Junebug in Trouble

Junebug #3

by Alice Mead

Junebug hasn't seen his friend Robert since the family moved from their housing project in May. It's Labor Day weekend, reunion time, and Mama, Tasha, Harriet, and Junebug are off to the beach. Robert is there, but so is Trevor, another boy from the project. Trevor is a gang member; Trevor has a gun. With Junebug gone, Trevor has easily befriended Robert. Robert might even join Trevor's gang, the Rex. How can Junebug stop him? At the same time, Junebug wonders about his own father, who's been imprisoned for more than six years. Junebug longs to know him, to know that he's innocent – and that if he's not, Junebug won't necessarily turn out like him.

With all the spunk with which he made his dream come true in Junebug and assimilated a whole new life in Junebug and the Reverend, Alice Mead's ten-year-old hero sets out to save his friend and understand his father.

Junebug in Trouble is a 2003 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

146 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Alice Mead is the author of many books for young readers, as well as a painter and human rights advocate. Though confined to a wheelchair, she lives independently in Maine.

Reviews

[Joyfully Jules · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably my least favorite in the series. I did like the ending tho. How Junebug ultimately overcame his obstacles with honesty. :)

[Sonia Adams · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read the first book in the Junebug Series. I liked it then because it portrayed a young Black boy who was sensitive, observant, smart, and creative. In reading Junebug in Trouble, I didn't feel that same impulse of anticipation, desiring to know how the protagonist would overcome challenges set before him. I take into account that the novel was published in 2002 and that some of the social and cultural references may not be as interesting or relevant for some current young readers.

I took issue with the depiction of the parent-child relationships in the story. There were adult characters like Junebug's father and Robert's mother who were deeply flawed, but I wasn't convinced that they lacked the potential to redeem themselves or their roles as parents. Their presence in the story was just bleak. However, I appreciate the way Junebug's mother Harriet, Darnell, and Walter create a support system for Robert in spite of his mother's absence. I also like that Mead allows Junebug to establish supportive relationships with his mother, Darnell, and tenants at the senior residence where his mother works.

[Tychicusowens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Junebug is a great read for people who love unexpected turns! Junebug is a helpless kid growing up without a dad in his life. His mother is finding people to talk to for Junebug. Torwards the middle Junebug started to get curious about his father and does some pretty suprising stuff. When it was around the end JUnebug took up for someone who he was not suppose to.*(SPOILER ALERT)*
Junebug took a gun from a guy named trevor and took up for him and almost went to jail.

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Life is tough in New Haven. Ten-year-olds, Junebug and Robert, his friend from his former home on Auburn Street, are being recruited for a gang called the Rex,by Trevor. Almost thirteen-year-old Trevor acts older than he is. Even if you're a good kid, how many and what consequences will there be for Junebug who finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time? This could be great for reluctant readers who are looking for something edgy (i.e. Orca books, Bluford High).

[Lisa Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book

[Hunter]

I thought the book was very good because it taught a lot of kids lessons like maybe you should listen to your parents. For example if your parents tell you to not hangout with some don't because your parents know better. They have been in that position before where you shouldn't hang out with someone. Like in the book when Junebug got into trouble because he was hanging around Trevor and Trevor gets into trouble a lot. Than Junebug hung around him and got into trouble.