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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
Loveable characters:
Yes
Ive read this 2x. When I was a 15 and now again at 22. Love it just as much. No spoilers coming from me. Read to find out an adventure of mystery but love.
"I believed everything my daddy told me until I walked into Walmart and saw my picture on a poster..."
This blurb on the back of June Bug by Chris Fabry caught my eye. Then I noticed that the book was a modern-day retelling of Les Miserables. I loved following June Bug and her dad along their trip to discover who they were and what their stories were.
This blurb on the back of June Bug by Chris Fabry caught my eye. Then I noticed that the book was a modern-day retelling of Les Miserables. I loved following June Bug and her dad along their trip to discover who they were and what their stories were.
Powerful, intense, well written story. I was glued from page 1 to the end.
I have so many problems with this book, I don't know where to begin! Actually, the beginning is okay. June Bug is an appealing 9-year-old character and Fabry sets up what should be a compelling mystery - June Bug sees her own image on a Missing Child poster in a Walmart. But Fabry's plot skips and trips along with a variety of back story that has no purpose, inconsistent characters, numerous reverential comments on Walmart ("I swear, if I didn't have Walmart, I don't know what I would have done" in reference to getting oh-so-hard-to-find diapers!), and statements that sound profound but have no meaning in themselves or in the story ("There were some things you simply couldn't pave over, and life was one of them"). Add a sometimes overbearing Christian bent and an unsatisfying conclusion and, well, even though the other members of my book club found this an enjoyable read, I was just plain annoyed.
The ending of this book was tragic. That a mother could plan that for her child-and interesting in this time of Casey Anthony (whether she did it or not). And then blame her own mother.
I didn’t really enjoy the book. It wasn’t horrible by any means, but it just didn’t stick with me.
June Bug was a great character and portrayed well. I liked Johnson but felt that he wasn’t as mysterious as the author had intended so the fuse was slightly burned out. The characters were likeable and the concept interesting but I felt that the story as a whole fell short. As you go on in the story, you know with more and more certainty that Johnson wasn’t involved in anything completely bad. You weren’t sure exactly what had happened but you knew that he wasn’t at any fault. I liked that the story took the idea that family is about love, not blood. But the constant spelling it out was overbearing.
I wasn’t happy with the end at all-how June Bug never gets to see Johnson again after that moment. With all that he had done and the emotion invested in the relationship between the two, they should have got that happily ever after.
The story shows both ends of humanity-the ex-military man who saves a baby from drowning to the mother who kills her daughter. The grandmother who never gives up hope and the nice Walmart manager to the truck driver that robs you blind. I think that was the only thing I really enjoyed about the story-the ends of the spectrum people that you can meet.
I didn’t really enjoy the book. It wasn’t horrible by any means, but it just didn’t stick with me.
June Bug was a great character and portrayed well. I liked Johnson but felt that he wasn’t as mysterious as the author had intended so the fuse was slightly burned out. The characters were likeable and the concept interesting but I felt that the story as a whole fell short. As you go on in the story, you know with more and more certainty that Johnson wasn’t involved in anything completely bad. You weren’t sure exactly what had happened but you knew that he wasn’t at any fault. I liked that the story took the idea that family is about love, not blood. But the constant spelling it out was overbearing.
I wasn’t happy with the end at all-how June Bug never gets to see Johnson again after that moment. With all that he had done and the emotion invested in the relationship between the two, they should have got that happily ever after.
The story shows both ends of humanity-the ex-military man who saves a baby from drowning to the mother who kills her daughter. The grandmother who never gives up hope and the nice Walmart manager to the truck driver that robs you blind. I think that was the only thing I really enjoyed about the story-the ends of the spectrum people that you can meet.
I mistakenly thought that this was a Children's book. Obviously I did not do my research properly, since it definitely wasn't! But it also turned out to be a Christian book which was a pleasant surprise.
It wasn't all dandelions and happy thoughts. There were several things that were hard to read. But, oh! It was such a sweet story! The ending made me cry. A book hasn't made me cry in a while; I usually just tear up. It was so bittersweet... though I wish it had been a little more complete.
It wasn't all dandelions and happy thoughts. There were several things that were hard to read. But, oh! It was such a sweet story! The ending made me cry. A book hasn't made me cry in a while; I usually just tear up. It was so bittersweet... though I wish it had been a little more complete.
June Bug has spent her life driving the back roads of America with her dad in an old RV, often staying in Wal-Mart parking lots at night. Their nomadic existence is happy, but when June Bug walks into a Wal-Mart one day and sees her own face looking back at her from a missing child poster, she learns that there are secrets her father has never shared with her.
That discovery fills her with questions and ultimately sends them both back to Dogwood, West Virginia where June Bug finds answers and her father finds himself. June Bug's voice is almost too mature for a 9-year old girl. But, her narration is compelling and sprinkled with rich, wonderful details and observations. Full of strong, often delightful, characters, this is not a predictable story and it's certainly one that you will be reluctant to put down.
I've seen this novel compared to Les Miserables, and I have to agree with that comparison. John is the Valjean character: a good man who has had his share of difficulties. Mrs. Linderman takes the role of the Bishop, presenting John with something valuable to help him start a new life. Little June Bug is Cosette, rescued from a tragic situation to become a beloved daughter.
A lovely, enthralling story. Christian without being preachy. Definitely recommended.
That discovery fills her with questions and ultimately sends them both back to Dogwood, West Virginia where June Bug finds answers and her father finds himself. June Bug's voice is almost too mature for a 9-year old girl. But, her narration is compelling and sprinkled with rich, wonderful details and observations. Full of strong, often delightful, characters, this is not a predictable story and it's certainly one that you will be reluctant to put down.
I've seen this novel compared to Les Miserables, and I have to agree with that comparison. John is the Valjean character: a good man who has had his share of difficulties. Mrs. Linderman takes the role of the Bishop, presenting John with something valuable to help him start a new life. Little June Bug is Cosette, rescued from a tragic situation to become a beloved daughter.
A lovely, enthralling story. Christian without being preachy. Definitely recommended.
I liked this book. I didn't just love it and I have no idea why. It really was good..it was easy to read and sweet. Maybe a little on the cheesy side.