Monday, August 9, 2010

God Is in the Pancakes

God Is in the Pancakes
By Robin Epstein
Dial Books, 2010. 265 pgs. Young Adult

Working as a candy striper at the local nursing home has been great for Grace. She enjoys the work and visiting Mr. Sands, one of the patients, is the highlight of her shift. He has become the father figure she needs since her dad left the family a year ago. But when Mr. Sands asks her for a particular, shocking favor, Grace starts dreading their visits. Grace also has to deal with numerous other issues. Realizing this is more than she can handle, she decides to start praying again, but is unsure if God will help her.

Grace is a great, realistic character and the relationship she develops with Mr. Sand’s wife is fantastic. However, too many issues overcrowd the story and bog it down. How Grace handles the very important request Mr. Sands makes of her is realistic and heartbreaking. She really struggles with it and doesn’t talk to an adult (or anyone else), but this is true of some teenagers. She muddles through her faith and reaches what she feels is the best moral reality for the situation.

MN

1 comment:

Adrienne said...

I agree that there is too much going on, overcrowding the story--things like the problems with Grace's sister's boyfriend don't really add much to the story.