REVIEWS

These are just a few reviews of my book.  It pleases me to know I have caused a few smiles, and especially to know I have made a few children want to read!

I got this email yesterday, and it made my day!  Cassie is a kindergarten teacher. She came to one of my readings in a park. She bought a book, and when school started back, she arranged for a school visit.  Her students, and the entire school, was amazing! Imagine my surprise when I received a book in the mail that her class had made for me!  They titled it It’s OK, Phoenix. Each of them had written a suggestion for a way Phoenix could get over the loss of Punkin, and had drawn a picture related to it. They had even bound it and made a cover for it.  You have never seen a grown woman cry like I did when I read it!  What a blessing these kids were to me!

Sondra,
What a pleasant surprise to hear from you again. I am thrilled to hear that you have your new book 

on its way. I can't wait to read it. As the school year starts to come together, I will most definitely 

be getting in touch with you. I will talk to the librarian soon; it is always a true blessing to have a 

real author in our school! Thank you so much for all you do for young readers everywhere.

Thanks again,

Cassie

Thank you so much, Cassie!  That’s what it’s all about.

This review was posted on Amazon and Barnes and Noble by Jen Carle, author of Finally Winsome and Becoming Waldo:

“According to Punkin” By Sondra Gray is a charming and funny story about being taken in by a husband and wife trucking team through the perspective of the cat~ Punkin.

The Grays take Punkin in when they discover her malnourished and fearful state at a loading dock. Punkin realizes she has found her “forever family” and embraces her new life as a trucker. It is evident that Punkin loves her humans as much as they love her, and she takes her job as the “Watch Cat” very seriously by using her kitty intuition to sniff out problems that are sometimes associated with life on the road.

This is a funny and sweet book, and the narration by Punkin is a fun twist by the writer. Children and adults alike will truly enjoy this story

Thank you, Jen for the wonderful review.  You brought a huge smile to my face!

I received this message and was very honored:

according to punkin

I am an elementary librarian, and I met you last year at the MASL conference. I just wanted to let you know that I have just finished reading Punkin to 12 first grade classes, and they thoroughly enjoyed it! We tracked the states that Punkin visited on a large map, which allowed me to bring a little Social Studies into our lessons each week. I am excited about Phoenix going into publication.

Thank you for the kind words, Linda!  Keep up the good work incorporating Social Studies into the story.  There are many math problems in it also!

Another email that made my day:

Dear gray family,  I loved your book.  It was the most inspiring fun loving book I have ever read. If you remember I told you I was not much of a book reader, but this book I could not put down. I think Punkin is the cutest and bravest cat I have ever known, coming face to face with I tiger to waking up to a “strange looking cat.” I can’t find the words to describe how I felt when I read the book.  There where times where my eyes where watering, like when Punkin thought you where going to leave here at the dock and she said it was the best time of her life. My eyes started to water. I have only read the book but I feel like like you two and Punkin are part of my family. I would love the opportunity to meet you again.  I know you guys will not be back through albuquerque for a while but when you do just keep me in mind. Maybe we can meet at the truck stop and have coffee if I am not at work. I can not wait to read According to Pheonix. Well I must be going now I wish all of you the best of luck and a safe journey.  My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Thank you, James!

And one student had this to say:

Thank you, Kelly!

To hear this from a student is wonderful!

I love the fact that adults seem to enjoy the book as much as children!

Hi Sondra!

Well, I read the whole story all the way through as soon as it arrived, as I couldn’t put it down.  That Punkin really knows how to tell a good tale!    Annie was on my lap the whole time (being petted, of course), as always when I read or watch TV.  Annie has never learned to travel with us, but the next kitty we adopt will be brought up to go along with us in the 5th wheel.  I love it that a cats can be as effective as dogs in alerting their humans to danger — I don’t know which part I liked best: when Punkin woke up Dad during the theft, or when Dad got glitter in his beard!  The whole story was very captivating, and you are an excellent writer.  It’s a wonderful read for the young and young-at-heart alike. . . .

Renee, you make me feel special!!

I could go on and on.  I never get tired of reading the wonderful emails, cards and letters!   It’s a wonderful life!!