Grace is a young black girl who loves stories of any kind. She enjoys acting them out and spends her spare time doing just that, complete with costumes and props. When her family is available she asks them to join in acting out stories with her. When the class is scheduled to put on the play Peter Pan, Grace raises her hand to play the part of Peter. She is told by a boy that she can’t play Peter because she is not a boy. She is told by another student that she can’t play Peter because she is black. This makes her sad and she goes home to talk with her family about this. Her family reassures her that she can do anything she wants to do. Her nana reinforces this with a trip to the ballet where she sees a young black woman dancing the part of Juliet. This reinforces her intent to audition for Peter Pan and she does just that.
This book won the California Young Readers Medal and is recommended for ages 4-8. This is an aspiring book about a girl who is not afraid to dream and try for what she wants, even when others try to convince her that she isn’t enough. This would be a good book to read aloud during Black History Month or just as a general book about chasing your dreams even if others tell you that they are impossible.

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

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 ( )