Juniper

Reach for this book when your child is beginning to pull away from family safety to find their own identity, or when they are struggling with a demanding mentor or a 'tough love' relationship. It is a perfect choice for children who feel like they are being tested and need to see that their inner reserves are deeper than they imagine. Set in a mystical version of the Middle Ages, the story follows Ninnoc, a privileged girl who becomes an apprentice to the wise but stern Juniper. As she sheds her royal comforts to learn the 'doran' way of healing and magic, she must eventually face a dark threat from within her own family. This is a story about the grit required to grow up, the ethics of power, and the realization that true magic comes from discipline and connection to the natural world. It is a sophisticated, grounded fantasy for readers aged 9 to 13.