Monday, May 2, 2011

Junonia

If you have a ten-year-old to shop for, a perfect gift may be Junonia by Kevin Henkes.

This gem tells the story of Alice who is turning ten years old while vacationing in Florida. Every year that Alice and her family visit Scallop, everything is the same. Alice looks forward to seeing the same friends, playing on the same beach, and looking for the elusive junonia shell.

But this year, one friend is snowed in and can't come. Aunt Kate (not Alice's 'real' aunt) is bringing her boyfriend and his daughter, Mallory. Mallory also brings someone new, her doll Munchkey.

Alice is determined to have the best birthday ever even if things have changed. After all, Alice is undergoing the biggest change herself...turning ten! Double digits!

Alice experiences a wide range of emotions in the book--from happiness and elation about her vacation and upcoming birthday--to hatred and jealousy of the newcomers to the beach--to resentment--to compassion. Readers will watch Alice undergo these emotions yet champion through each one of them with determination and gumption in a way only a ten-year-old can.

Be sure to look for Junonia on shelves May 24 , 2011.

Watch Kevin talk about Junonia HERE.

Kevin Henkes has written numerous books for middle grade readers including my favorites: Sun and Spoon, Protecting Marie, and Words of Stone. He has also written numerous picture books for younger readers. Check out my four-year-old daughter's favorites: Kitten's First Full Moon, A Good Day, and his newest Little White Rabbit.

Click HERE to visit his website.

Happy Reading!

Mrs. T :)


P.S. Reading is like breathing chocolate air!

3 comments:

  1. I love, love, love Kevin Henkes. Words of Stone is great and his picture book Julius The Baby of the World about a jealous older sibling was one of my daughter's all-time favorites. In first grade she used to write out in longhand the complete text. And she's an only child!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I can't wait for this one. I thought about requesting it on NetGalley, but my to read pile is so big! Thanks for posting to Book Talk Tuesday!
    Kelly

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks for the comments, Catherine and Kelly.

    Catherine - My four year-old loves loves loves Kevin Henkes, too! She has Kitten's First Full Moon memorized. Now she is loving Little White Rabbit. Adorable picture book! If Kevin Henkes ever visits close to us, we will be the first in line to meet him!

    ReplyDelete