June Bug

"I believed everything my daddy told me until I walked into [...] and saw my picture on a poster." If that sentence grabbed your attention, you're not the only one! This novel is fabulous. I'll never again believe that men aren't great writers. Remember how at writing workshops the presenter tells us how to motivate boys to write because they hate it so much. Lately I've read more great novels by men than women! June Bug, the nine year old girl in this story, has spent her whole life on the road with her daddy. And as much as she loves him she wants to know about her mom as well, but dad doesn't talk about her much. Her father is a strong, quiet man who drives all over the country in a beat up RV trying to forget the past and do his best to raise his daughter, a very special girl whom he calls June Bug. Except June Bug isn't really his daughter and now that she's seen a photo of herself along with her real name on a missing poster at [...], she's as determined as ever to find out the truth. I ruined my reading experience with this novel by reading ahead. I couldn't help myself. Since when are abductors good guys? We read about these men all over the news and they're [...], right? I couldn't imagine a positive ending to this story, so I read ahead. Bad idea. This novel has been nabbed as a "modern interpretation" of Victor Hugo's Les Miserables and not without reason. For the sake of not spoiling the plot I won't go into details, it'll ruin the surprising ending of how June Bug and her "daddy" met. Suffice to say that not having been able to imagine a pleasant ending I was very satisfied. Everything falls into place perfectly, perhaps to perfectly. It's bittersweet and wonderful. I cried more than once reading it, but I'm a sissy when it comes to emotional books. No doubt it'll tug at your heartstrings as well. I must add that Chris Fabry writes with a golden pen; it's simply captivating. He makes the smallest details interesting. I found myself reading a lot of passages twice. June Bug is a keeper. A perfect, worthwhile addition for any home or school library. You can be sure I'll be looking for any future releases from this author. My one and only quibble about the book were the lengthy `back-stories' without dialogue, they dragged out for me. Still, I highly recommend the book by giving it 5 out of 5 stars.

June Bug left the finger print of God's love on my heart and in my mind. I haven't read anything so riveting and unforgettable since Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. Chris Fabry has penned a remarkable love story; one that's filled with sacrifice, hope and forgiveness! Chris takes his time in developing his rich, endearing, three-dimensional characters that seem to jump off the pages and into your heart! You won't be able to resist June Bug's charm, honesty and wonder. You'll be spell bound by her fun-loving, inquisitive nature. She's a girl that tells it like she sees it. She's giving, friendly, and fun listen to. She says, "They say there is a peace that passes all understanding, and that it's available to anybody who wants it. I believe in Jesus and I know he lives in my heart, ...Sometimes having Jesus in your heart makes you feel good all over, like you know there's somebody who loves you no matter what." June Bug discovers the unimaginable in Wal-Mart one day, "When I went back out and looked again, there was no doubt in my mind. That was me up there behind the glass. And I couldn't figure out a good way to ask Daddy why he had lied to me or why he called me June bug instead of Natalie Edward." Chris has an authenticity in his writing style that brings June Bugs child like innocence to life. Her tale is so dynamic, yet simple it's like you're right there experiencing the love, joy, mystery and disappointments right along with her. You'll delight in what Chris has created with his vivid array of characters in this powerfully-moving journey of a little girl who discovers her haunting past. June Bug has learned to smell the flowers along this amazing journey with a father that has given up everything to show a great love to her in the middle of what could have been a horrific situation. Don't rush through this story but savor every page. You'll want to buy two copies of this book, one to put in your library and one to share with your friends, because you'll definitely be telling everyone about this fascinating story you stayed up late reading. Finding Hope Through Fiction Book Club Servant Leader

June Bug is a 9 yr old girl that travels the country in an RV with her dad. For the most part she enjoys her lifestyle although she occasionally wishes for sleepovers with friends and other 'normal' girl things. One day she sees a missing child poster in Walmart that looks just like her and she begins to wonder more about her past and why they're always on the move. About this same time, a car belonging to a woman whose daughter disappeared 7 years ago is pulled from a lake in West Virginia. The missing toddler's grandmother has never given up hope and law enforcement brings someone in for questioning based on a tip. The two story lines are woven together to create suspense and one is left guessing until nearly the end as to how the two are connected. This book has well developed characters that make errors in judgement and a great plot that doesn't have a cookie cutter ending. The cover says June Bug is a retelling of Les Miserables but I've not read the novel to make a comparison. I recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a crime drama (without gory details) with family relationships and an occasional reference to Christianity mixed in.

June Bug has spent her life driving the back roads of America with her dad in an old RV, often staying in Wal-Mart parking lots at night. Their nomadic existence is happy, but when June Bug walks into a Wal-Mart one day and sees her own face looking back at her from a missing child poster, she learns that there are secrets her father has never shared with her. That discovery fills her with questions and ultimately sends them both back to Dogwood, West Virginia where June Bug finds answers and her father finds himself. June Bug's voice is almost too mature for a 9-year old girl. But, her narration is compelling and sprinkled with rich, wonderful details and observations. Full of strong, often delightful, characters, this is not a predictable story and it's certainly one that you will be reluctant to put down. I've seen this novel compared to Les Miserables, and I have to agree with that comparison. John is the Valjean character: a good man who has had his share of difficulties. Mrs. Linderman takes the role of the Bishop, presenting John with something valuable to help him start a new life. Little June Bug is Cosette, rescued from a tragic situation to become a beloved daughter. A lovely, enthralling story. Christian without being preachy. Definitely recommended.

June could not remember a time when she wasn't traveling. She and her dad zigzagged across the US, camping overnight on Wal-Mart parking lots and never spending more than a few days at any one location. Things began to change when their RV broke down in Colorado and they had to wait several days for a part. When shopping in the store, June saw a picture of herself on a missing child poster. She learned her real name was Natalie and she'd been missing for seven years. Questions she'd longed to have answered about her mom and desires for a settled life bubbled to the surface and demanded answers. Meanwhile, the car that was thought to have carried June away was found at the bottom of the Dogwood reservoir and the cold case suddenly found itself in the middle of national media attention. When June and her dad see the story, he decides it's time to return to his past and Dogwood. It's a trip that will forever change their lives. There is so much in this story to love. From the characters to the plot to the themes, June Bug is a well written story that kept me reading well into the night. I originally decided to read the book because of the premises. It seemed like an interesting theme to explore. However, a few chapters in, I realized the plot was not what made this book special, it was the characters. I love character driven stories, and this one is excellent. June's dad, John, was superbly written. He had enough mystery to keep me wondering exactly what had happened, but enough love to let me know, he did what he thought was right. It's amazing how some characters can have such an amazingly live feel and John was alive. There were some great contrasts in June Bug. We have unloving mothers verses loving strangers. We have couples strained by grief that have managed to survive. We see pastors that are charlatans and others that are sincere. We get a great view of the diversity in this world and it is wonderfully believable. While the characters are phenomenal, the plot is equally strong. There were several times I kept thinking we'd find out what happened, but the story would turn another direction and I'd have to wait a little longer. The mystery was well concealed and revealed at just the right time. Since I completely enjoyed John's part in the story, I would have liked for there to be more about his past. We get some pretty strong glimpses, but that could have been a story by itself. Regardless, the plot's tight and with one exception, it made sense and wrapped up nicely. Not lost are several themes and a great example of fatherly love. We are often blessed with people in our lives that we know are placed there by God. This was a wonderful exploration of God's divine intervention. We also get a nice glimpse of devotion and commitment. A look at those who will not stop praying and will not give up hope. Not forgotten are the human emotion and actions that drive all of us. The love we have for our children and