absolutely top banana.
it's a beautiful book full of hope and compassion and humanity.
ooo, it's proper lovely. ( )

I read this because it was a friend's beloved childhood book, and I'm so glad I did. It hit me right in my pagan, "living in the rhythm," kitchen-witch heart. I have aspired to be Juniper my entire adult life, and I didn't even know it.

This would be a hard sell for most contemporary kids I know. It's slow. The pacing feels old-fashioned: languorous descriptions of the light falling across the floor, the milking of the cow, the gradual coming to terms with being Juniper's ward... punctuated by occasional adventures. The GR description makes it sound like Wise Child choosing between Maeve and Juniper is the major story arc. It is part of the main emotional arc, which is Wise Child choosing Juniper over both Maeve and her village, but as a plot point Maeve is one two-chapter adventure among others. I probably wouldn't try it on anyone who isn't used to reading old-school agricultural-adventure books. It's most akin in feel to "what if [b:Understood Betsy|347151|Understood Betsy|Dorothy Canfield Fisher|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388985862s/347151.jpg|3234038] were set in [b:The Mists of Avalon|402045|The Mists of Avalon (Avalon, #1)|Marion Zimmer Bradley|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388857089s/402045.jpg|806813]?" I am here. for. that, it turns out, but I'm not sure most current kids are. ( )

For those of us impassioned by herbs, many of us can point to this book as key to igniting that love. How many of us would love to be mentored and cared for by Juniper, and then yearn to grow into a wise woman such as her? Wise Child herself is real and opinionated. It's fun and inspiring to experience how she grows into becoming a "doran," one who is connected with all that is, all of nature. ( )

This was one of my most beloved books as a child and I'm gratified that it is still a delight to read as an adult.
Due to her grandmother's demise, her father's being away at sea and her mother's....well, not being around, young Wise Child is suddenly in need of adult supervision and a home in which to live. Juniper offers to take her in, and though Wise Child is, like others in the village, wary of the mysterious woman (witch?), she swallows her fear and agrees. The somewhat spoiled but definitely precocious Wise Child is taught the cultivation of herbs, mixing of healing potions, teas and elixirs as well as how to do simple household chores. She's a bit of a brat, but that's kind of to be expected considering her circumstances. Juniper is patient, kind and wise as well as loving and understanding and the relationship between the two grows. Conflict comes from without, though, when Wise Child's mother suddenly decides to reappear.
Furlong's world is well-built, her characters are engaging and dynamic and the subject matter is fascinating. I would recommend this book to all young readers. ( )

Abandoned by both her parents, 9-year-old Wise Child goes to live with the witch woman Juniper, who begins to train her in the ways of herbs and magic.