Denali, temper the shock of living with Ava, a retired FBI agent, in her rustic cabin, complete with outhouse and cold water only. Painfully aware of townspeople working two jobs to make ends meet while she has enough money to buy an entire factory, the teen must reconcile her two lives. Narrating her story in a conversational voice, full of wit and resolve, Grace finds friendship, love and even normalcy for the first time. When forced to return to the "real world," she knows she will make it-on her own terms now. A chick-lit Grand Slam. (Fiction. YA)