Lenore is Cornelia’s mother—and Cornelia’s fix-up project. What does it matter that Cornelia won’t talk to anyone and is al...
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reviews
Sep 20, 2010
Sheila
rated it: 
I read a book this morning; a wonderful, short, evocative, uplifting book called Tending to Grace. It’s a young adult novel, and I have to admit, I love the way so many young adult books are so lyrically written, tightly edited and refreshingly focused. It made a lovely way to center my thoughts at the beginning of the day.
Tending to Grace is written from the point of view of a high school sophomore whose mother leaves for Vegas with the boyfriend, dropping daughter off with an elder More...
Tending to Grace is written from the point of view of a high school sophomore whose mother leaves for Vegas with the boyfriend, dropping daughter off with an elder More...
Sep 23, 2011
Jennifer
rated it:
Fast read, but a wonderful story. I loved hearing Cornelia's voice and watching her grow. Agatha and Bo are great characters that really add to the story, because they allow Cornelia to come out of her shell at her own pace. Agatha might push her, but she does it to make her give herself a name. I was angry whenever someone called her a dimwit just because she stuttered! How frustrating!
The book does have some language that is inappropriate for younger readers, so I would caution ag More...
The book does have some language that is inappropriate for younger readers, so I would caution ag More...
Nov 11, 2011
J.
rated it: 
C-C-C-C-Cornelia Thornhill stutters uncontrollably and is a neglected child that has been forced to take on the role of an adult. She keeps things straight. Her mother is completely irresponsible. Her mother runs off to Las Vegas with a loser boyfriend after she dumps Cornelia with Aunt Agatha, a virtual stranger. Cornelia stuffs her feelings of hurt inside and refuses to speak most of the time, because of her stutter. When she’s forced to live with the eccentric old woman she finds she’s smart
More...
Apr 15, 2009
4Q 3P MJ
The main character, Cornelia, is a self-proclaimed “bookworm, a bibliophile, and a passionate lover of books”. She has turned inward because of her family situation, and because of the extreme stuttering that makes relationships difficult. When her mother decides to leave for Vegas with her new boyfriend, Cornelia is left with a literal stranger (although Agatha is really her deceased grandmother’s sister). Cornelia must also adjust to life in the country; with an outhouse being More...
The main character, Cornelia, is a self-proclaimed “bookworm, a bibliophile, and a passionate lover of books”. She has turned inward because of her family situation, and because of the extreme stuttering that makes relationships difficult. When her mother decides to leave for Vegas with her new boyfriend, Cornelia is left with a literal stranger (although Agatha is really her deceased grandmother’s sister). Cornelia must also adjust to life in the country; with an outhouse being More...
Jan 25, 2009
Jaemi
rated it:
This is a story about finding your way. In more ways than one. Running off and never arriving, hiding in plain sight, and then from sight, only to emerge triumphant. Learning and growing through caring, and learning when not to care so much.
Compared to my previous read, the language is simplistic if not uneducated at points, but the story packs no less punch or knowledge for it.
We all want to hide sometimes. And we all do, in whatever way suits us best. But none of us should More...
Compared to my previous read, the language is simplistic if not uneducated at points, but the story packs no less punch or knowledge for it.
We all want to hide sometimes. And we all do, in whatever way suits us best. But none of us should More...
Nov 30, 2009
Erica K
rated it: 
I liked this book, though I wasn't totally blown away by it. It tells the story of a young girl who has spent most of her life dealing with her mother's lack of responsibility. She started stuttering at an early age and has had problems at school because of it. When her mom drops her off at her great aunt's farm to live for a while, she finds ways to help others help themselves, and in the process gains self confidence and learns how to help herself.
Jul 08, 2011
Susanne
rated it: 
I absolutely loved the author's description of the main character's life on the first page. I think after that, I expected more from Fusco's prose, but was left feeling uninspired. The characters were interesting but not three-dimensional. I also think a different title might have been more appropriate.
Dec 28, 2010
Chalse
rated it:
I thought it was really good. And I especially loved how you could see her character grow throughout the entire novel because at the end you can't help but want her to.
Nov 30, 2010
This was a book recommended by the Stuttering Foundation. I came upon it as I was doing some research for my students.
Dec 08, 2008
Josie
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i liked this book for a reason i don't know. its been almost a year since i have read it. I really liked it.
Oct 25, 2010
Alison
rated it:
This was an OK book. it was well written but the actual story wasn't very strong at all.
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Feb 09, 2011
Lily
rated it:
Started it today and finished today! I loved this book it was SOOOOOOO GOOD!
Jul 02, 2010
Pauline
rated it:
This was a wonderful coming of age book. I would highly recommend it.
Jul 02, 2008
Joanne
rated it:
I found this book on the discard shelf of our local library, and I have read it 6 times in the past month.
I like it for what I can learn about scenes and chapters (the book has 98 of them), as well as how the author effects her characterization.
The story traces the life of a young girl who has a verbal stutter and a mother who is unavailable physically and emotionally. It's a coming of age story, but one that's on my must reread shelf so I can learn Fusco's tricks.
I like it for what I can learn about scenes and chapters (the book has 98 of them), as well as how the author effects her characterization.
The story traces the life of a young girl who has a verbal stutter and a mother who is unavailable physically and emotionally. It's a coming of age story, but one that's on my must reread shelf so I can learn Fusco's tricks.
Sep 13, 2008
Suebee
rated it:
Fourteen-year old Cornelia "turns to stone," closing down her emotions and rarely speaking. An avid reader, she is a stammerer, and is misunderstood at school and by her mother, who leaves her with her great aunt Agatha to go to Vegas with her loser boyfriend. Cornelia at first fights with her sloppy great aunt, who doesn't even have a toilet, before loving her new life and deciding to stay, even when her mother returns 6 months later.
May 02, 2007
Nerd Goddess
rated it:
I was actually kind of surprised by this book. It's anothe rone of those "pull it out at random" books from the shelf of the library, and I really liked it. It was short and simple, with nice lessons to be learned from it. It was a lot about healing and change, and I definetly think it's a worthwhile read.
Nov 12, 2008
Jane
rated it:
My favorite kind of book - for Middle Schoolers! About a girl who stutters and ends up living with an old eccentric relative.
Oct 01, 2007
Sara
rated it:
the chapters were short and it was an easy read. it was alright to read, but I wouldn't highly recommend it or anything.
Feb 08, 2012
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