Summer vacation has begun, and Grace leads the way for her friends in countless adventures such as playing circus, inventing a time machine, investigating a haunted house, and starring in a town musical. 20,000 first printing. Grade 2-4-This beginning chapter book finds Grace and her friends at the start of summer vacation ready for new adventures, and that's just what they get. From circus performers to ghostbusters, from astronauts to detectives, the child and her "gang of four" always find something exciting to play. What makes this episodic tale work particularly well are the plot twists in each chapter. For instance, when the girl and her pals decide to investigate the "haunted house" in the neighborhood, they meet a timid old woman whose wartime escape from Europe years before has left her frightened of leaving her home. There are misadventures, too-as when Grace decides to spy on her mother's boyfriend and gets caught. Still, all's well that ends well, and as the summer draws to a close, Grace and company get to perform on a real stage. Hoffman's text reads easily and is filled with humor and the wide-eyed innocence of young children at play. The plot is believable, and the characters are well drawn-although Grace's grandmother and mother seem to have the patience of a whole school of saints. One full-page pencil drawing illustrates each chapter. This is sure to be a hit with fans of Amazing Grace (1991) and Boundless Grace (1995, both Dial), both picture books, and will be a fast-paced choice for reluctant readers. Nancy Menaldi-Scanlan, LaSalle Academy, Providence, RI Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. The star of the popular picture book Amazing Grace (1991) is center stage again in this lively chapter book about Grace on her summer vacation. She has lots of friends this time, but they are only bit players. Grace is the leader as the kids play circus and visit a real circus, play "ghostbusters" and discover a mysterious neighbor, play doctor and cope with a real emergency. All the imaginative play leads to the climactic chapter, in which they get walk-ons in a real theatrical production. Of course, Grace steps into a big role. Boundless Grace (1995), about Grace's visit to her rich dad in Africa, was a disappointing story, but this one is back to the excitement of dressing up and being part of a show. There's also more this time about Ma and Nana, whose love and support help Grace to push beyond herself. Caroline Binch's pictures (one full-page illustration per chapter) were not seen in galley, but fans of the first book will recognize the smiling girl in the jacket painting. Hazel Rochman The creators of the popular picture books Amazing Grace (1991) and Boundless Grace (1995) have brought fans a beginning chapter book about Grace and her friends. It's summer, and the kids keep each other busy playing circus and jungle explorers, inventing a time machine, and trying out for the local production of Annie . Grace learns, as always, important lessons--about privacy, friendship, and family--from her Ma and Nana and neighbor Mrs. Myerson. She and her friends get along well, and always have a good idea for a new game. Curiously, they use expressions like chatting, odds and ends, and squabble, making them sound British. (Hoffman lives in London, but she's set the story in the US.) Each of the eight chapters is episodic, and though they are linked to each other, there is no binding plot. Hoffman's narrative style is nearly identical to that in her picture books and, unfortunately, does not provide much in the way of setting. In the picture books, this was compensated for by the illustrations; here, Binch's black-and-white art (not seen) is only occasional, and Hoffman hasn't made the leap to a style that will engage readers in a chapter-book format. Nor does she introduce the characters, who are difficult to get to know until well into the story, to readers new to the books. However, readers already familiar with these characters may enjoy learning about their new adventures. (Fiction. 5-9) -- Copyright © 2000 Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.