*I'm a huge fan of Tracy Holczer. I can remember reading her first novel The Secret Hum of a Daisy and being blown away. I was thrilled when Tracy's second novel won a Charlotte Huck Book Award. Hearing about an upcoming third novel made this reader quite pleased. After being granted an electronic ARC of the story, I began to read immediately and couldn't put the book down. Tracy never disappoints and sure knows how to write a middle-grade story.
What It Is About - FIVE Things You Need to Know:
*Juni is missing her older brother Connor who has gone missing in action in Afghanistan.
*She comes from a family full of curses, along with a miracle or two.
*When Juni's parents decide not to keep Connor's beloved dog, Juni goes on a journey that will not only change her life, but also those people closest to her.
*During her quest, Juni learns of her grandmother's "curse" and "miracle" and relives a trek very similar to the one her dear grandma took.
*With a family dealing with the greatest possible loss, Juni finds the courage, strength, and determination to face her own loss and comes to terms with both the past and her current situation.
What I Thought Of It - Five Observations/Reflections:
*I'm so pleased to have been granted access to an electronic ARC of Tracy's newest work of fiction. My TBR pile is bigger than ever, but I put them all aside to read from one of my favorite authors.
*As soon as I began, I knew I was in for a special treat. Tracy has a way with words that force me to reread sentences, paragraphs, and whole pages. I want to take in, absorb, and appreciate the language she presents on the page.
*Juni was one special character and will remain in my heart for quite some time. I could feel her pain, frustration, and revelations.
*There were a few occasions when I had tears streaming down my face. If that isn't a sign of a powerful, meaningful, and thoughtful story, than I don't know what is.
*I always say, add a dog to a story, and I'm 100% in. Connor's dog brought such joy and depth to the story. I'm not sure who I loved more, the dog or the people in the dog's life.
Who Should Read It:
*EVERYONE! This is one of those stories that needs to be read by young, teen, and adult readers alike. I already know this is going to be a class read aloud during the 2020/2021 school year. The novel will be out in the world in January 2021 and I can't wait to get my hands on a physical copy of the book. Happy Reading!
*EVERYONE! This is one of those stories that needs to be read by young, teen, and adult readers alike. I already know this is going to be a class read aloud during the 2020/2021 school year. The novel will be out in the world in January 2021 and I can't wait to get my hands on a physical copy of the book. Happy Reading!
Rating: 5 STARS out of 5 Stars
From your review, Juni sounds like a character I want to get to know. This book is high on my must read list.
ReplyDelete