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Juniper: The Girl Who Was Born Too Soon
A micro-preemie fights for survival in this extraordinary and gorgeously told memoir by her parents, both award-winning journalists.
Juniper French was born four months early, at 23 weeks' gestation. She weighed 1 pound, 4 ounces, and her twiggy body was the length of a Barbie doll. Her head was smaller than a tennis ball, her skin was nearly translucent, and through her chest you could see her flickering heart. Babies like Juniper, born at the edge of viability, trigger the Which is the greater act of love -- to save her, or to let her go?
Kelley and Thomas French chose to fight for Juniper's life, and this is their incredible tale. In one exquisite memoir, the authors explore the border between what is possible and what is right. They marvel at the science that conceived and sustained their daughter and the love that made the difference. They probe the bond between a mother and a baby, between a husband and a wife. They trace the journey of their family from its fragile beginning to the miraculous survival of their now thriving daughter.
Juniper French was born four months early, at 23 weeks' gestation. She weighed 1 pound, 4 ounces, and her twiggy body was the length of a Barbie doll. Her head was smaller than a tennis ball, her skin was nearly translucent, and through her chest you could see her flickering heart. Babies like Juniper, born at the edge of viability, trigger the Which is the greater act of love -- to save her, or to let her go?
Kelley and Thomas French chose to fight for Juniper's life, and this is their incredible tale. In one exquisite memoir, the authors explore the border between what is possible and what is right. They marvel at the science that conceived and sustained their daughter and the love that made the difference. They probe the bond between a mother and a baby, between a husband and a wife. They trace the journey of their family from its fragile beginning to the miraculous survival of their now thriving daughter.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published September 13, 2016
165 people are currently reading
3520 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 319 reviews
December 13, 2019
I don’t know why I downloaded this Audiobook.
Not really. The cute cover maybe? I knew ‘nothing’ about it.
I’m reminded- again- of the advantage of having a library card, an iPhone, and the Overdrive app. There is no financial risk with ‘blind-faith-chance’ downloading of a book. (audio or ebook).
If it’s a dud, so what.. I can return it.
This was NOT A DUD!
It’s a phenomenal memoir. I learned a lot.
Award-winning journalists - a married couple....Kelly and Thomas French, alternated in telling their story.
From the very start of this Audiobook- I was interested.
My ears perked up right away when I learned it took place in
in Saint Petersburg, Florida —
I smiled again when I learned that Thomas French had seen Bruce Springsteen 70 times.
Kelly had my attention with her passion for all living things; her commitment to save a dying baby bird was above and beyond what most people would have done. She WOULD NOT LET IT DIE!!!
I’m sure she told this baby bird story to give us a very clear idea of what type of woman she was. NOT TO BE MESSED WITH!!!
The more we learn about Kelly and Tom ‘together’ - as a couple - seemed very unlikely!
The odds for a successful relationship were against them. Everything about the two of them - as a match’ looked liked FAILURE 101.
Then.....
comes a bigger story about the ‘odds’ of them having a normal healthy baby! The background story to even get pregnant- and their present day struggles were a story ‘itself’..
but once we’re smack into the reality about the pregnancy of ‘Baby Juniper’.... all other struggles looked liked baby size peas.
The details in this book are OUTRAGEOUSLY DESCRIPTIVE > educational and engrossing. The medical science was forthright.
All that is involved for a micro-preemie to survive - was flooring!!! Things I had never even thought about.
Gotta love the nurses who work with preemies.
The harrowing emotions of the parents were insanely indescribable.
The ‘balance’ between the ‘medical/science’ descriptions - side-by-side with the emotional upheavals of each parent was very well done.
It helped that both Kelly & Tom were notable writers. They knew how to craft engaging reading like pros! ( Pulitzer Prize winner for Tom)....
It was enjoyable to get a wider context about each of them. I liked their humanness- their flaws - their anger- their sassy naughty thoughts: ( a nine pound newborn has no right to cry, thought Kelly)...
OUCH!! But....one can be forgiving of her mean thought when her baby was hanging by a thread to survive at 1 pound. Kelly’s nasty thoughts of comparison were ugly. I wanted to wash her mouth out with soap and water—-yet her bitterness understandable ( in a moments passing), with her own distress.
Thomas and Kelly French were simply interesting people to spend time listening to!
And - *Baby Juniper*....she really does take your heart... her tiny size body had ‘strength’ ... it was incredibly moving! I fell in love with her too!
FOR ALL AUDIOBOOK LOVERS: THIS BOOK HOLDS YOUR ATTENTION!
Many tidbits to enjoy: the hospital staff -the backstory about Tom and Kelly’s relationship- their raw honesty- Harry Potter story hour- playful moments of dressing their tiny size sweet girl-
to the more serious aspects of ‘everything’ involving premature babies.... (controversies and risks looked at from every point of view)
Baby Juniper beat the odds!!!
A beautiful heartfelt memoir
Not really. The cute cover maybe? I knew ‘nothing’ about it.
I’m reminded- again- of the advantage of having a library card, an iPhone, and the Overdrive app. There is no financial risk with ‘blind-faith-chance’ downloading of a book. (audio or ebook).
If it’s a dud, so what.. I can return it.
This was NOT A DUD!
It’s a phenomenal memoir. I learned a lot.
Award-winning journalists - a married couple....Kelly and Thomas French, alternated in telling their story.
From the very start of this Audiobook- I was interested.
My ears perked up right away when I learned it took place in
in Saint Petersburg, Florida —
I smiled again when I learned that Thomas French had seen Bruce Springsteen 70 times.
Kelly had my attention with her passion for all living things; her commitment to save a dying baby bird was above and beyond what most people would have done. She WOULD NOT LET IT DIE!!!
I’m sure she told this baby bird story to give us a very clear idea of what type of woman she was. NOT TO BE MESSED WITH!!!
The more we learn about Kelly and Tom ‘together’ - as a couple - seemed very unlikely!
The odds for a successful relationship were against them. Everything about the two of them - as a match’ looked liked FAILURE 101.
Then.....
comes a bigger story about the ‘odds’ of them having a normal healthy baby! The background story to even get pregnant- and their present day struggles were a story ‘itself’..
but once we’re smack into the reality about the pregnancy of ‘Baby Juniper’.... all other struggles looked liked baby size peas.
The details in this book are OUTRAGEOUSLY DESCRIPTIVE > educational and engrossing. The medical science was forthright.
All that is involved for a micro-preemie to survive - was flooring!!! Things I had never even thought about.
Gotta love the nurses who work with preemies.
The harrowing emotions of the parents were insanely indescribable.
The ‘balance’ between the ‘medical/science’ descriptions - side-by-side with the emotional upheavals of each parent was very well done.
It helped that both Kelly & Tom were notable writers. They knew how to craft engaging reading like pros! ( Pulitzer Prize winner for Tom)....
It was enjoyable to get a wider context about each of them. I liked their humanness- their flaws - their anger- their sassy naughty thoughts: ( a nine pound newborn has no right to cry, thought Kelly)...
OUCH!! But....one can be forgiving of her mean thought when her baby was hanging by a thread to survive at 1 pound. Kelly’s nasty thoughts of comparison were ugly. I wanted to wash her mouth out with soap and water—-yet her bitterness understandable ( in a moments passing), with her own distress.
Thomas and Kelly French were simply interesting people to spend time listening to!
And - *Baby Juniper*....she really does take your heart... her tiny size body had ‘strength’ ... it was incredibly moving! I fell in love with her too!
FOR ALL AUDIOBOOK LOVERS: THIS BOOK HOLDS YOUR ATTENTION!
Many tidbits to enjoy: the hospital staff -the backstory about Tom and Kelly’s relationship- their raw honesty- Harry Potter story hour- playful moments of dressing their tiny size sweet girl-
to the more serious aspects of ‘everything’ involving premature babies.... (controversies and risks looked at from every point of view)
Baby Juniper beat the odds!!!
A beautiful heartfelt memoir
September 28, 2016
I could not quit reading this book. I honestly didn't do anything I was supposed to do for an entire day. I was 100% enthralled with the journey of this family's experiences with their precious micro-premie, Junebug. Once she started grabbing on to her parents' pinkies, I just knew she was going to have the necessary spunk to survive. At least I hoped she would. Her survival instinct and her parents' proactive stances sure did help. Yet for me, the hours Tom spent reading Harry Potter to her were the most touching. I believe that she was comforted by his reading voice, hour after hour. Many of the nurses who care for these tiniest babies deserve sainthood. Each day they fall in love and have their hearts broken on the roller coaster that is NICU.
It doesn't hurt that both of her parents are award-winning journalists who know how to tell a story. Their telling is honest (even when it occasionally makes them look bad), gorgeous and downright scary. They had to relive the worst moments of their daughter's early life in order to share her story. I, for one, am truly grateful for the telling.
This book also made me rethink my own feelings about what we can/should do to keep micro-preemies alive. It's so easy to have an opinion when you don't have much knowledge (Trump). It's so much harder when you are given first hand insight. I look forward to discussing this book with my book club early in 2017.
It doesn't hurt that both of her parents are award-winning journalists who know how to tell a story. Their telling is honest (even when it occasionally makes them look bad), gorgeous and downright scary. They had to relive the worst moments of their daughter's early life in order to share her story. I, for one, am truly grateful for the telling.
This book also made me rethink my own feelings about what we can/should do to keep micro-preemies alive. It's so easy to have an opinion when you don't have much knowledge (Trump). It's so much harder when you are given first hand insight. I look forward to discussing this book with my book club early in 2017.
September 8, 2016
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
I found it difficult to rate this book. There were some parts that were 5 star touching and there were some parts that were so bothersome that I wanted throw the book across the room. Let's start with the touching and positive. This book for the most part was about Juniper's struggle to live and the journey her parents had to take along with her. That part of the book was beautiful, touching and raw open emotions. To hear about all the difficulties that little life had to endure and how heartbreaking it must have been for her parents to watch, I can't even fathom. The human spirit and the will to go on was so beautiful in this book and I really enjoyed reading it.
I felt that Tom grew throughout the book. Although he had been a father to, two grown boys already this situation they were in with Juniper was completely different. I thought his progression and life lesson about how precious life is was absolutely beautiful. He took the time to read to his tiny baby every time he was there even though she didn't understand the words, but just so she knew he was there and she was not alone.
Kelley on the other hand was a different story. I could not help but be angered by her throughout most of the entire book. She never seemed to grow in fact she seemed to get more spoiled brat-ish throughout the story. They found themselves in this situation with Juniper, being a micro preemie because of Kelley's mistakes. I could not understand how after all the failed attempts and trouble that she went through to conceive Juniper, that she would be as careless as she was. Her attempts in the book at humor came off very bratty and not funny to me. I felt offended that she walked passed the babies in the nursery and called them fatty's because her baby was only a tiny being. My son spent time in the NICU too, and I never acted the way that she did. I never resented the other babies because mine was having difficulties. Listen, I know that we all deal with things differently, and this may have been her coping mechanism and I could accept that if her entire tone of the book was not this way. I didn't feel that with all the struggle and strife they hand to endure that she ever grew as a person.
On top of that there were two references to Cops and Religion that I didn't appreciate or think belonged in the book.
So overall, I think that any parent that has experienced life with a micro preemie would definitely enjoy reading this. It will be very relatable for them. I don't think it was a bad book at all, there were just some things that I did not care for and dragged the book down a bit for me. I still think it's an enjoyable read about how precious life is and the struggle to live.
I found it difficult to rate this book. There were some parts that were 5 star touching and there were some parts that were so bothersome that I wanted throw the book across the room. Let's start with the touching and positive. This book for the most part was about Juniper's struggle to live and the journey her parents had to take along with her. That part of the book was beautiful, touching and raw open emotions. To hear about all the difficulties that little life had to endure and how heartbreaking it must have been for her parents to watch, I can't even fathom. The human spirit and the will to go on was so beautiful in this book and I really enjoyed reading it.
I felt that Tom grew throughout the book. Although he had been a father to, two grown boys already this situation they were in with Juniper was completely different. I thought his progression and life lesson about how precious life is was absolutely beautiful. He took the time to read to his tiny baby every time he was there even though she didn't understand the words, but just so she knew he was there and she was not alone.
Kelley on the other hand was a different story. I could not help but be angered by her throughout most of the entire book. She never seemed to grow in fact she seemed to get more spoiled brat-ish throughout the story. They found themselves in this situation with Juniper, being a micro preemie because of Kelley's mistakes. I could not understand how after all the failed attempts and trouble that she went through to conceive Juniper, that she would be as careless as she was. Her attempts in the book at humor came off very bratty and not funny to me. I felt offended that she walked passed the babies in the nursery and called them fatty's because her baby was only a tiny being. My son spent time in the NICU too, and I never acted the way that she did. I never resented the other babies because mine was having difficulties. Listen, I know that we all deal with things differently, and this may have been her coping mechanism and I could accept that if her entire tone of the book was not this way. I didn't feel that with all the struggle and strife they hand to endure that she ever grew as a person.
On top of that there were two references to Cops and Religion that I didn't appreciate or think belonged in the book.
So overall, I think that any parent that has experienced life with a micro preemie would definitely enjoy reading this. It will be very relatable for them. I don't think it was a bad book at all, there were just some things that I did not care for and dragged the book down a bit for me. I still think it's an enjoyable read about how precious life is and the struggle to live.
November 4, 2017
Juniper is the star of this story!
Her parents are flawed as we all are, but one thing is certain is that they loved their baby and they were incredibly kind to the medical team. The infiltrated PICC line, the PICC line in the heart which caused a blood clot to form in her heart. Horrid medical mistakes!
I skipped the parts where they went on and on about their feelings.
I am an NICU nurse and I appreciate the way they presented the medical team. It was respectful. The jokes about the term newborns being fat and huge like Godzilla in the NICU were funny and made me laugh out loud.
Juniper is a miracle, I haven’t heard of a baby spontaneously healing from necrotizing enterocolitis!
Her parents are flawed as we all are, but one thing is certain is that they loved their baby and they were incredibly kind to the medical team. The infiltrated PICC line, the PICC line in the heart which caused a blood clot to form in her heart. Horrid medical mistakes!
I skipped the parts where they went on and on about their feelings.
I am an NICU nurse and I appreciate the way they presented the medical team. It was respectful. The jokes about the term newborns being fat and huge like Godzilla in the NICU were funny and made me laugh out loud.
Juniper is a miracle, I haven’t heard of a baby spontaneously healing from necrotizing enterocolitis!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 20, 2016
As a podcast, this story moved me to tears. But as a book, it provided distasteful backstory on Tom and Kelley French, who spent at least a year sneaking behind his then-girlfriend's back - a move that is passed off as a love story (?), and about the huge health risks Kelley selfishly took while pregnant. Bike riding and full-contact rottweiler racing (!!) are expressly prohibited by ob-gyns - and for good reason. Her recklessness nearly killed her beautiful daughter, and likely destroyed the premiums of whoever else was unlucky enough to share her insurance plan. All in all, a book beautifully written ... by raging narcissists.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 21, 2017
So. Very. Wonderful. I am currently pregnant with a baby that I know will have problems when it's born. Reading about a baby born so premature that they jumped from one complication to another made me SO thankful that our baby will (most likely) be born full term, and only have 1 problem. I can deal with one problem. This book helped me come to terms with the struggles of being a mom to a special baby, and all of the struggles and joys encompased in that. Solid 10/10. Would recommend to fans of non-fiction and/or babies.
July 4, 2017
Sadly, I read a beautiful essay by Kelley about this event and thought I'd like to read the book. I was wrong. I couldn't get over the cheating and selfishness that took place at the beginning. I didn't have an empathy for Tom at all. This book just wasn't for me.
September 21, 2016
There will be a lot said about this book in journalism circles and medical ethics circles. But at its core, this is a book about love. About the love a wife has for her husband. About the love a mother, and father, have for their daughter.
In one way, it was an easy read because the prose was impeccable. But we all know that easy reading is difficult writing and I commend the authors for their style and voice. In another way, it was difficult and unflinching, a draining read. It's a story of people in crisis, a couple colliding with mortality and the worst questions adults could ever face. I'm glad they — and beautiful Juniper — lived to tell the story.
It's a pure love story, and for that, you should read it.
In one way, it was an easy read because the prose was impeccable. But we all know that easy reading is difficult writing and I commend the authors for their style and voice. In another way, it was difficult and unflinching, a draining read. It's a story of people in crisis, a couple colliding with mortality and the worst questions adults could ever face. I'm glad they — and beautiful Juniper — lived to tell the story.
It's a pure love story, and for that, you should read it.
February 6, 2017
First, I despised these parents. I hated their love story, which I think they think was deep and profound. It wasn't. It was a relationship rooted in cheating and lying. I can see so clearly why Tom was divorced. He clearly is a narcissist that can't co-exist with someone else. Then when he realized "oh sh*t, I am old and this is the only young chick that's going to want me" he quickly gets on board with the relationship and marriage. Even the way the baby was conceived I felt ick about. It just didn't sit right with me. I won't get into the ethics here but suffice it to say it wouldn't be my choice.
Second, I am guessing here but I thinks it's pretty clear that these are people who would be on board for 3rd term abortions. Oh the irony, that they should be faced with the decision of whether or not to save their 2nd term daughter. In this I do feel for them because really there are no right answers and I don't think there could be anything much harder than making these decisions.
What I did love about the story is how is demonstrates that all life is valuable. I was surprised to see God's name in this book. These are people that seem to be without belief or religion. While I don't think they really have a belief in God, they did acknowledge that their daughters life and survival was a miracle.
While these people were arrogant, elitists that I would likely not be able to stomach being in the same room with I did enjoy learning about their story.
Second, I am guessing here but I thinks it's pretty clear that these are people who would be on board for 3rd term abortions. Oh the irony, that they should be faced with the decision of whether or not to save their 2nd term daughter. In this I do feel for them because really there are no right answers and I don't think there could be anything much harder than making these decisions.
What I did love about the story is how is demonstrates that all life is valuable. I was surprised to see God's name in this book. These are people that seem to be without belief or religion. While I don't think they really have a belief in God, they did acknowledge that their daughters life and survival was a miracle.
While these people were arrogant, elitists that I would likely not be able to stomach being in the same room with I did enjoy learning about their story.
November 18, 2017
Un omagiu adus vietii, universului si lui Dumnezeu! La prima vedere e totul doar despre fetita Juniper, despre ghinionul de a se naste prematur si despre tenacitatea cu care s-a luptat pentru a supravietui. In final, e despre parinti, despre dragostea neconditionata cu care-si iubesc copiii,
despre sacrificiile pe care le fac si despre alegerile aparent mici care fac diferenta dintre viata si moarte. Nimic nu ar fi posibil fara cunoasterea si informatiile pe care stiinta le-a adus in medicina si, mai ales, fara efortul si munca sustinuta a unor oameni care nu renunta si fac posibile adevarate miracole.
despre sacrificiile pe care le fac si despre alegerile aparent mici care fac diferenta dintre viata si moarte. Nimic nu ar fi posibil fara cunoasterea si informatiile pe care stiinta le-a adus in medicina si, mai ales, fara efortul si munca sustinuta a unor oameni care nu renunta si fac posibile adevarate miracole.
September 27, 2016
Thank You for Telling Our Story
What a beautiful tribute to the force that is Juniper! We too have a child who was born too soon (27-weeks) and I can't begin to explain the parallels of our story and that of the French's. Makes me wonder if, in some ways, this is the story of everyone who survives the NICU? Thank you to the authors for making us feel less alone in this whirlwind. Your words have helped heal an immense struggle. To you and all the other parents of babies with rough starts, our hearts are with you.
What a beautiful tribute to the force that is Juniper! We too have a child who was born too soon (27-weeks) and I can't begin to explain the parallels of our story and that of the French's. Makes me wonder if, in some ways, this is the story of everyone who survives the NICU? Thank you to the authors for making us feel less alone in this whirlwind. Your words have helped heal an immense struggle. To you and all the other parents of babies with rough starts, our hearts are with you.
August 7, 2016
Oh my gosh...this book is so heart wrenching, and yet so heart warming! I couldn't believe the things I read about what preemies go through. I loved the severe and blunt way the authors wrote, after all they are also the parents of dear little Juniper. So many great and horrible things in this book...oh, and Harry Potter!!
May 26, 2021
Let's start with what I like:
- I liked having chapters from both mom and dad, seeing their different perspectives.
- I liked the staff of the hospital who were so nice and brilliant and amazing.
- I liked that little Juniper lived.
Reviewing nonfiction is so hard for me. When it comes to fiction reviews, it's fairly easy for me to rant and rave in favor of or against a character or plot, because none of it is real. You're not going to hurt anyone's feelings except for the unlikely event of the author seeing your review. With nonfiction, everyone in the book is real. How on earth do you review real people?
Well, I'll try. I found the parents in this book to be absolutely insufferable. I am very sorry that they went through this horrific experience, and I'm very glad their daughter lived. But I did not like them and that made it hard to like this book.
This includes, but is not limited to, instances like:
- Their relationship started with Tom going behind his girlfriend's back for TWO AND A HALF YEARS to be with Kelley secretly. This is recounted in a completely unapologetic way because they were meant to be or something. Not a great way to start when you're trying to build sympathy.
- I can't begin to imagine that toxic and awkward work environment when they were broken up or when Kelley starts creeping on the wife of one of her subordinates for an egg donation. (They happily agreed, but goodness, the way it was told just had a weirdness to it.)
- Rampant gender stereotyping when Kelley thinks for a split second she's going to have a boy or when Tom tells a baby Juniper that she can only like "princess bullshit" for a while. Jeez, not even out of the hospital or BORN and you're already deciding what your child can and can't be. I wonder what it would have been like if Juniper HAD been a boy, since they were so obsessed with having a girl. I'm not a parent, and I'm sure every parent has aspirations for what they want their child to be like. But it really seemed like they'd already made up their minds on what kind of person Juniper was going to be before she was even born, and, in Kelley's case, before she had even met Tom. Your child is his/her own person, not just an extension of you.
- Tom throwing in a casual NOT LIKE THE OTHER GUYS OBJECTIFYING WOMEN IS BAD comment when they're doing IVF and he has to, y'know, get some sperm. Calm down, dude, we're not here to judge on how feminist you are.
- Extreme judgement of other parents in the hospital. For example, Kelley identifying a tattooed woman in "stripper heels" as a bad mom because she dares to be on her cell phone sometimes when she's sitting near her baby daughter.
Those are some things that stood out to me. The writing certainly isn't bad. (Not surprising when it's coming from a pair of journalists. ) But it's really, REALLY hard to get invested in a story when you're so irritated with the people telling it.
- I liked having chapters from both mom and dad, seeing their different perspectives.
- I liked the staff of the hospital who were so nice and brilliant and amazing.
- I liked that little Juniper lived.
Reviewing nonfiction is so hard for me. When it comes to fiction reviews, it's fairly easy for me to rant and rave in favor of or against a character or plot, because none of it is real. You're not going to hurt anyone's feelings except for the unlikely event of the author seeing your review. With nonfiction, everyone in the book is real. How on earth do you review real people?
Well, I'll try. I found the parents in this book to be absolutely insufferable. I am very sorry that they went through this horrific experience, and I'm very glad their daughter lived. But I did not like them and that made it hard to like this book.
This includes, but is not limited to, instances like:
- Their relationship started with Tom going behind his girlfriend's back for TWO AND A HALF YEARS to be with Kelley secretly. This is recounted in a completely unapologetic way because they were meant to be or something. Not a great way to start when you're trying to build sympathy.
- I can't begin to imagine that toxic and awkward work environment when they were broken up or when Kelley starts creeping on the wife of one of her subordinates for an egg donation. (They happily agreed, but goodness, the way it was told just had a weirdness to it.)
- Rampant gender stereotyping when Kelley thinks for a split second she's going to have a boy or when Tom tells a baby Juniper that she can only like "princess bullshit" for a while. Jeez, not even out of the hospital or BORN and you're already deciding what your child can and can't be. I wonder what it would have been like if Juniper HAD been a boy, since they were so obsessed with having a girl. I'm not a parent, and I'm sure every parent has aspirations for what they want their child to be like. But it really seemed like they'd already made up their minds on what kind of person Juniper was going to be before she was even born, and, in Kelley's case, before she had even met Tom. Your child is his/her own person, not just an extension of you.
- Tom throwing in a casual NOT LIKE THE OTHER GUYS OBJECTIFYING WOMEN IS BAD comment when they're doing IVF and he has to, y'know, get some sperm. Calm down, dude, we're not here to judge on how feminist you are.
- Extreme judgement of other parents in the hospital. For example, Kelley identifying a tattooed woman in "stripper heels" as a bad mom because she dares to be on her cell phone sometimes when she's sitting near her baby daughter.
Those are some things that stood out to me. The writing certainly isn't bad. (Not surprising when it's coming from a pair of journalists. ) But it's really, REALLY hard to get invested in a story when you're so irritated with the people telling it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 27, 2016
I loved this book so much, I couldn't put it down and finished it in 3 days. It was so good and perfect, and I'm curious for someone else who didn't have a micro preemie to read it and see if they like it as much because so much of my own experience was in here. I wonder if you would like it Alison or if it'd be too close too home right now? Becky you should read this!! Anyway, some of my favorite or most interesting parts:
Previously any baby born weighing less than 2 lbs. (Eddie was 1 lb 13 oz, 12" long) was not considered viable and allowed to die. The authors baby was 1 lb 4 oz and 11" long (as long as a Barbie doll.) gestational age, not birth weight, is the key predictor of how a baby will do.
"None of our friends knew what kind of card to send. Were we celebrating or grieving? "Congratulations!" People said, but that didn't seem quite right."
"The most important indicator of how a child fared was the environment in which they grew up. Parents mattered even more than whether the babies had bled inside their brains...the brain recovers from its Perilous start. The biggest difference maker was whether the child had two parents, whether they grew up poor or comfortably middle class, and whether their mom had a solid education."
"Friends were committed to believing everything was fine now...'she's good now, right?' They would say. 'When's she coming home?' At first we tried to explain but for many of them the details from the hospital were too much. After ten minutes of listening politely, they would blink and look away and assure us she was a miracle."
"The early photos were hard to look at. I wanted to post them in her hospital room so that everyone who flowed through her room every day could see in an instant how far she'd come."
"Every day in the nicu was a dangerous day."
"The nicu, the least natural environment I'd ever encountered, felt like home now. I rarely asked when we could go home anymore. Here I was surrounded by a community of women who had every answer."
"Tom and I were uncomfortable imagining that it was as simple as God laying his finger in our baby's head, passing over some other baby along the way." So true. I was so so so grateful and blessed and happy that Eddie was okay but what about the other babies? Was Eddie more special than them or their families? It's a very strange feeling.
Previously any baby born weighing less than 2 lbs. (Eddie was 1 lb 13 oz, 12" long) was not considered viable and allowed to die. The authors baby was 1 lb 4 oz and 11" long (as long as a Barbie doll.) gestational age, not birth weight, is the key predictor of how a baby will do.
"None of our friends knew what kind of card to send. Were we celebrating or grieving? "Congratulations!" People said, but that didn't seem quite right."
"The most important indicator of how a child fared was the environment in which they grew up. Parents mattered even more than whether the babies had bled inside their brains...the brain recovers from its Perilous start. The biggest difference maker was whether the child had two parents, whether they grew up poor or comfortably middle class, and whether their mom had a solid education."
"Friends were committed to believing everything was fine now...'she's good now, right?' They would say. 'When's she coming home?' At first we tried to explain but for many of them the details from the hospital were too much. After ten minutes of listening politely, they would blink and look away and assure us she was a miracle."
"The early photos were hard to look at. I wanted to post them in her hospital room so that everyone who flowed through her room every day could see in an instant how far she'd come."
"Every day in the nicu was a dangerous day."
"The nicu, the least natural environment I'd ever encountered, felt like home now. I rarely asked when we could go home anymore. Here I was surrounded by a community of women who had every answer."
"Tom and I were uncomfortable imagining that it was as simple as God laying his finger in our baby's head, passing over some other baby along the way." So true. I was so so so grateful and blessed and happy that Eddie was okay but what about the other babies? Was Eddie more special than them or their families? It's a very strange feeling.
August 18, 2016
I received this book as an advanced copy at BookExpo America after I recognized the story from Radiolab. I had liked the condense version of this story in podcast form, so I thought why not pick up a copy of the book. This is actually the first time I've had a chance to read a book before it has been officially released in stores.
I know (or knew) next to nothing about preemies or really babies for that matter, so this was sort of an unusual pick for me to read, but I do like nonfiction here and there.
I like that the mother and father switched back and forth writing the story, and that they overlapped their narratives just enough, which made it interesting to see their different takes on their shared experience. It helps that they are both journalists, so they were good writers--remarkably similar in style/tone that it wasn't too jarring to go from one to the other, but with their own personalities still mixed in. Most of the narrative was quite engaging, and they explained all the ins and outs of their experience in good detail.
I thought they were both very honest about their experiences. They balanced their emotional turmoil with the medical and scientific things happening with/to their daughter. A few passages made me squeamish and want to skip ahead because I was getting nauseated reading it, but I did appreciate that they were telling the raw truth of the things that happened, and didn't try to sugarcoat it. But they never dwelled on it too long or got too far in the weeds with medical jargon; it was a great balance, and in the end a wonderful tribute to their daughter.
I know (or knew) next to nothing about preemies or really babies for that matter, so this was sort of an unusual pick for me to read, but I do like nonfiction here and there.
I like that the mother and father switched back and forth writing the story, and that they overlapped their narratives just enough, which made it interesting to see their different takes on their shared experience. It helps that they are both journalists, so they were good writers--remarkably similar in style/tone that it wasn't too jarring to go from one to the other, but with their own personalities still mixed in. Most of the narrative was quite engaging, and they explained all the ins and outs of their experience in good detail.
I thought they were both very honest about their experiences. They balanced their emotional turmoil with the medical and scientific things happening with/to their daughter. A few passages made me squeamish and want to skip ahead because I was getting nauseated reading it, but I did appreciate that they were telling the raw truth of the things that happened, and didn't try to sugarcoat it. But they never dwelled on it too long or got too far in the weeds with medical jargon; it was a great balance, and in the end a wonderful tribute to their daughter.
October 11, 2016
It's hard to rate a book with a personal description of such a harrowing experience. They told the story of their micro-preemie's survival (gosh! 24 weeks! I can't imagine--even with my own 30-weeker NICU experience). It is hard to capture trauma accurately and I applaud their attempt. This being said, I didn't particularly like them as people and I am positive we would not be friends. Much of their story grated on my nerves and it is difficult for me to believe there was no emotional fallout (once Juniper came home) from their experience. There's a whole story to the worry and support needed for preemies once they come home and I am shocked they don't mention this at all. Also, I know it helped them 'lighten the mood' but if anyone dressed my child in the NICU in doggie costumes, I would have smashed some skulls, but whatever gets you through, I guess.
November 18, 2016
Ultimately it was well-written, but I was disappointed by the narrative they chose to tell.
There was no science whatsoever! This memoir is nicely done if you want a book that helps you understand that it is awful to have a severely premature baby in the NICU for 6 months. Spoiler alert - it really is awful. Otherwise, it does nothing to enlighten the reader.
I think this book would have been stronger had less backstory (there are too many details of the long, tortuous path that Thomas and Kelly took to finally get together) and more medical and nursing detail of what was going on with Juniper. This is a love story, and I had hoped it would be a narrative non-fiction.
There was no science whatsoever! This memoir is nicely done if you want a book that helps you understand that it is awful to have a severely premature baby in the NICU for 6 months. Spoiler alert - it really is awful. Otherwise, it does nothing to enlighten the reader.
I think this book would have been stronger had less backstory (there are too many details of the long, tortuous path that Thomas and Kelly took to finally get together) and more medical and nursing detail of what was going on with Juniper. This is a love story, and I had hoped it would be a narrative non-fiction.
November 26, 2017
"Iubirea este miracolul, a spus el. Miracolul este simplul fapt că suntem în stare să ne iubim unii pe alții."
February 18, 2017
As the mom of former 24 week twins, of course the book pulled right at my heartstrings. I knew all the terms, all the emotions and remembered the rollercoaster ride of the NICU. I know what it felt like to bring your preemie baby home after all those months and I know how it felt to be given the memory box instead of a baby as my sons twin sister did not make it. Unlike other reviewers I like the parents. I thought they were honest, real, had a sense of humor (a must in this crazy life) and were admirable for the steadfast love and hope they had for their baby Juniper. It's just a good read about a families struggle, how they coped & the people that influenced their decisions and thoughts. I enjoyed reading about the personalities of the staff and how they meshed with the parents. Thank you for writing an an amazing and detailed story of your incredible journey.
December 11, 2017
Juniper s-a născut la 23 de săptămâni și 6 zile de sarcină. Pentru majoritatea medicilor, un astfel de copil este considerat neviabil și nu se încearcă mijloace specifice de asigurare a supraviețuirii.
Nu și pentru medicii de la Spitalul de Pediatrie All Children din Florida, nu și pentru părinții lui Juniper, Kelley și Thomas care și-au dorit cu disperare o fetiță. Împreună, ei o salvează pe ”fetița născută prea devreme” atât prin mijloace medicale, cât și prin dragostea, afecțiunea și sacrificiul lor.
Cartea este scrisă de cei doi părinți, de la momentul concepției (și acela foarte dificil, de vreme ce ea a luat ovulul de la o altă femeie) până la ieșirea din spital, trecând prin suferință, fericiri de moment, operații dificile și îngrijirea unor persoane deosebite.
O carte pentru părinții de pretutindeni.
Nu și pentru medicii de la Spitalul de Pediatrie All Children din Florida, nu și pentru părinții lui Juniper, Kelley și Thomas care și-au dorit cu disperare o fetiță. Împreună, ei o salvează pe ”fetița născută prea devreme” atât prin mijloace medicale, cât și prin dragostea, afecțiunea și sacrificiul lor.
Cartea este scrisă de cei doi părinți, de la momentul concepției (și acela foarte dificil, de vreme ce ea a luat ovulul de la o altă femeie) până la ieșirea din spital, trecând prin suferință, fericiri de moment, operații dificile și îngrijirea unor persoane deosebite.
O carte pentru părinții de pretutindeni.
September 20, 2017
Loved this book! The way Kelley and Tom shared their raw emotions touched my heart. And Juniper's strength was amazing! I couldn't wait to see how this part of her story ended. Thank you Kelley and Tom for sharing your story, I'll admit I looked Kelley up on Facebook and Juniper's beautiful pictures brought me to tears.
April 29, 2018
Beautiful story. Miracles really do happen ❤️ Felt connected as we had our oldest in the NICU, thankfully only 3 weeks, but forever grateful for all the NICU doctors and nurses. Special people.
March 8, 2024
Perfect read right before Libby’s second birthday 🩷 a true encapsulation of a terrifying and joyful experience that is the insulated time warp of a NICU stay. Everyone’s time there is so different and essentially the same.
December 6, 2016
I received this book for free through a giveaway from Goodreads.
Mixed feelings. I finished this book earlier today, and have been thinking about it since. I can't decide if I like it or not. Other reviewers commented on the touching story and the strong supporting characters throughout, namely the nurses and other hospital staff involved in caring for Juniper. These parts were my favorites, and there were specific sections, especially those about the Harry Potter reading sessions and other gems, that were four or five stars. But I also agree with other reviews, in that there were parts that irked me. Sometimes it was the flippant tone taken, or the judgments passed on others throughout, whether or not they were intended to be taken seriously.
Granted, I'm not a parent yet, and I've never had anyone close have a child spend significant time in a NICU. I purposely reminded myself of this throughout, because I don't know how I'd act as a parent, and I don't want to pass judgment on others going through such a difficult time.
So I'll leave my review at that. I would be curious to see if my perspective changes if I ever do have a child. I expect it would, but I don't know in what ways or to what extent. This is well written, and is the type of happy ending I enjoy, but I have a feeling I'll be sorting out my feelings about it for some time to come.
Mixed feelings. I finished this book earlier today, and have been thinking about it since. I can't decide if I like it or not. Other reviewers commented on the touching story and the strong supporting characters throughout, namely the nurses and other hospital staff involved in caring for Juniper. These parts were my favorites, and there were specific sections, especially those about the Harry Potter reading sessions and other gems, that were four or five stars. But I also agree with other reviews, in that there were parts that irked me. Sometimes it was the flippant tone taken, or the judgments passed on others throughout, whether or not they were intended to be taken seriously.
Granted, I'm not a parent yet, and I've never had anyone close have a child spend significant time in a NICU. I purposely reminded myself of this throughout, because I don't know how I'd act as a parent, and I don't want to pass judgment on others going through such a difficult time.
So I'll leave my review at that. I would be curious to see if my perspective changes if I ever do have a child. I expect it would, but I don't know in what ways or to what extent. This is well written, and is the type of happy ending I enjoy, but I have a feeling I'll be sorting out my feelings about it for some time to come.
January 1, 2017
As others have noted, I found this book hard to rate. Try as I might, I finally decided in disgust that I couldn't relate to the self absorbed arrogant attitude of entitlement throughout. As a person who lost several babies and who had numerous difficulties bringing into the world the ones that survived, I could not stomach Kelly's blase attitude about bike riding and full contact rotweiler dog racing that led to Juniper's early birth; especially after all the difficulties she had getting pregnant.
I found this couple's lack of moral compass more than I could tolerate. They carried on an affair for 2 1/2 years behind the back of the husband's girlfriend and justified it as ok because they were better or more entitled or special. They smirk and make fun of other nicu patients. They cloak it under literature and poetic license. Blah, blah.
I am glad their child survived I hope she has a good life with these self absorbed parents.
I found this couple's lack of moral compass more than I could tolerate. They carried on an affair for 2 1/2 years behind the back of the husband's girlfriend and justified it as ok because they were better or more entitled or special. They smirk and make fun of other nicu patients. They cloak it under literature and poetic license. Blah, blah.
I am glad their child survived I hope she has a good life with these self absorbed parents.
June 14, 2016
I read an advance review copy of this book from Edelweiss, it will be released in September. This is the compelling account of the months long struggle for life endured by the authors' micro preemie daughter, Juniper. The last time that I was so immersed in a nonfiction book was nearly 20 years ago when I read another book by Juniper's father Tom French, "South of Heaven". French and his wife are writing about their own lives in this book, allowing a depth of feeling uncommon in nonfiction. As the parent of a child with a chronic illness (one who was treated repeatedly at the same hospital featured in this book, oddly enough) I found a great many moments in this book quietly touching and reflective of my experience. This book is highly recommended for readers who appreciate excellence in nonfiction/memoir.
October 22, 2016
I really wasn't going to read this one because I didn't think I was going to be able to bear it. I had heard the parents interviewed on NPR for part of their interview(never do catch the whole thing) and I wasn't sure how things turn out. With so much sadness in the world these days I just couldn't take more tears...but this book was a gorgeous memoir that just lifted me up and kept me mesmerized the entire time. It brought me back to the time when my own grandson was in the NICU and I could somewhat relate to the scene; but not nearly to the fragility of their daughter. It was an incredible story and I loved them all from the beginning to the very last word. I totally recommend it. A love story to end all love stories. Their writing was superb and keeps your eyes just dancing across the page.
June 28, 2016
I had the hardest time putting this book down after receiving an advanced reading copy. During the times I wasn't reading, I was worrying about the battles Tom, Kelley, Juniper and the entire medical team were fighting. I love a story that pulls at your emotions and gives you a glimpse of what the authors were feeling at the time and this is definitely one of those stories. I too had a baby in the NICU, though not due to being a micro-preemie, and found myself reliving my own experience while reading. This book is a beautiful reminder to be grateful for what you have and the struggles you have overcome to get where you are. Miracles do happen and Juniper is most certainly one of them.
March 27, 2017
Could not put down saga of what can happen at the narrowest margin of viability in a premature infant. The parents alternate a very frank series of chapters of their relationship, fertility struggles, and approach to the tremendous upheaval of their harrowing experiences in the NICU. Memorable nurses and doctors abound, and serious questions of medical care at the very beginning of life are examined. Cried often. Tried not to judge throughout. As a would-be grandparent in just a week or two, perhaps not the safest choice of reading material for me on a recent bus trip. But oh, the meaning of life!
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