I will never look at a red latex balloon the same again!
"A Tale of Terror and Temptation" is the phrase on the cover of Juniper Berry, and it's right on the money. This clever Middle Grade book takes you on a modern-day morality tale, with precocious Juniper Berry as the guide.
My 8 year old son read the first chapter and handed Juniper Berry back to me saying, "It's for girls!" Well, I am a girl, sure, but I have to totally disagree with him!
Juniper encounters a new friend, Giles, and together they take a journey which leads them to dark and scary places. Their successful parents are "just not right" and they are determined to find out why. The pair follow their parents to an underworld where a frightening creature makes them tempting offers of wealth, strength, wisdom and adventure. But at what price? Only after they push their deepest fears, and selfish desires, aside and fight against a horrible evil, can they get their parents back.
I had chills while reading this book! Unfortunately, I only got to see a few of the illustrations by Erwin Madrid in the ARC, but the imagery of a few of the particularly scary scenes makes me eager to see the finished product!
Not only was I scared out of my wits, but I was also reminded that the choice between what is right and what is easy is never easy - a lesson boys and girls of any age could learn!
*I got carried away with the exclamation points on this review...but I just couldn't help myself!!
Book Extras:
About the Book:
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 240 pages
Publisher: Walden Pond Press (April 26, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0061998699
ISBN-13: 978-0061998690
About the Author:
M.P. Kozlowsky was a high school English teacher before becoming a writer. Juniper Berry is his first book. He lives in New York with his wife and daughter.
About the Illustrator:
Erwin Madrid was born in the Philippines in 1978 and grew up in San Jose, California. In May 2003, Erwin earned his BFA in Illustration from the Academy of Art College in San Francisco, CA. During his last semester of college, Erwin was hired by PDI/DreamWorks Animation where he contributed production illustrations for the animated feature film, Shrek 2. He later became a visual development artist for the ongoing Shrek franchise and the Madagascar sequel. Erwin has also done conceptual art for the video game industry for titles like Uncharted: Drake's Fortune. In his spare time, Erwin travels and paints whenever he has a chance. He currently lives in the Bay Area where he continues to provide concept art for the entertainment industry.
*Disclosure: A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
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1 comments:
This one is definitely going on the list for my daughter! I thing she's going to love it. ~sallyb
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