Grace loves stories, whether they're from books, movies, or the kind her grandmother tells. So when she gets a chance to play a part in Peter Pan, she knows exactly who she wants to be. Remarkable watercolor illustrations give full expression to Grace's high-flying imagination.

Primary
Grace loves to tell and act out stories. One day she wants to be Peter Pan, and against all odds, she does it!
I'd love to have this book in my classroom because it shows a strong female lead that is determined to do whatever she wants. It is a good reminder of kids of both genders and all races that they can do anything they set their mind to.

Read about Grace, a spunky, tenacious young girl who dreams many things, including the future she would like to attain as an adult. But, first there is childhood to live through, and, at an early way, Grace acted out some of her best-loved stories. She must read about the characters to properly know their story before she can accurately act it out to perfection.

As she studies Joan of Arc, the wooden horse at the gates of Troy, a pirate who has the disadvantage of a peg leg, the famous Indian maiden Hiawatha, and Rudyard Kipling's Jungle Book depicting Mowgli, she also dreams of perhaps becoming a doctor.

When Peter Pan is going to be played on stage, her class strongly discourages her wish of portraying this character. An excellent way to show the things that hinder a young girl of her age in her time of life, her classmates strongly discourage her dream.

She is told she is NOT a boy and cannot be Peter Pan. And, Peter Pan was NOT black like Grace. But, wonderfully, Grace has two very strong mentors, her mother and grand mother who never doubt Grace's dreams and abilities. Grace holds her head up high, pulling together all her self confidence and shows the class at tryouts that she can indeed be the best Peter Pan of the class.

Reinforcing their belief in Grace, her mother takes her to the grand theater where a young black woman is highlighted as Juliet in the ballet performance of Romeo and Juliet.

The artistry of Caroline Binch brings Grace to realistic life. Coupled with the writing of the author, this is an inspirational book for all young girls who push the societal images of what a black female young girl can truly accomplish.

This is an excellent book to reinforce the need for mentors, the ability for self confidence, and the courage to perform.

4.5 Stars ( )

Independent Reading Level: Grades 2-4
Awards: Best Books for Young Adults (1997)

"Grace loves to act out her favorite stories, taking every part from Joan of Arc to Mowgli. But when her class learns that they will be doing Peter Pan, the other kids tell Grace she can't have the lead: Peter's neither black nor a girl. Fortunately, Nana and Ma have contagious confidence in Grace's ability, and at the tryouts the class also agrees that Grace is best. It's easy to catch the wholesomely assertive spirit here—as Binch does, in this excellent debut, with her detailed, realistic watercolors; vibrant Grace almost springs from the page. (Picture book. 4-8)" www.kirkusreviews.com