Saving Grace

by Priscilla Cummings

When the financial situation gets worse during the Depression and the McFarland children are separated into various temporary foster homes, eleven-year-old Grace isn’t happy and wants to go back home, but when the Hammonds invite her into their loving and prosperous world, Grace begins to think that maybe she doesn’t want to return to her own family when the time comes.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Middle Grade, Fiction, Childrens, Young Adult

256 pages, Hardcover

First published June 23, 2003

Reviews

[Jessica Gutierrez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Beautiful and heartfelt, sad and hopeful. It was exactly what I was hoping it would be. An incredible reminder of everything we have to be thankful for!

Additionally it was so well written, one of those that doesn’t even feel like you’re reading because it just flows so well. I will probably read it every few years around Christmastime.

[Joelle Wildman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite book from childhood- this was my 3rd time reading it, and I seem to forget what happens each time, but fall back in love with it each time.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A grim picture of the hard choices facing a destitute family in Washington, D.C. during the Great Depression, based on the childhood experience of the author's mother-in-law. Forced to place their children in a children's shelter to keep them from starving, Grace's parents run the risk of losing them to unscrupulous adoptive parents. Grace is placed with a family where she is pampered by the adults and resented by the only other child in the household. She finds it hard to give up some of the behaviors she has learned through the desperate circumstances of a life of extreme poverty, but eventually becomes comfortable enough to consider permanent adoption into her new family.

[Mallory Rubley · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mom read this to me as a kid and I remember her crying while she read it to me. As an adult with my own daughter on the way I cried a LOT. Heartbreakingly true story about the Great Depression at the kid level. Will definitely read to my daughter.

[Valencia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was awesome! What a great story.

[myra · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic view of a family's experience during the Great Depression. Grace is so cunning and lovely. She's very humorous which is very admirable considering her circumstances.

[Polymuse · Rating 5 out of 5]

such a heartbreakingly, beautiful story

[Nanci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Booklist says: "Gr. 4-7. During the depths of the Depression, 11-year-old Grace McFarland suffers grinding poverty. Papa can't find work, the family is homeless, and Grace and her younger brothers are placed in a charity shelter. The prosperous Hammond family take Grace in for Christmas, and she's suddenly surrounded with wonderful clothes, food, and gifts. But how can she enjoy the luxury when her older brother is dying in a TB hospital, Papa is in line at the soup kitchen, and Mama is in a dreary basement caring for the baby? Then the rich Hammonds offer to adopt Grace. What should she do? The realistic historical detail is an integral part of the family drama, but the class differences and adoption conflicts are universal. The child's personal conflict is the core of the story, drawing readers into Grace's guilty secrets, which are not only about the stealing that has become a habit but also about deserting her family. The tension builds until the last chapter, when Grace must decide where to find her home."

[Demetria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seems well researched and nicely written. I appreciate that there are no bad words and the little violence included was needed to convey what those people were living. I also appreciate how it presents deaf people and a boy with a birth defect as normal people who just happen to have an extra challenge in life

I'm an adult, and my children are grown, but will recommend for them to read this book to learn about how lucky they were growing up that they never went hungry. That said, I'm only giving this book 3 stars because it's supposed to be a children's book, but it surely doesn't read like one. It was very emotional. I cried several times.

The other star I took off because of too much religion references, even reading the bible right after the pledge of allegiance in a public school. I don't think that was needed. Of course, I should have expected it with that title, so it could be my fault.

I wasn't planning to read a children's book. I picked it up at the library book sale by mistake, so I read it. It was a fast read for a holiday weekend, but not a happy, cheery book.

[Krista Stevens · Rating 4 out of 5]

SPOILER ALERT AT THE BOTTOM:
A very differnt look at what happened to some children during the Great Depression. In 1932, eleven-year-old Grace and her two younger brothers are sent to a mission after her family is booted out of their apartment and her parents cannot feed them. Children at this mission in Washington D.C. were often taken home by more fortunate Washington families; some ended up adopting them. Grace struggles with her loyalty to her family versus having enough food, a warm bed, and lovely clothes. Poignant descriptions of the difficult choices faced by families as well as the wide divide between those who were comfortable and well-off and those who had to take turns eating each day so their siblings would have enough.


SPOILER ALERT: Grace's older brother dies. May not be good for students who have suffered a loss of a sibling recently.

[Shannon Stults · Rating 4 out of 5]

To be honest, I only even have this book because the story is inspired by my grandmother, Betty Dell Stone Stults. I received an autographed copy from Priscilla Cummings when it first printed. I was about 12 years old then, and I'm sad to say that I've just now read it all the way through for the first time at 20 years old.

Though I love to read now, I absolutely hated it when I was younger. I had some free time, so I picked up this book, determined to finally read it all the way through.

And now I'm so glad I did. I loved this book and still would have even if it hadn't been inspired my grandma. Set in the time of the Great Depression, this story is heart-breaking and uplifting, about loss, struggle, family, and most importantly hope. I'm so glad I read it!

[Lina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set during the Great Depression, Grace and her family practically lose everything and Grace and her brothers are sent to a mission orphanage. During the holidays, Grace is given the chance to stay with a well-to-do family. She eventually learns that they are interested in adopting her. True, the conditions are much better and she loves it there, but is she willing to give up her family?

This book provided a good picture of what life was like during the Great Depression. I didn't really like Grace, though I was glad she learned some good lessons throughout the book and I do agree with her decision. It was good to read about the Great Depression from a child's point of view, showing what they really went through, instead of the watered down American Girl series-type books.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very good book, I really liked it! I like how it is very true to the time period! I choose this book because the girl that was on the cover was dressed in clothes that a girl would normally wear in an older time period. I like to read books that are set in an older time period because, even though the characters may not be real the background/setting is real and it helps me to learn what it's like in that time period. My favorite part of the book is when Grace spends her first Christmas away from her family. She is at the Hamilton's house and gets real Christmas presents for the first time. I would recommend this book to everyone! It's a really good book and I liked it and I know other people who have read it and liked it to.

[Miss Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

gr 4-7 238 pgs

1932, Washington DC. In the middle of winter, Grace and her family are evicted from their apartment. Without any means to support them, her parents have no choice but to send Grace and her brothers to the charity shelter. Grace is chosen by the Hammond family to spend the holidays. For the first time in a long time, Grace has enough food to eat and even has her own room. When the Hammonds offer to adopt, Grace is faced with a difficult choice. Should she stay with the Hammonds and all the luxuries they have to offer or should she go with her parents as they hope to make a new start out West.

Great story. Loosely based on the story of Betty Dell Stone.

[Sunshine · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars...there is something wonderful about a simple and moving Junior fiction story. Priscilla Cummings writes the thoughts, fears, and feelings of our young Grace McFarland character beautifully. This book would be of tremendous value to parents wanting their young children to understand that so many go without, what a great history lesson for youth getting a personal look at the trials that the Great Depression brought to our country and it's people.

[Kevin Lanahan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book. A bit of historical fiction, showing hard times and hard choices, pain and joy. Grace is a young girl whose family is struggling in the Depression in Washington DC. She is sent to live in a shelter with two of her brothers after the family is evicted from their apartment, and spends Christmas with a family that takes her in for a while.

Sweet, touching, heartbreaking, redemptive. Delightful.

[Janna · Rating 2 out of 5]

A hard read to be sure -- not in language or words but in overall theme. The Depression was nothing to take lightly, and the author doesn't treat it lightly. I must admit I felt a bit I was being dragged downward by one bad plot twist after another. I did love the characters, though, and was glad I read the book. I'm also intrigued by the fact that this story was inspired by actual women of the author's acquaintance.

[Suzie Fullmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book partly because it truly is appropriate for children. No language; which can surprisingly be a problem. Such a sweet story about a really tough time in our nations history. It had a really good message about the importance of family. I also found it interesting that it was based on a true story. I highly recommend.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story takes place during the great depression. Based on a true story. The hardships most people went through I can only imagine. I don't think I could give up my kids like that. But I have never been through anything like that. Very good story, and a tear jerker.

[DiDi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another great book in the pseudo-journal genre. It is about a young girl who must go live in a mission during the Great Depression. It does a good job showing the conditions that many families sank to during this time and the hope the country had in the new president FDR.

[Lanetta · Rating 4 out of 5]

A parton at the library told me to read this book. It took me a while to pick it up and read, but I did enjoy it. It was refreshing to read about the importance of family and being a family even in the hard times. I liked the Christian values that were thoughout the book.

[Sara K · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a very good historical fiction and it made me cry, it was excellent!

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

It made me cry so it gets 5 stars. Set in Washington D.C. in the early 1930's.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book, but way too sad. Another piece of historical (family) fiction. I picked it up because it is an Iowa Children's Choice Award Nominee.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another one of my ALL TIME favorites. Everyone should read this...awesome book!

[Sreya Molakalapalli · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is very inspiring book of the great depression.

this book is very tragic and emotional at the same time.

[Sydney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was amazing! It is Historical Fiction and also non fiction in a chapter book at the same time.
READ IT!

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book at the recommendation of my 9.5 year old daughter after the author had visited her school. My daughter and I both LOVED it!

[Shelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

historical fiction novel about a young girl during the depression who faces difficult decisions and struggles to survive in a desperate world.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liked the era because I learned new things from a different place/perspective of the Great Depression.
The story is sad, but certainly made me think. Overall a good one.