Juniper Berry



Evan, Jenna and I recently finished reading Juniper Berry by M.P. Kozlowsky.  It was the latest in our bedtime reading ritual.  I like to choose a chapter book of length that I think they would both enjoy.  Translated:   no references to smelly bodily functions (for Jenna) and no overly-exaggerated OMG's about who went to who's sleepover (for Evan).

Juniper Berry was released back in April and it's been on my radar for a while.  We just had not gotten to it until this fall.  The teaser on the front jacket describes this book as "a tale of terror and temptation."  How ironic that we finally got around to reading this book during the spookiest time of the year!

I especially like the single sentence on the back cover:
"Be careful what you wish for."

Let me just say that this is a great book.  In my opinion, anytime you have your kids begging you to keep reading, you have succeeded.  I'm so grateful that all of my children enjoy listening to me read to them.  Sometimes at the end of a cliff-hanger chapter, we'll contemplate what we think will happen next or how the story will eventually end.  One time, during one of these conversations, someone spilled too many beans and I realized that someone had read ahead and really did know what was going to happen next.  It was at that point that I had to begin hiding the book so we'd all be on the same page.  Literally!

I don't want to spill too many beans here about Juniper Berry but I will say that at the end of the book, we were provided with some truly thought-provoking discussion.  There was a true moral lesson in doing the right thing and sacrificing your own desires for the betterment of others.  I think it was a good reinforcement of what we're all trying to (or should be trying to) teach our children.

All in all, a great read for or with your 'tween kids.  The link at the top of this post takes you to the book on Amazon, or check it out at your local library.