The Invincible Summer of Juniper Jones

Praise

“A gorgeous, memorable story that deserves a place on both school and public library shelves.” —School Library Journal, Starred Review

“. . . one incredible book about a summer that changed so many lives” —Book Nerd Cafe

“The underlying message of the story – that friendship is possible despite differences, and that everyone has the right to respect – is one that resonates as much today as it did in the Alabama of 1955.” —Canadian Review of Materials

“McQueen weaves a heartfelt narrative that examines friendship, otherness, and forgiveness” —Booklist

“[A] powerful . . . story of friendship, respect and compassion.”—Ms. Magazine

“Heart-breaking and well written, THE INVINCIBLE SUMMER OF JUNIPER JONES is a YA historical fiction about racism, friendship, and the events that are indelibly printed on our souls.”—YA Book Central

“McQueen deftly balances the rollicking summer adventures of Ethan and Juniper with the gravity of racial discrimination; Ethan’s wrenching initiation into what it means to be Black in the United States is handled with candor and force…. The book provides a nuanced look at its characters’ turmoil, guilt, fury, and love.”—Boston Globe

“In the foreground of McQueen’s novel are characters so vulnerable, their emotional complexities mirror those we struggle with and cherish in our own lives. McQueen’s writing also reveals the precarious balance between hope and sorrow related to these controversial themes.”—Shelf Awareness for Readers

“Readers aged 12 and up will laugh and cry their way through this illuminating story.” —Calgary Herald