Changes

It doesn't sound like much of a life, does it? But actually, Grace is very happy. She basks in the love of two affectionate parents and she has a particularly close bond with her father who encourages her inquisitive nature and loves nothing better than to answer her questions - about life, love, God, even metaphysics. Grace's father likes to ask questions too. But the Elders aren't big on questions. Submission, obedience and acceptance are their bywords, and questions are more like heresies to them.

I pick up a new Morris Gleitzman book with a smile on my face. Always. He never lets me down. And, of course, he hasn't let me down with ''Grace''. It's a lovely little book with a deeply sympathetic character, a lightness of touch, and some laughs along its way. But of course, it's also deadly serious - with its themes of religious sects and intolerance, authoritarianism, the status of women, and the strength of loving family bonds.