RACHEL HAS JUST graduated from high school and thinks she knows everything. Well, maybe not quite everything. Then she meets the mysterious Mr. Pre...
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Oct 12, 2011
Reynje
rated it: 
2001 called, it wants it's Melanie C reference back! No, seriously - this was lovely.
As the title implies, Finding Grace is a story about discovery. It’s a touching and funny glimpse into one young woman’s realisation that perhaps she doesn’t know as much about life as she thought she did.
Eighteen-year-old, slightly socially awkward Rachel has just finished high school when she accepts a job offer to become a live-in carer for Grace, a woman with a severe brain injury. More...
As the title implies, Finding Grace is a story about discovery. It’s a touching and funny glimpse into one young woman’s realisation that perhaps she doesn’t know as much about life as she thought she did.
Eighteen-year-old, slightly socially awkward Rachel has just finished high school when she accepts a job offer to become a live-in carer for Grace, a woman with a severe brain injury. More...
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Oct 12, 2011
Cory
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So, this morning I woke up and checked my GR feed. And, on a whim, I noticed that someone (Karen) had added this book to their to-reads list. Out of curiosity, I clicked through and read the blurb. It didn't amaze me, but I clicked on the preview anyway. Then I went to Amazon and purchased it. And I sat down and finished it in less than three hours.
This is an aussie book. It's contemporary. Only one aussie author has failed me and we all know who that is.
Anyway, this is More...
This is an aussie book. It's contemporary. Only one aussie author has failed me and we all know who that is.
Anyway, this is More...
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(14 people liked it)
Dec 07, 2011
Rachel
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Before putting deep thought into my review, take into consideration that I read this book in 2 hours curled up on the floor in the corner.
This book was altogether a satisfying read, with a great blend of fun characters and some deep food-for-thought about values and how seriously you're taking your life.
I do have a few questions for those who have read this book:
-Why does this girl only go to "uni" (university) about three times in the whole book? I mean, it' More...
This book was altogether a satisfying read, with a great blend of fun characters and some deep food-for-thought about values and how seriously you're taking your life.
I do have a few questions for those who have read this book:
-Why does this girl only go to "uni" (university) about three times in the whole book? I mean, it' More...
Nov 16, 2010
Jessie
rated it: 
This is the sixth book I read and its called Finding Grace by Alyssa Brugman. Its about a girl named Rachel who takes a live in job where she takes care of this woman named Grace who has brain damage. Rachel thinks she knows everything well almost everything. While taking care of Grace and going to college. She soon realizes she doesn’t really know Grace. She starts to go snooping around for clues trying to figure out who Grace was. She then discovers a box filled with letters that Grace had let
More...
Jan 14, 2012
Peggy
rated it:
I came across this book while sorting books at Lifeline for their bookfair. I loved the title and the cover, so I thought I would take it home and start off 2012 with what I hoped would be an interesting book.
It turned out to be a highly worthwhile, inspiring read about a teenager's struggle finding her way through frustrating emotions while caring for a disabled person. It was also a compassionate yet unexpected funny story.
Alyssa captured my imagination because she presented the s More...
It turned out to be a highly worthwhile, inspiring read about a teenager's struggle finding her way through frustrating emotions while caring for a disabled person. It was also a compassionate yet unexpected funny story.
Alyssa captured my imagination because she presented the s More...
Jan 29, 2012
Kimberly
rated it:
Surprisingly good. I picked this up randomly at the library, which usually isn't a recipe for success, but I feel like I lucked out this time. This was a nice, quick, funny-at-times, and touching read.
Here are two of my favorite quotes (and similarities I share with the main character):
"Das ist eins meiner Probleme. Ich werde beim geringsten Anlass rot. Ich habe druchsichtige Haut. Ich bin so was von weiß, ich bin der weißeste Mensch, den man sich vorstellen kann. M More...
Here are two of my favorite quotes (and similarities I share with the main character):
"Das ist eins meiner Probleme. Ich werde beim geringsten Anlass rot. Ich habe druchsichtige Haut. Ich bin so was von weiß, ich bin der weißeste Mensch, den man sich vorstellen kann. M More...
Nov 19, 2010
Maggie
rated it:
I really liked this book. I was looking for something with a more literary feel to it and I found a book with great writing and excellent heart. The author does a great job of juxtaposing learning about Grace, the woman the protagonist is caring for, with Rachel's own growth into understanding herself and finding her path in life.
The only thing I didn't like about this book is that it's in first person. I know that is the trend in YA but for me it makes it harder to get into because More...
The only thing I didn't like about this book is that it's in first person. I know that is the trend in YA but for me it makes it harder to get into because More...
May 05, 2010
Jill
rated it:
The author portrays a young woman on the verge of adulthood who decides to work for a woman with a traumatic brain injury. The writing was both humorous and touching, as well as very realistic and relatable. I felt like I really knew this girl, and would like to be friends with her. I especially enjoyed how the author used the phrase "I know everything" throughout the book. It was a sort of tongue-in-cheek response to youthfulness, and you could see the girl grow via the way this s
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Mar 25, 2011
Emily
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This is one of my overall favourite YA novels. I'm so proud of our Aussie authors - they just keep amazing me!
A few nights ago I was browsing my bookcase. I picked up All American Girl, filled with affection for my first Meg Cabot book. I loved, no – adored those books. I think that’s what inspired me to admire writers and have a go at writing myself. I’m talking about the books that I loved when I was a teenager. Books that made me laugh, books that made me cry... the books that ma More...
A few nights ago I was browsing my bookcase. I picked up All American Girl, filled with affection for my first Meg Cabot book. I loved, no – adored those books. I think that’s what inspired me to admire writers and have a go at writing myself. I’m talking about the books that I loved when I was a teenager. Books that made me laugh, books that made me cry... the books that ma More...
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(8 people liked it)
Mar 29, 2011
Jenny
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Rachel has just graduated from high school and knows she knows almost everything. She takes a job as the primary caregiver for a brain damaged woman named Grace. Rachel must learn to cope with the responsibilities of her new job, starting university, and making new friends. She begins to learn that she might not know everything after all.
Oct 13, 2011
Debi
rated it:
Oh how I adored this book! I loved the main character, an Australian teenaged girl who is convinced she knows everything, as we all did when we were 18. I loved feeling as if, uncomfortable as it may be, I was walking around in her skin. I wish I hadn't read it because I would love to get to re-experience the book for the first time.
Dec 11, 2010
KC
rated it:
A gem hidden in the YA section. I ransacked the library shelves looking for just one decent YA novel that I hadn't read, and I certainly found one. My only confusions comes from the fact that I know very little about Australian college, and it seemed like Rachel didn't have to go to class much. Great story.
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Jul 17, 2009
Elise
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This book was really well written and hilarious! It was such a good story line, you get pulled in and hope for Grace's recovery the whole way through. I felt that every character, even the minor ones, were so real and interesting!
Aug 26, 2011
Colleen
rated it:
This book is amazing. It is one of my favorite YA books of all time. It is lyrical and quirky and voice-driven and I just loved the protagonist to pieces. I was sad when it was over...so I read it again...and again!
Jan 26, 2011
Lizzy
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This book is amazing. Perhaps because it's about something I am particularly interested in (caring for mentally disabled--in this case brain damaged), but I found Finding Grace fascinating, realistic, and uplifting.
Mar 13, 2010
Brenda
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Great characters, very real. I loved how Rachel goes from not very interested in Grace, to finding out more and more about her. She learns to not be so self absorbed, as we tend to be at that age! Recommended!
Jun 21, 2010
Kacie
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It was overall a good book. I like the way it ended, but I wish it ended with Grace knowing and recogizing Rachel. It was still good ending though. Some parts were a little confusing because of the australian slang.
Jul 12, 2011
Emily
rated it:
I realy enjoyed this book, I thought it would be a bit different to what I would usualy read and at first I found it hard to get into, but it was worth it! It made me think and it made me cry, a realy enjoyable book and I would recomend it
Nov 30, 2010
Christie
rated it:
Not exactly what I thought it would be. It turned out to be a good book about 18 year old who just graduated high school and her journey to figure out what to do with her life. Some of the language was hard to understand due to it being written by an Aussie. However it was understandable and inspiring story.
Jan 06, 2012
Terri
rated it:
This was a good read. I liked Grace's independence and innocence. That's all I'll say as to not give anything away.
Feb 06, 2009
Miss
rated it:
A very intelligent and mature YA read. I would definitely read more of the author's other novels.
Feb 23, 2009
Sarah
rated it:
I feel that my life has been enriched by this book.
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Nov 28, 2007
Kewpie
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When Rachel works as a caregiver to an unresponsive brain damaged patient, she discovers a box full of letters she wrote before her injury. Discovering the reality of Grace’s past helps Rachel feel more sympathy for her charge and reach out into the community for support and friendship. Red Flags: One or two minor references to sex and out of wedlock pregnancy. Age 11+. Read-alikes: Being Bindy by Alyssa Brugman and Stuck in Neutral if the reader is interested in brain injuries.
Mar 29, 2009
Josie
rated it:
At times laugh-out-loud funny, at others thoughtful and poignant. I loved reading this book!
(Although I would think that it would be less embarrassing to just be seen blushing rather than suddenly whip off your jumper and wrap it round your head!)
(Although I would think that it would be less embarrassing to just be seen blushing rather than suddenly whip off your jumper and wrap it round your head!)
Aug 04, 2008
Lisa
rated it:
I picked this one up randomly at the public library-I thought it was a different cover for Amazing Grace-got confused for a minute. I was pleasantly surprised by this one. I immediately liked the narrator Rachel and though it took me a couple of chapters to get used to the Austrailian vocab, I thought this was a wonderful story about a woman with brain damage. Another strong point was that it is written with a very mature teen character, but the content is still very PG.
Apr 01, 2009
Clare
rated it:
ok, you know? but very heartwarming and hilariouly blunt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sep 19, 2008
Linnae
rated it:
Great characters. Alice made me laugh out loud a couple of times, and I could just picture all the other people, and felt I knew them. The plot also layers; as you find out more about Grace before the accident, your perspective of the people involved in her life also shifts and deepens. Some language, but overall great read.
Jan 29, 2012
Cutegerman08
rated it:
I really liked the story. It's something different. Don't know the title in english but it's pretty good.
