Junonia

By: Kevin Henkes

Narrated by: Stina Nielsen

Returning to the beach cottage—a cottage named Scallop—where she has always celebrated her birthday is a special occasion for Alice Rice.

Who will see the first dolphin this time? The first pelican? What will have changed? Stayed the same? And will this be the year she finally finds a junonia shell?

Alice's friends are all returning, too. And she's certain her parents have the best party planned for her. Alice can't wait. If Alice is lucky, everything will be absolutely perfect. Will Alice be lucky?

Multiple award-winning and New York Times bestselling author Kevin Henkes brings his insightful, gentle, real-world insight to middle grade novels, including:

• Billy Miller Makes a Wish
• Bird Lake Moon
• The Birthday Room
• Junonia
• Olive's Ocean
• Protecting Marie
• Sun & Spoon
• Sweeping Up the Heart
• Two Under Par
• Words of Stone
• The Year of Billy Miller
• The Zebra Wall

Brings Back Memories

My daughter and I have been going to Sanibel Island for years. We enjoyed listening to Junonia on a road trip one day. My daughter related to the main character since they are about the same age. We have renewed hope in finding a Junonia on our next trip!

poignant

I love how reading Kevin Henkes makes me feel so many sense memories of what it was like to be turning 10. Vulnerable hopes, pangs of injustice, budding empathy, small flashes of learning how to love yourself and life just as it is.

Good book

Would you listen to Junonia again? Why?

I might. I mostly purchased it for a reading roundtable clollege class. It was a good book with some important lessons for young girls.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Junonia?

When Alice finds her missing spoon and realizes she blamed the little girl for something she did not do. This is a powerful lesson!

What does Stina Nielsen bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Selfishness. Learning that its not always about you and in life you dont always get what you want.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Not an extreme reaction but it did make me chuckle in a few spots.

Any additional comments?

The ending seemed rushed and a little cliched. Overall the book is a good book and worth the read.