Junie is an absolutely stunning and endearing debut novel by Erin Crosby Eckstine. Eckstine has long been a writer of editorial and think pieces, specifically related to public education. In Junie, her excellent writing skills shine in strong character development and a stellar balance of depth and plot. 

The main character is the novel's namesake; Junie is a teenage girl enslaved in the Deep South. As a maid to the daughter of the household, Junie is sheltered from the harshness of plantation work and has an innocence about her. But Junie is also deeply grieving the death of her sister, and this becomes a pivotal plot point. 

After the first quarter I was swept up in the world that Eckstine created, which is loosely based on her own ancestors. Everyone in this book is more than one shade, more than one motivation. I was so impressed by how many layers and how much richness this story delivers in a concise way. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Junie's coming of age and spirit will be in my heart for a long, long time.