Junonia

I might have missed this quiet story had a children's bookseller not pressed it into my hands. (When I described my then 10-year-old's taste she said it would be perfect for her. Thank you, Square Books, Jr.!) Alice is looking forward to celebrating her tenth birthday as she and her family head back to their cottage on Sanibel Island, Florida for summer vacation. She anticipates the unwelcome ways this trip will be different from last year's and wonders whether she’ll finally find an elusive junonia shell. This contemplative book explores the way Alice navigates the changes in her world, from friends growing up and apart to those in the perplexing world of adults, all while holding on to her hopes for the perfect birthday party. It's not for kids who need action-packed plots but will be a wonderful fit for the right reader, young or old.