Juniper Berry, A Student Review

 

Reviewed by Hannah

Juniper Berry 

Author: M.P Kozlowsky
Published by Harper Collins
Publishing Date:  4/26/11
227 Pages
A Maine Student Book Award Book 2012-2013

Summary

Juniper Berry is a story about an eleven year old girl named Juniper. She lives with her dog Kitty and her parents. Her parents are HUGE movie stars and are very rich. They live in a huge mansion with Juniper and her dog. One of the many things that confuses Juniper is that her parents were never this famous. Her family used to be very kind and happy. Now her parents hardly even notice that Juniper is there. Juniper is dying for excitement and someone to play with [besides her dog]. Her mother and father have been acting very strange lately. I guess you would say more to themselves, but Juniper is determined to find out what changed their personalities.

    

     One day she is playing in the rain with Kitty, when Kitty finds a small boy about Juniper's age on their lawn. Juniper is surprised that there was another person living near her as a neighbor since Juniper has never been outside of the property gates. Juniper is worried for the boy because he is just standing there looking lost and lonely in the cold pouring rain. She finds out that his name is Giles, and why he is out in the pouring rain. He seems to have the same problem Juniper has about their parents. Together they meet a person possibly over hundreds of years old and together they find out what has happened to the parents. They go underground to a secret tunnel and almost do not live because of a certain person. Juniper and Giles have many adventures.

     This book made me very happy and sad at times. I believe that every book has a good ending. I think the theme in Juniper Berry is friendship and adventure. Friendship because Juniper learns how important it is to have a friend and someone who is always there for you. Adventure because Juniper and Giles go on many adventures together. I absolutely LOVED Juniper Berry and I think you will too.

A Student Review of Juniper Berry

  Reviewed by Mia 

Author: M.P Kozlowsky
Published by Harper Collins
Publishing Date:  4/26/11
227 Pages
A Maine Student Book Award Book 2012-2013
    
Summary
Juniper Berry is a girl who has parents that do not really care about her anymore.  Juniper remembers when she was younger, before her parents became famous. Her parents never acted like this. Now, her parents are always yelling at her or ignoring her. Juniper is sad, very sad. One day Juniper goes out to play a game with her dog, Kitty. Kitty went into the woods to a very suspicious looking tree. That is where she meets a boy named Giles who is having the same problem with his parents.
    Giles told Juniper that he followed his parents into the woods to this very tree. They talked about why they might be going there and Juniper started to investigate.
     That night Juniper heard her parents get up out of bed, so she got up with them. She followed them down to the same tree. Then Juniper saw them sucking in the air of a balloon and disappearing down into the tree. She thought this was very strange.
    One thing Juniper noticed was that there was a black raven at that tree every time she went to it. I do not want to spoil the ending, but I will tell you some important events in the story. 

    In the Middle of the story Juniper finds a way into the tree with Giles. Also, they found some very mysterious letters that Juniper thinks her father wrote.
     Also in the tree lives Skeksyl, a very mean and persuasive person. He is very sly and sneaky and lives off of souls. The tree is also where she meets the man who makes the balloons and where she spies on her parents.
    Juniper wants her parents to care about her again and she wants them to notice her.  But her parents have been brainwashed into wanting to be famous by magical balloons and a mysterious, old man. Now they only care about their jobs. She needs to use teamwork to get her parents back to normal.
     One theme in this story is teamwork because Giles and Juniper need to work to save their parents and to get them back to normal. Another theme in this story is friendship because along the way, in between all of this confusion, Juniper and Giles form a friendship.
    
My Thoughts
    I rate this story 5/5 stars because I think it is absolutely outstanding. I could not put it down. This book is action packed and full of adventure.  It is written with excellent descriptions that make you feel sad, mad and happy.     
I think boys and girls ages 9-12 would enjoy this book. Also if you like scary, suspenseful stories this is definitely the book for you.
I hope you like Juniper Berry! 

Check out the book trailer.