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Dec 12, 2011

Mrs Mommy Booknerd rated it:

I have to say that the wait for Good Graces was definitely worth it. I was able to read a galley of the book and was blown away at how good it was. I absolutely loved Whistling in the Dark and was anxiously awaiting the sequel . When reading Whistling in the Dark I felt like I was transported in time and that I became part of the O'Malley sisters lives. To be able to revisit these girls again in Good Graces was a gift that Kagen delivered with a giant bow. This is by far one of the greatest sequ More...

1 comment like (4 people liked it)

Sep 27, 2011

Nancy rated it:

Unpredictable and an awful lot like a fun time. Sally is the narrator and Sally is telling the story in her 12 year old voice. She captures the time period, the tone, and the innocence so well! Absolutely loved the Point of view, each character and the way Sally describes each character. Politically incorrect language of the 1970's, it is not offensive but consistent with the way people talked.

I loved every single character and the way they presented themselves to Sally. I loved the More...

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Dec 28, 2011

Elizabeth rated it:

I have been looking forward to this sequel to "Whistling in the Dark"! There are so many characters in the neighborhood. I forgot how challenging it is to keep track of all of them! But this was another engaging story about Sally and her sister Troo/Trooper/Margaret. We follow them through the summer after all the changes that happened to them in "Whistling in the Dark." There are some mysteries again in this book. Primarily, the kids are trying to discover who the cat burgla More...

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Jun 03, 2011

McGuffy Ann rated it:

Lesley Kagen continues the story of Sally O’Malley and her sister Troo, from her bestselling novel Whistling in the Dark. However, to simply call this a sequel, while the transition is seamless, does not do this book justice. Good Graces has its own story to tell.

It is one year later in 1960 Milwaukee, Wisconsin. A year in the life of the O’Malley sisters has seen many changes. While home life is more secure, both girls are still grieving the sudden loss of their father a year ago. More...

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Aug 20, 2011

ABookVacation rated it:

Of course, I’ve done this backwards and read the sequel, Good Graces, prior to reading the prequel, Whilstling in the Dark. Do I recommend doing this? Well, I do it a lot, unfortunately, because I can’t always get a hold of the prequels, and while I usually never have an issue with it, what I will say is that Good Graces gives away multiple spoilers to Whistling in the Dark. So, I now know all the main things that happen in the prequel, which is all my fault, so I don’t recommend reading this More...

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Aug 13, 2011

Maggie rated it:

I re-read Whistling in the Dark prior to reading this sequel and I have to say that the sequel is better than the original novel. I really enjoyed hanging with the O'Malley girls once again. Lesley Kagen has a terrific memory for the times she writes about. Having lived through those times myself, I was frequently caught up with a detail that made me say, "Wow, I had forgotten about that." The time spent with Sally and Troo O'Malley is as satisfying as the best comfort food you c More...

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Sep 14, 2011

Jessica rated it:

9/3: Started last night; I am so ridiculously excited for this book. I have quite the soft spot for the O'Malley sisters, especially since they live in Wisconsin, close to where I grew up.

9/14: Oh Lesley Kagen, how can I thank you for this series? I'd love to give this book 10 stars. I adore Sally & Troo and I can only hope that there will be more. It took me a while to finish because I wanted to savor it. I definitely will re-read it.

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Nov 12, 2011

Sharon rated it:

This is a charming story told from the perspective of an 11-year-old in 1960. I enjoyed the story and the insights into relationships that were skillfully shown and not narrated to the reader. I have a few nits: 1) the use of cliches was overdone to the point of being annoying and unnatural. It was funny at first, charming, but it was too unbelievable that one kid that age would use nearly every one known to man at that period of time. 2) The voice of Sally was inconsistent for a girl that More...

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Apr 12, 2011

Rochelle rated it:

I'm grinning from ear to ear. Fortunate to have an advance, I finished GOOD GRACES in a marathon two day read. The themes in the story are delicious – Kagen pokes at the ugly truths everyone conveniently hid back in 1960s Milwaukee. Never wanted to put the story down, never did. The pacing was riveting (one more chapter then lunch, no, one more chapter then bed, go to bathroom when this chapter ends.) I always enjoy Kagen’s voice and her stream of consciousness style.

I was so hap More...

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Aug 20, 2011

Lorri rated it:

This is the sequel to Whistling In The Dark, which I have not read. Even though I didn't read the first book, I could understand and follow everything going on. It starts out with Sally being in her 60's, telling the story of what happened in the summer of 1960- where someone was buried that only her and her sister knew about. Sally feels obligated to watch Troo and keep her out of trouble. It not only causes her to give up her free time, but lose sleep. Sally also finds out that her deceas More...

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Jun 04, 2011

Lynne rated it:

I was lucky enough to get this book from Netgalley and didn't realise it was a sequel so had to buy and read the first book before I read this. Although I didn't like it quite as much as Whistling in the Dark, I still loved Good Graces. The cast of characters are what really makes the book - the heroine Sally O'Malley and her sister Troo, their friends, neighbours and parents all make the book warm and a pleasure to read. Once again the author really makes Sally come alive with her funny one More...

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Oct 14, 2011

Laura rated it:

Good Graces continues the story of 10 & 11 year-old sisters Sally and Troo from Whistling in the Dark. It's one year later, and they have new adventures and problems to deal with during their summer vacation from school.

I was excited to read this because I really loved Whistling in the Dark. Although Sally still has the same amusing overactive imagination and humorous way of explaining things, which I really enjoyed, it felt way too much like a repeat of the first book. Several More...

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Jun 02, 2011

Ellen rated it:

"Good Graces" by Lesley Kagen - I just spent the better part of today reunited with dear friends, living in the Washington Park area of Milwaukee, WI. in the 1960s. The unforgettable characters & clever twists of plot kept me reading voraciously...not wanting to miss a thing.

The ending was...Oh, you will have to read "Good Graces" to find out for yourself!! This sequel to "Whistling in the Dark" reminds me of the imagination at work in a 12 year old g More...

1 comment like (1 person liked it)

May 02, 2011

Lenore rated it:

I had the privilege of being an early reader of Good Graces, Lesley Kagen's sequel to her first novel, Whistling in the Dark. The continuation of the story of the wise and wonderful O'Malley sisters, Sally and Troo from Milwaukee, Wisconsin is endearing, and heart-warming and will not to be forgotten by Lesley's fans. Trust me, you will not be able to put it aside once you open the beautifully designed cover and immerse yourself in this September, 2011 release. You will find your questions abo More...

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Oct 11, 2011

Debbie rated it:

Lesley Kagen's descriptions in Good Graces are amazing! You will feel as though you are in the Milwaukee neighborhood with Troo and Sally O'Malley! When I was a little girl we always went to see Sampson the gorilla at the Milwaukee Zoo. When Lesley wrote about the girls' visit with Sampson I felt the excitement that I used to feel so many years ago when I went to see him. This is a "keep reading-can't put it down" book! Don't stop with Good Graces. Make sure you read Lesley's other boo More...

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Jun 03, 2011

Bayshore rated it:

Sequels are frequently a disappointment. Not so, with Lesley Kagen’s follow up to Whistling in the Dark! Whether you are revisiting the O’Malley sisters or meeting them for the first time, you will be captivated by Troo’s spunk and Sally’s loyalty. Their authentic youthful voices will have you chuckling one minute and tearing up the next. Good Graces is an enjoyable stand alone, but since it will not be released until September, you have time to visit Milwaukee in 1959 with Whistling in the More...

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Oct 25, 2011

Nancy rated it:

When I finished Good Graces I intended to write a review - but I couldn't. I'm not sure why, I guess it was "writer's block" - but it was also because I couldn't sort out my feelings about the story. I still find it difficult to put into words because so much of my love of the book is about how it made me feel as I read it. For awhile I thought I was disappointed in Troo and Sally's mother. Given the danger of the previous summer (depicted in "Whistling in the Dark") I just More...

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Oct 24, 2011

Kay rated it:

I really wanted to like this book, but it suffers from sequel-itis: the first 70 pages rehash "Whistling in the Dark," boring those who've read it and spoiling all plot twists for those who haven't.The characters are no longer fresh and all the local references seem forced this time around. Sometimes the young sisters act much older than their ages (10-year-old has a smoking habit) and sometimes sound like Amelia Bedelia. But the ending is worthy of book club discussions.

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Sep 20, 2011

Amy rated it:

To me this sequel no way compared to the first book!! The characters were no longer endearing to me and had lost some of their sparkle. I found the relationship between Sally and Troo to be unhealthy and Sally's thoughts and promises to "take care of Troo" became annoying and drawn out. Her obessions with her sister drained me. The only reason I gave this book 3 stars and not 2 would be some of the laugh out loud dialogue and behaviors of Troo. Very far fetched resolution.

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Aug 06, 2011

Mary rated it:

Bravo,Bravo!!!!Lesley Kagen has done it again!! She has brought our two little sweethearts back to the pages of our imagination!! While reading this book you can't help but feel you are sitting right next to Sally experienceing the same emotions. This book is flawless and has left me wanting more. What kind of twisting and turning adventures would come of the O'Malley sisters next summer! This book is a must read!!! Thank you Lesley for your gift of writing!!

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Oct 12, 2011

Frank rated it:

I highly recommend reading Whistling in the Dark before Good Graces, but ist isn't a must.

It is fun to read a book that references an area or city that you are familiar with. Vliet street, the cookie factory, the Milwaukee Zoo. Sampson the Gorilla was an icon of the Zoo and Milwaukee for years. For Kagan to incorporate Sampson into the story was a lot of fun. The author brought back the summers of my youth. Summer heat, feedom to be gone from home all day without having your pa More...

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Jan 07, 2012

Linda rated it:

This book being a sequel had a lot to live up to in continuing the saga from Whistling in the Dark. While a sequel the book had a story all its own. Living the life of the two sisters and their friends young and old, as mystery unfolds in the chocolate chip cookie town. Sometimes I wished there was less narration by Sally and more direct action. But all in all a good read.

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Nov 13, 2011

Kathryn rated it:

The continuing story of the O'Malley sisters (Whistling in the Dark) as narrated by eleven year old Sally. This novel is a page turner from beginning to end--chronicling the mysterious events that happen in Sally and Troo O'Malley's blue collar Milwaukee neighborhood during the sweltering summer of 1960. Funny, moving and compelling--a very good read.

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Oct 11, 2011

Laura rated it:

The story of Troo and Sally O'Malley continues. Their neighborhood has a series of burglaries, someone the girls has crossed paths withs has escaped from reform school and an orphan has disappeared. Once again the girls find themselves on the loose trying to avoid trouble. A good followup novel that deals with the issues of racism, friendships, differences and sisterly love.

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Dec 23, 2011

Terri rated it:

While well-written, funny and endearing, I'm surprised that I didn't enjoy this book as much as its predecessor, Whistling in the Dark (which I loved). The characters are well drawn for the most part (how can you not love Dave Rasmussen and Ethel?) and it follows an Atonement-like pattern in that it's told from the perspective of a child who doesn't understand what is really going on. The end is just strange and didn't pull the plot together very well. But overall, a sweet story and I probabl More...

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Oct 18, 2011

Jeri rated it:

I am really puzzled by all of the high ratings for this book. I loved the first book "Whistling in the Dark" but this sequel seemed like a chore to read. The first half just dragged, and I was never invested in any of the concurrent stories that were happening, with the possible exception of Ethel, the caretaker. I read through to the end and it did pick up, if you can call children inadvertently causing an act of violence and then covering it up and then going merrily about their busi More...

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Aug 01, 2011

Sandra Shanti rated it:

I actually liked this book better than the first. You may want to read Whistling in the Dark first so you have a better idea of what Sally went through. She has a great sense of herself and her responsibility to her sister but doesn't always get it right. I found it witty and reminiscent of my childhood when kids could run around the whole neighborhood all day with friends.

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Sep 12, 2011

Amber rated it:

I received this book for free from goodreads first reads. I loved this book.It was set in 1960. The narrator is a young girl (Sally) and her innocence shows through in her story telling and made me smile. Her little sister Troo is a handful and I admit had me actually laugh out loud. This book has well developed characters. The main characters are all likeable. This is a sequel, but it can stand alone as well. My only gripe about this book is that I didn't read the first one but I intend to fix More...

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Oct 05, 2011

Ann rated it:

probably closer to 4-1/2****. once again, the adventures of sally (the worrier) and troo (the worriee) captivated me.
certainly unflattering to catholic priesthood, but the way sally disposed of the problem of father mickey had me laughing out loud for a good five minutes!

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Sep 28, 2011

Janeene rated it:

I won a copy of Good Graces though Goodreads Giveaways. I had read Whistling in the Dark a couple of years ago, and really enjoyed it, so I was looking forward to reading Good Graces. Although this is a sequel to Whistling in the Dark, the book really stands on it's own.

I wish I could give this book 3 1/2 stars. I really like how it ended, but there were a few parts that I struggled to get through. Overall I liked it, so I opted to give it a 4.

Good Graces continues the More...

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