Karen Roberts

The Journal News

Through December, reporters will be looking back at and following up on stories and topics that were the most popular with our readers in 2017, according to metrics on lohud.com. This story is part of that series.

2017 was another busy year for Rockland’s most famous teenager.

Thirteen-year-old singer Grace VanderWaal is kicking back for the holidays after a whirlwind year of recording, touring and winning her first Teen Choice Award.

In November, she released her first full-length album, "Just The Beginning," but this Suffern teen has been on a whirlwind ride for awhile now.

The ukelele player and singer first mesmerized audiences in June 2016 with her appearance on "America's Got Talent." She went on to win the grand prize of $1 million on the reality competition show, along with a recording contract and comparisons to singer Taylor Swift.

She got her tree house this spring after a little controversy.

MORE GRACE: Singer gets her treehouse

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GRACE VANDERWAAL wins Teen Choice Award

In May, the VanderWaals had to go before the Village of Wesley Hills before construction could begin. They got their permits and the finished project, done courtesy of Animal Planet's Treehouse Masters, includes two separate tree houses spanning across five backyard trees.

Fans enjoyed her first EP entitled “Perfectly Imperfect” which made the top 10 on iTunes. Songs like "Sick of Being Told," and her first release, "I Don't Know My Name," got the attention of old and new fans.

In August, VanderWaal won "Choice Next Big Thing," from the Teen Choice Awards. She's also garnered the "Rising Star Award," from Billboard's Women in Music.

Throughout the year, she played benefit concerts and became the youngest musician to have a Fender signature model for her ukuleles.

And she's about to embark on an 11-city tour that begins in February.

We caught up with VanderWaal this week to find out what else fans can expect for the coming year.

It’s been a busy year. Any favorite moments? My favorite moments have been being in the studio and making friends, writing and touring. I think my favorites have been the tour and getting to perform for and meet all of my fans.

What is your schedule like now that you album has come out? So busy! Promotions, meeting fans, album signings at Charming Charlie’s (a jewelery and accessories chain). It’s a lot! Especially with the tour.

What will you be doing for the holidays? Spending time with family and resting.

Do you get to still hang out with friends? Not really, but I try my best when I’m not working or in school.

Anything you want fans to know? I’m working with a foundation that I created called Little Miracles, and it’s for schools that don’t have music programs. It’s actually a show choir, and their name is Little Miracles. The first one I started is in East Ramapo School District. I gave away some scholarships and we also donate ukuleles as well through my Fender partnership, but it’s generally the show choir. I love show choir! I’m actually seeing their first show very soon. The first show is in January.

Twitter: @krhudsonvalley