cboddie's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
5th-8th
librarianaaryn's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
fredasvoice's review
slow-paced
3.5
I feel like this story was a bunch of metaphors, and that's okay.
Juniper is an interesting character. So is her family. They live off the grid, due to societal pressures. When they go into the grid, life becomes topsy-turvy.
At times, you feel like they do not have the tools to cope with society and you learn quickly you are wrong. They may not have it all together, but their theories are beautiful and innocent.
I liked this story. I'm just not sure everyone else will. This is geared to middle grade readers. They will enjoy a magical story about a girl who lives in the woods, but they won't understand the teachings which were so lovely.
Have them read it anyway.
cathy_acasefullofbooks's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.0
This book was so fun! I'm definitely sharing it with my 9 year old.
Juniper Berry has always lived off the grid in the woods with her parents, older sister, and younger brother. Her parents have taught her that "society" is full of mean people who pressure you into becoming someone you're not.
One day, her little brother gets so sick that they have to take him to a hospital. During his prolonged hospital stay, Juniper and her sister stay with their uncle and cousins and discover a new side of life. Juniper isn't sure if society is better than the woods, what with all the rules and the bullies.
I really loved Juniper. She had so much confidence, curiosity, and loyalty. The way she related things and people in society back to her experience living in the woods was so interesting.
I appreciated how the book tackled some tougher subjects without getting too dark for a children's book - things like bullying, major illness of a family member, difficult family relationships, etc.
*Thank you to Shadow Mountain Publishing for sending me a review copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
Juniper Berry has always lived off the grid in the woods with her parents, older sister, and younger brother. Her parents have taught her that "society" is full of mean people who pressure you into becoming someone you're not.
One day, her little brother gets so sick that they have to take him to a hospital. During his prolonged hospital stay, Juniper and her sister stay with their uncle and cousins and discover a new side of life. Juniper isn't sure if society is better than the woods, what with all the rules and the bullies.
I really loved Juniper. She had so much confidence, curiosity, and loyalty. The way she related things and people in society back to her experience living in the woods was so interesting.
I appreciated how the book tackled some tougher subjects without getting too dark for a children's book - things like bullying, major illness of a family member, difficult family relationships, etc.
*Thank you to Shadow Mountain Publishing for sending me a review copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
cathgrin's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book had a great premise, a family entering 'society' after living off the land for years when the youngest son gets sick and they need medical attention. They move in with their relatives and discover the wonders and difficulties of living in modern society where there are washing machines, pizza and bullies.
Aspects of the story were really well done: I loved the tight family unit, Junipers discovery of modern amenities we take for granted, and her indignant reactions to bullies at school. At times, it felt like it was trying to cover too much - you've got societal pressures, conservation, climate change, bullying, social media, familial traumas, medical traumas, siblings growing apart, intergenerational relationships, financial issues, friendship issues, the list goes on. The ending wrapped up nice and neatly in classic middle-grade style.
An overall ambitious book that I wish had looked in the mirror and taken something off before it left the house.
Aspects of the story were really well done: I loved the tight family unit, Junipers discovery of modern amenities we take for granted, and her indignant reactions to bullies at school. At times, it felt like it was trying to cover too much - you've got societal pressures, conservation, climate change, bullying, social media, familial traumas, medical traumas, siblings growing apart, intergenerational relationships, financial issues, friendship issues, the list goes on. The ending wrapped up nice and neatly in classic middle-grade style.
An overall ambitious book that I wish had looked in the mirror and taken something off before it left the house.
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