Saving Grace

About this book

Grace loves hanging out with her best mates Ali, Toby and especially Ryan, who she’s beginning to see as more than just a friend. However, their lives change in an instant when, at a Halloween party, Grace’s costume catches fire and she is badly burned.  

 In pain, experiencing flashbacks and feeling crushingly self-conscious about her scars, Grace faces a difficult physical and emotional recovery. She finds it hard to return to school, especially when she has to deal with nasty comments and name-calling, led by mean girl Diana. Although Grace receives tremendous love and support from her family and friends, she is consumed by her own pain and fails to notice that they are struggling too. 

 Grace is humiliated when she is cast as the back end of a donkey in the school nativity, while Diana plays Mary and spends extra time rehearsing with Ryan as Joseph. Determined to get even, she decides to sabotage the play — but will revenge really make her feel better?  

 This moving story thoughtfully explores feelings of anxiety, anger, guilt and resentment, demonstrating that trauma affects everyone involved and helping young readers develop empathy.