Gracefully Grayson by Ami Polonsky

Gracefully Grayson

By: Ami Polonsky

            The story Gracefully Grayson by Ami Polonsky is a great story. As an adult reader it is a great story as a young struggling reader depending on their interest will make this boring or great. The author did a great job of telling this story of young Grayson.

  

          The story is about a young boy named Grayson Sender in the 6th grade. He is in middle school and lives with his Uncle Evan and Aunt Sally. He has been sent to live with them due to the fact that his parents were killed in a car accident while he was at daycare. He has two cousins that are there at the apartment too. He doesn't seem to get along with Jack or I should say Jack doesn't get along with Grayson. Jack thinks he is a freak. Now younger Brett sees nothing but his cousin. 

          Grayson must try to figure out who he is. He daydreams about wearing outfits that appeal to girls. He has no idea why but hides who he really feels he is. He has really no friends at school and is befriend by Amelia for a short time. However, he seems to find something inside him to try out for a play being directed by his Humanities teacher Mr. Finn. He is unsure what part he wants to try out for until he auditions. He says Persephone. Now he must deal with the repercussion from schoolmates and his family.

        As the story continues on we learn some interesting facts about Grayson from letters him mother wrote to his grandmother Alice who is currently living in a nursey home. Grayson is very isolated and doesn't seem to socialize well with anyon. These letters are the key to finding out who he is.

      The story reminds me of the Bruce/Caitlyn Jenner story. Well not to the same extreme, but is current to what is going on in the news. I really enjoyed this story about Grayson. It would be a great little story for students who are trying to find themselves to read. I would definitely recommend it to my students and others.