Tending to Grace
Tending to Grace
Book Brief
167
Novel • Fiction
New England • 2000s
2004
YA
10-14 years
Super Short Summary
In Tending to Grace, 14-year-old Cornelia Thornhill, a book-loving teen with a pronounced stutter, is left with her great-aunt Agatha on a rural farm when her neglectful mother moves away. Initially resentful and isolated, Cornelia gradually gains confidence and finds her voice through her relationship with Agatha and interactions with a neighbor, ultimately embracing her new life and overcoming challenges related to her self-identity and communication.
Emotional
Melancholic
Inspirational
Hopeful
Heartwarming
Reviews & Readership
530 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Kimberly Newton Fusco’s Tending to Grace poignantly captures the journey of a young girl finding her voice amid hardship. Readers praised its deep emotional resonance and authentic portrayal of personal growth. However, some found the narrative pacing slow. Overall, it’s celebrated for its heartfelt and beautifully crafted storytelling.
Who Should Read Tending to Grace?
Readers who enjoy Tending to Grace by Kimberly Newton Fusco are typically young adults who appreciate heartfelt coming-of-age stories. Fans of Sharon Creech's Walk Two Moons and Cynthia Voigt's Homecoming will connect with the themes of self-discovery, resilience, and family bonds in this touching narrative.
530 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Kimberly Newton Fusco's debut novel, Tending to Grace, received the prestigious Schneider Family Book Award, which honors an author or illustrator for a book that embodies an artistic expression of the disability experience for child and adolescent audiences.
Tending to Grace is noted for its rich portrayal of the New England setting, drawing from Fusco's personal experiences living in rural areas, which lends authenticity to its descriptions.
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The book's main character, a stuttering protagonist, reflects Fusco's background as a special education teacher, showcasing her commitment to representing diverse voices and experiences in children's literature.
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167
Novel • Fiction
New England • 2000s
2004
YA
10-14 years
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