Good Graces

A Novel

By: Lesley Kagen

Narrated by: Lesley Kagen

Length: 10 hrs

Publisher's summary

Whistling in the Dark captivated readers with the story of 10-year-old Sally O'Malley and her sister, Troo, during Milwaukee's summer of 1959. The novel became a New York Times best seller and was named a Midwest Honor Award winner. In Good Graces, it's one year later, and a heat wave has everyone in the close-knit Milwaukee neighborhood on edge - none more so than Sally O'Malley, who remains deeply traumatized by the sudden death of her daddy and her near escape from a murderer and molester the previous summer.

Although outwardly she and her sister, Troo, are more secure, Sally's confidence in her own judgment and much of her faith have been whittled away. When a series of disquieting events unfold in the neighborhood - a string of home burglaries, the escape from reform school of a nemesis, and the mysterious disappearance of an orphan, crimes that may involve the increasingly rebellious Troo - Sally is called upon to rise above her inner demons. She made a deathbed promise to her daddy to keep Troo safe, a promise she can't break, even if her life depends on it. But when events reach a crisis point, will Sally have the courage and discernment to make the right choices? Or will her false assumptions lead her and those she loves into danger once again?

Lesley Kagen's gift for imbuing her child narrators with compelling authenticity shines as never before in Good Graces, a novel told with sensitivity, wit, and warmth.

©2011 Lesley Kagen. All rights reserved. (P)2011 AudioGO

Critic reviews

"For all the praise garnered for Whistling in the Dark, Good Graces more than lives up to its predecessor." ( School Library Journal)

"A...spot on sequel to her bestselling debut, Whistling in the Dark. Kagen does a remarkable job of balancing the goofiness of an eleven-year-old with the sinister plot points, creating a suspenseful yarn that still retains an air of genuine innocence. Readers who enjoyed the first story are in for a treat." ( Publishers Weekly)

" Good Graces deftly dwells in '60's Milwaukee. Through her preteen narrator, Sally O'Malley, she (Kagen) evokes the joys, sorrows and complexities of growing up." ( Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

"Spend happy hours following the O'Malley sisters through the sweltering summer of 1960 on Milwaukee's West Side. This humorous, passionate novel of childhood is full of evocative local detail and the lives of wild, smart children." ( Milwaukee magazine)

" Good Graces is filled with sensitivity and wit." ( Shepherd Express)

"In Good Graces the mix of light and dark is rendered with honesty, wit and savvy." ( The Morton Report)

Memory Lane

I've never been more entertained. Being Irish Catholic and born in the 60's , every word out of this talented author resonated deeply. I'm scrambling to find more jewels this creator might have hidden in my Easter basket that I didn't know about.

Amazing

This author has such away with words and vocabulary and phrases from the 60’s. I laughed and I was touched. I love that the author reads her own stories. She has a great voice and of course knows exactly how to give a passage it’s intended meaning.

The Author is the Perfect Narrator

The book is cute and funny on it's own but Leslies reading of it brings us right into the mind and thoughts of young Sally O'Malley. Wonderful!

Another wonderful book by Lesley Kagen

well written, exciting, fun and it takes you home like your part of the book. A few times I laughed out loud. well done.

worth the wait

Any additional comments?

I have to say that the wait for Good Graces was definitely worth it. I was able to read a galley of the book and was blown away at how good it was. Then when I listened it brought the book to life!!! I absolutely loved Whistling in the Dark and was anxiously awaiting the sequel . When reading Whistling in the Dark I felt like I was transported in time and that I became part of the O'Malley sisters lives. To be able to revisit these girls again in Good Graces was a gift that Kagen delivered with a giant bow. This is by far one of the greatest sequels ever written. I read nearly 100 books a year and there are very few books that resonate with me long after I read them. In that way, this book is a rare gem. The dialogue is spot on, being both serious and funny in perfect unison. You find yourself lost in the book due to the beautifully woven and intricate plot. You crave more and are not disappointed. Good Graces is the type of story that can only be written by an author that is authentic and truly gifted. Kagen has proven again that she deserves to be on the National Best Sellers List. This is a book that cannot be missed. It is everything that I hoped it would be and more. I look forward to seeing what else Kagen can dream up. She is truly one of the best authors out there. Preorder this book now, you will not be disappointed. If you have not read Whistling in the Dark make sure to get it and read it while you wait for Good Graces!!!

Great Coming of Age story!

The author did a great job of narration. Hope there is a third edition to this story!

95% the same as book 1

I like the first book and would have been upset if i had paid for this book. it is the same but with a different mystery that was ok to follow. I almost quit several times. but at the end I was glad I followed it through.

Just as Awesome as the First One

This book did not disappoint! The storyline was awesome and I loved it! Another book by Lesley Kagen that I hated to hit the pause button on!

awesome, delightful read

Lesley Kagan takes you back to an idyllic childhood filled w humor and terrific writing!

Great story!

Did not end as I thought it would….I liked the book and the author.