Plot Summary

Tending to Grace

Kimberly Newton Fusco
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Tending to Grace

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2004

Book Brief

Kimberly Newton Fusco

Tending to Grace

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2004
Book Details
Pages

167

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

New England • 2000s

Theme
Publication Year

2004

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

10-14 years

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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

3.9

530 ratings

66%

Loved it

26%

Mixed feelings

8%

Not a fan

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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 this

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.

3.9

530 ratings

66%

Loved it

26%

Mixed feelings

8%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

167

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

New England • 2000s

Theme
Publication Year

2004

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

10-14 years

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