Just Grace and the Snack Attack (The Just Grace Series, 5)

Just Grace and the Snack Attack is the 5th book in a continuing series and the first that I have read. It is a book written journal-style with Grace narrating. The book takes place during one school week. Just Grace (there are 2 other girls named Grace in her class) encounters many of the same experiences all kids will encounter in school and in their relationships with friends and families. This is why I suggest you read it with your children. Even though Grace is a girl, I think boys would enjoy this book IF you read it to them. Reading this book to your child will open opportunities for discussions. Some of the topics I noted while reading the book are: what happens when you make fun of someone, eating different food, jealous feelings, white lies, feeling like a bad friend, trouble making at school, gossip, and what happens when you do something dumb. You know your child will run into these things at some point and will only benefit by having already discussed them with you. Read a little each night before bed. You will be glad you did.

This book was read and reviewed by my 10 year old daughter. This is the first Just Grace book she has read but it won't be the last. She liked how it was separated into small sections. She enjoyed learning how to make a "zine" and when Grace made a zine about hotdogs. She found the character Grace to be weird and funny. The doodles were a fun part of the book. Although the main character is a girl she feels that many boys would enjoy the book as well. The only thing she didn't like about the book was that it was too short.

Due to a student making fun of another one for eating something unusual, Just Grace and her entire class are forced to study atypical foods in order to develop an appreciation for them. Just Grace is unsure what to research until her friend Augustine Dupre surprises her with chicken-flavored potato chips. From there, she decides to find out what other unusual flavors potato chips are available in. Grace is brimming over with optimism, a good sense of humor, a thankful heart, and friendliness even toward someone no one else likes. She does break the rules at times since she's not supposed to visit Augustine Dupre, but her conscience is always on high alert. The positive mentality in this book is a pleasant change of pace from plenty of other young adult books presently on the market. Though the storyline is not one full of adventure, but rather more about everyday life, the writing style is quick-moving and inventive and keeps one wanting to read more. The charming, childlike illustrations add to the story, and there are a couple of how-tos (a zine and "chipwich") that encourage readers to interact with the book. This book is a really entertaining read (although it did make me very hungry!).

I was charmed by this simple book about a girl named Grace who has a friend named Mimi, etc. and likes to discuss food in her journal. The teacher at school is discussing food in her classroom and trying to broadened her students' knowledge of food. It seems that Grace's and Mimi's parents are doing this too. Grace makes a study of potato chips and teaches the readers more than they ever thought possible about them. I learned a lot. Grace seems to be a very nice girl who writes a very interesting journal and many young readers will enjoy reading her stories about food. I enjoyed it and will share this book with my students.

I'm a newcomer to the "Just Grace" books, and this is the first one I've read. The format of the book isn't a simple telling or retelling of a story from the perspective of (Just) Grace. It's more like a diary or similar, where the story is told through her writings and drawings about what happens, and what she thinks and feels. I liked that style. I found the book to be well-written, enjoyable, and fun. The book has an educational side, too. It could potentially be used to spark some discussions and new experiences related to international foods and craft making, among other things. Parents: read this book before your child does, talk to them about it as they read it, and try some of the things mentioned in it. Good quality time will result. I gave this to my eight-year-old son to read, and he really enjoyed it, finding it funny and entertaining.