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Jun 17, 2014litriocht rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Sanibel Island, the destination of Alice's annual family beach trip, is a premier place for seashell seekers. And the junonia is the most coveted shell. Every year, she has sought one. And since Alice is turning ten--double digits!--she is convinced that this is the special time when she will finally find it. But this year's trip is... different. Her extended family, formed by the Island vacationers she has come to know and love, is changing. Some members will not be joining her on this year's holiday. And others have brought outsiders with them to her island sanctuary. An extremely rare object, the junonia symbolizes all things precious to Alice: the elusive title shell is named after Juno, the Roman goddess of marriage and family. And this middle-grade novel is a simply told tale about shifting relationships and growing up. As she searches along the seashore, her ideas about family become more sophisticated. Alice's discoveries during this trip are a mishmash of disappointment, joy, and understanding.