Grace for President

Grace for President

Written by: Kelley DiPucchio

Illustrated by: LeUyen Pham

Hyperion Books for Children 2008

32 pages

Contemporary Realistic Fiction

            I chose this book because it was one of the first to jump out at me. The illustrations are big and loud which I know children like. I also knew it would be a good book to read in school since that is where the setting takes place.  When Grace Campbell learns there has never been a girl president she immediately decides she wants to be the first. The school holds an election for Grace and her tough competition Thomas Cobb. While Thomas knows he has it in the bag Grace works hard and tries to become the best girl for the job.

            The illustrations in this book really catch the eye. The pictures are very big, loud, and colorful. The compositions show you what the author wants you to mainly focus on. There are many different shapes and sizes, such as the shape of the states. The illustrator uses a variety of warm colors such as reds, blues, and yellows. The pictures capture the American theme throughout the book.

            This book would be appropriate for children between ages 5 to 9. There are a variety of different texts. For kindergarten through first grade you may have to read the book aloud to your students, where as second or third grade students could read it to themselves. Grace for President would be great to incorporate in a history lesson. I would like to use it during election time because it really goes through the election process in a student friendly manner. It would also be good to build character education. It shows children know matter what you should always believe in yourself and dream big!