Juniper’s Christmas Discussion Questions and Book Review
Juniper’s Christmas by Eoin Colfer is a fun take on the magic that happens during the Christmas season. Part fantasy, part science, and lots of fun, this book is a great choice for the holidays.
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Juniper’s Christmas
Eoin Colfer
Genre: Fantasy Fiction
Length: 368 pages
First Published: 2023
View on Amazon | View on Goodreads
Publisher’s Description: Juniper’s Christmas
“Eleven-year-old Juniper Lane is thrown into a Christmas adventure like no other when she seeks the help of a mysterious woodsman living in her local park, who she suspects is Santa himself, and accidentally gets exposed to North Pole magic.
Join a boisterous cast of characters―including a neighbor who always believed in Santa, a young reindeer in training, and a cutthroat crime boss out to steal Santa’s magic―on an unpredictable journey bursting with Eoin Colfer’s signature exuberance and merriment.
Complete with cheerful, festive illustrations, this is a beautifully packaged tale of wonder, sure to delight readers and inspire the Christmas spirit in the whole family.”
My Goodreads Review
Juniper Lane’s mom has gone missing and the search for her has thrown Juniper into a Christmas adventure that she didn’t anticipate. She seeks out a mysterious woodsman living nearby because she is certain he can help her. She realizes he isn’t who he seems to be and begins to suspect he is Santa Claus, who has been missing from the holidays for almost a decade. Now Juniper finds herself accidentally exposed to North Pole magic while trying to prevent a local crime ring from stealing Santa’s magical sack. Oh yeah…and she still needs to find her mom. This fantastic Christmas story will delight readers of all ages.
One of my favorite things about this book is the cast of characters. They were varied in age, personality, and uniqueness. There was also a ton of humor and silly antics. Even the crime boss behaves in such a way to keep the reader smiling.
I adored Juniper. She is bold, confident, and determined. I had no doubt that she would achieve her goals even when all hope seemed to be lost. Her primary support in the book comes from an older homeless woman who has become friends with Juniper’s mom. Their friendship gives Juniper the encouragement and support she needs to find her mother.
Ultimately, this book captures the spirit of love, giving, and community that is central to so many Christmas traditions. I am thrilled to add this one to my Christmas shelf.
Celebrate the holidays with a story of hope, magic, and saving Santa Claus, from a celebrated author beloved for his spirited storytelling. Juniper’s Christmas is the perfect holiday read, year after year.
My Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Juniper’s Christmas: Discussion Questions for Your Homeschool Study
1. Reread the first two sentences in this book. What is surprising about the way the book begins? Why is Santa’s story a tragedy?
2. What are some of the ways that Christmas magic is explained in this book? (think about Santa’s bag, Santa’s Boots, Santa slow time, spangles, imprinting, and more) How is Christmas magic used to solve the problems in the story?
3. What do you think is the real magic of the Christmas season according to this author?
Homeschooling With Books: Discussion Questions To Help You Get Started
Grab this set of questions designed to facilitate a great discussion about any book with your kids:
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She believes that creativity, laughter, and fun are the backbone for engaging and inspiring homeschools. You can find her encouragement and tips on this blog, Mary Hanna Wilson.
She is an enneagram 7 and an extrovert. She enjoys traveling, tea (iced or hot), good conversations, and books. You can connect with her on Instagram and Facebook.
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