Join a book club that is reading Junie: A GMA Book Club Pick: A Novel!
Junie: A GMA Book Club Pick: A Novel
GOOD MORNING AMERICA BOOK CLUB PICK • A young girl must face a life-altering decision after awakening her sister’s ghost, navigating truths about love, friendship, and power as the Civil War looms.
“An enrapturing tale of survival . . . Eckstine has poured a ton of heart into her characters.”—The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“The richly textured prose quickly pulled me into [Junie’s] treacherous yet magical world.”—Charmaine Wilkerson, New York Times bestselling author of Black Cake
Sixteen years old and enslaved since she was born, Junie has spent her life on Bellereine Plantation in Alabama, cooking and cleaning alongside her family, and tending to the white master’s daughter, Violet. Her daydreams are filled with poetry and faraway worlds, while she spends her nights secretly roaming through the forest, consumed with grief over the sudden death of her older sister, Minnie.
When wealthy guests arrive from New Orleans, hinting at marriage for Violet and upending Junie’s life, she commits a desperate act—one that rouses Minnie’s spirit from the grave, tethered to this world unless Junie can free her. She enlists the aid of Caleb, the guests’ coachman, and their friendship soon becomes something more. Yet as long-held truths begin to crumble, she realizes Bellereine is harboring dark and horrifying secrets that can no longer be ignored.
With time ticking down, Junie begins to push against the harsh current that has controlled her entire life. As she grapples with an increasingly unfamiliar world in which she has little control, she is forced to ask herself: When we choose love and liberation, what must we leave behind?
“An enrapturing tale of survival . . . Eckstine has poured a ton of heart into her characters.”—The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“The richly textured prose quickly pulled me into [Junie’s] treacherous yet magical world.”—Charmaine Wilkerson, New York Times bestselling author of Black Cake
Sixteen years old and enslaved since she was born, Junie has spent her life on Bellereine Plantation in Alabama, cooking and cleaning alongside her family, and tending to the white master’s daughter, Violet. Her daydreams are filled with poetry and faraway worlds, while she spends her nights secretly roaming through the forest, consumed with grief over the sudden death of her older sister, Minnie.
When wealthy guests arrive from New Orleans, hinting at marriage for Violet and upending Junie’s life, she commits a desperate act—one that rouses Minnie’s spirit from the grave, tethered to this world unless Junie can free her. She enlists the aid of Caleb, the guests’ coachman, and their friendship soon becomes something more. Yet as long-held truths begin to crumble, she realizes Bellereine is harboring dark and horrifying secrets that can no longer be ignored.
With time ticking down, Junie begins to push against the harsh current that has controlled her entire life. As she grapples with an increasingly unfamiliar world in which she has little control, she is forced to ask herself: When we choose love and liberation, what must we leave behind?
BUY THE BOOK
These clubs recently read this book...
Community Reviews
I loved everything about this book even the small element of the romance and just the setting that it took place in. The historical fiction part of it and the setting is the best part it. Honestly, I just experienced so many emotion grief, anger , love and just kind of relief throughout the whole book it was just so many emotions in it that’s why I loved it so much!
Set against the backdrop of Alabama, "Junie" is a captivating coming-of-age tale that explores the unique relationship between a slave named Junie and her mistress, Violet. Their bond, blossoming from childhood, springs forth secrets and lessons, as Violet secretly teaches Junie how to read—a powerful gift that opens up a world of possibilities for her.
This heart-wrenching story delves deep into themes of drama, secrets, betrayal, and love, painting a vivid picture of resilience amidst adversity. As Junie learns to navigate the complexities of her world, she teaches us all about hope and the relentless pursuit of freedom.
If you're looking for a novel that’s rich in emotion and filled with the highs and lows of human relationships, "Junie" is a must-read!
“In this life we’re all just floating down the river. You might have somewhere you wanna be, but like it or not that rivers taking you where it wants to go. Fighting the current doesn’t don’t hurt the rive, it just wears you out.”
Junie was a fantastic read! I usually pass on these types of slavery based historical fiction novels, but with this stunning cover I was really intrigued and wanted to give it a try.Â
Junie is a 16 year old slave and is often described by her family as "carefree". It was meant to be a negative connotation because she was always getting into something, learning new things and daring to dream of a life unchained and free. I loved that learning to read opened her eyes to new possibilities beyond her circumstances.
The story started off a bit slow, but midway it completely captured my attention and I was fully immersed in Junie's world. I could feel her plight and how torn she was between wanting to flee with her family to a better life but being stuck and complacent because her family was paralyzed by fear. I loved that she had a loving guiding force to help set some epic things into motion in the end!! Mimi was the mvp! 👏🏾
I really enjoyed how the story blends multiple genres—historical fiction, romance, mystery, and a touch of magical realism—creating a truly captivating read. There was a whole heap of drama, secrets, scandals and betrayals happening on that Southern plantation. One of my favorite parts of Caleb and Junie’s budding romance, and how he wanted them to make room for love in the midst of the torment they lived in.
Junie is an impressive debut novel and I highly recommend it for a fully enthralling fictional experience! The more I discuss it and as I write my review, I love it even more. The narrator captured the essence of the story, emotions, and characters flawlessly! I loved reading and discussing with my monthly booksta buddy read crew! Thanks to @prhaudio for my ALC!
“It don’t matter how far you get, Junie. It matters that you try.”
See why thousands of readers are using Bookclubs to stay connected.