In the dingy Auburn Street project where Junebug lives, ten is the age when young boys start joining gangs and helping drug dealers. Junebug has watched his friend, Darnell, drift away in a sleek, dark-windowed car. He has seen his Aunt Jolita, surrounded by a cloud of jewelry and perfume, strut off with silent gang leaders. Junebug's mother works hard to keep him and his little sister safe. So do the librarian and the tutor who set up a reading room in the basement of the graffiti-coated apartment building. But Junebug is afraid; his tenth birthday is coming up soon. Alice Mead is a former teacher in inner-city schools. In Junebug, she gently portrays a dangerous world as seen through the eyes of a child who refuses to give up his optimism and hope. The voice of narrator Peter Francis James adds a warmth to this tale that allows Junebug to step from the page into the listener's heart.
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"I really like this story. Another quick read. It is about a young boy that lives in the projects surrounded by gangs, drug and violence. All he wants is for his family to be safe... Will he find a way to keep them safe or will he give in to the life of a gangster? Read it to find out!"
— Cheney (4 out of 5 stars)
A warm and inspiring tale…Readers will be rooting for Junebug and his dreams all the way.”
— Kirkus Reviews" This book was very insightful and I love the character Junebug. "
— Alicia, 11/12/2013" if i could give this book triple stars, i would "
— Estelle, 10/1/2013" I thought junebug was a great book. I would reconmmend this book to anyone. "
— Rogersc203, 7/27/2013" Its Wasnt Really Good Because It Didnt Make Any Sence To Me . "
— Monica, 5/14/2013Alice Mead is the author of several novels, including the Junebug books and another story of Kosovo, Adem’s Cross, an ALA Best Book for Young Adults. She lives in Maine.
Peter Francis James is an accomplished actor on both the stage and the screen. His theater credits include roles in On Golden Pond, Much Ado about Nothing, and August Wilson’s Gem of the Ocean. His many film and television credits include Jahfree Neema in Oz, Raymond Parks in The Rosa Parks Story, Joe Gould’s Secret, The Guiding Light, Law & Order: SVU, and Third Watch. James’ audiobook narration has won him nine AudioFile Earphones Awards.