Junie B., First Grader (at Last!)

Junie B. Jones #18

by Barbara Park, Denise Brunkus (Illustrator)

Meet the World's Funniest First Grader—Junie B. Jones!

Hurray, hurray for a brand-new school year! With over 50 million books in print, Barbara Park's New York Times bestselling chapter book series, Junie B. Jones, is a classroom favorite and has been keeping kids laughing—and reading—for over 20 years! In the 18th Junie B. Jones book, being in first grade means having to get used to a whole new classroom. And a whole new teacher. And a whole new bunch of strange children. But here's the worst thing of When Junie B. tries to read words on the chalkboard, she can’t seem to see what everyone else is seeing! Is it possible she might actually end up wearing glasses?

USA TODAY :
"Junie B. is the darling of the young-reader set."

Publisher's Weekly :
"Park convinces beginning readers that Junie B.—and reading—are lots of fun."

Kirkus Reviews :
"Junie's swarms of young fans will continue to delight in her unique take on the world….A hilarious, first-rate read-aloud."

Time Magazine :
"Junie B. Jones is a feisty six-year-old with an endearing penchant for honesty."

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, Chapter Books, Humor, Realistic Fiction, Middle Grade, Juvenile

96 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Barbara Lynne Park was an American author of children's books.

Reviews

[Lala BooksandLala]

Book 19 of 30 for my 30 day reading challenge.

[Britt Guild · Rating 1 out of 5]

The Junie B. Jones series has always been recommended to me to encourage my daughter to love reading independently. I thought starting off the series in first grade with this book was perfect, but I was very disappointed. Not only did I not like the story of how Junie begins first grade with a new teacher (Mr. Scary), but I was shocked at how disrespectful and bratty Junie B. is throughout the book. My daughter picked up on these selfish and ugly qualities as well. We both agreed that this book didn't have the characteristics of a good story. Junie not only is adjusting to a new classroom with a new teacher, but she is having difficulty reading the chalkboard and struggles through the idea of needing glasses. This is a theme I do think is relevant to many first graders.

This is a realistic fiction book as the story is not a true account of a real girl named Junie B. Jones, but her everyday experiences could be true.

I have seen this book in many classroom libraries in 2nd through 5th grade for students to choose for independent reading time. While I understand the book can be a funny account of a realistic fictional character, I don't appreciate the way Junie feels she can behave among peers and adults. I would not choose to have this series in my classroom library as I think there are many more worthy realistic fiction stories that have a meaningful and relevant message for young readers. Reading this book reminds me that not all children's literature is great, and that it is important to have read the books my students are reading. My reading conferences will be much more effective if I too have read most of my students' independent reading books.

While my opinion about this book is strong, I can only assume that some of my students would be entertained by this book as I know so many of my daughter's friends have read every book in the extended series. I wouldn't allow my opinion to prevent my students from reading the book, and I would still use the book to encourage independent reading for my early elementary readers (1st-3rd grade students). I would use literature circles with students and design discussion questions about the book for my students. I would even include questions about Junie's behavior to gauge what my students think about her in comparison to my strong opinion.

[Abby Benson-Schwallie · Rating 5 out of 5]

sometimes u just need a little junie b reread

[Olivia Lavelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of my all time favorite books growing up as a young kid. This book did indeed have a lot of drama in it. For example, one of her best friends Lucille has replaced her with two twins, Camille and Chenille. Lucille does not want to be bothered with Junie B anymore, because they were once best friends in kindergarden. Grace and Junie B. use to be bus buddies in kindergarden, and now Grace has replaced her with a girl named Bobbi Jean Piper. Junie B. Jones is now all alone and feels worthless, until she meets this little boy Herbert on the bus which happens to be a classmates of hers. The other problem she's facing is eye sight problems. She does not notice it, but she is not happy when she finds out she has to wear glasses. She thinks everyone will make fun of her. This was a very delightful book to re-read. I loved it and I think child beginners will enjoy themselves too.

[Hailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Look sometimes you just have to read a book from your childhood, no regrets lol

[Vivian Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a funny book for kids

[Eliana Soens]

It's good

[Roy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic! This book is filled with laugh out loud moments. My daughter could not have been more amused by the antics and attitude of Junie B. Jones, and adults reading aloud will smile throughout as well. We will be plowing through the series with hope that all of them are as entertaining as this one.

[ariel · Rating 4 out of 5]

my first graders had a field day with this one. lost a star bc of the way junie b. speaks

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Junie B. Series has been a really good series to get my kids enjoying chapter books. I appreciate that about this series. Also I've heard the magic tree house series is good. Anyone else know of any good ones for 6ish year olds?

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this with the three kids laughing uproariously, in a couple evenings, them asking me not to stop. Okay, I did not think it was all THAT funny, but I am, like, a Dad, and not a 1st, 2nd and 3rd grader…. score one for Barbara Park, who knows how to be hilarious for kids!

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read with C. So perfect since she is in grade 1 and has purple glasses too. These books are written so funny and as if a first grader is talking. Super fun read.

[Yz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a funny and cute story! This book made me feel better about having glasses and I'm sure it has helped and will help more kids too!

[Nikki Flynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

First book for the Biannual Bibliothon done!
I loved these books as a kid. For the challenge to read the book that got you into reading, I was originally going to reread Harry Potter, but the more I though about it, I realized that it was this series that got me into reading. I started reading around age four and I read books like Junie B, Magic Tree House, A-Z Mysteries. Those are the series that really got me into reading avidly because I didn’t read HP until I was 7. So I decided to reread Junie B because its one of my favorities and its very short, making it perfect for a readathon that so happens to be during my exam week! So I’m glad I reread this and honestly, I want to reread the whole series now!!

[Krysta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love reading these books with my daughter. We both laugh until we have tears and share so many special moments over these books. It gives us so many opportunities to talk about good behaviors and choices versus not so great behaviors and choices. We have great conversations about what characters she’d be friends with and how she would react in the many different scenarios. All of the reviews complaining about behaviors has clearly never interacted with a group of small children as all of this is common. It’s a good opportunity to have conversations with your children and there are SO many giggles to be had.

[Brittany Gaskins]

Summary: Junie B. is starting first grade with a new teacher, some of the same friends, and a new look. She is struggling with friendships because of new twins in the room taking her place. She calls her teacher Mr. Scary and discovers her eye sight is failing her. Will she be made fun of with her new look?
Evaluation: I liked this book because she is a funny character with a perspective of school that kids can relate to and find comedic as well. It is an easy read and engaging for students.
Teaching Points: I would use Junie B. as a way to write journals on the struggles and good things about being in first grade (or any grade). It gives examples of Junie B.'s writing and students can see how she writes and correct her mistakes as a learning point for grammar or sentence conventions.

[Eleanor · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK, I’m going to have to figure out what good leads is doing because I still can’t read my books. I mean, rate my books. This book and probably write four out of five stars. I think my favorite part was when Junie B was Reading from the board. For me, in braille, I don’t get eyes and use and stuff like that mixed up. It’s more likely that I’ll think chip is step or something like that.It was a good book i’m glad Junie B ended up liking her glasses.

[Lee]

This gets turned into a "first glasses" story so fast the first few chapters don't sink in as much, but dang, that's a horrible, kick you in the teeth because all humans are always like that kind of beginning. It's rough, man.

[Melissa Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

My students loved it!!!

[Samantha]

Junie B. adjusts to being in grade 1!

[Rye Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like it

[Deon Cantrell]

I enjoyed reading this one with Elizabeth. It was her first Junie B. Jones book and she liked it.

[NewsomeThings · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know where Meanie Jim is, but Herb is a REAL one

[Anna fully.booked_ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just a fun re read as an adult for a palette cleanser. Very cute for young children! I still love Junie B!

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

First grade is off to a rocky start when Junie B's kindergarten friends find new besties, she doesn't know the kids sitting near her, and she gets glasses.

[Alexis Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Glasses are like magic windows for the eyes”

[RG · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic Junie B.! I love this little lady. Great for kids scared about 1st grade or getting glasses.

[silver]

Diving head-first back into my childhood with this one

[Ellie Cerf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Junie B First Grader is a book about a girl who starts first grade with a brad new teacher and has to find brand new friends. Will she be able to get some new friends while getting glasses? will the other kids make fun of her? Will they like her new glasses? I would recommend this book for kids in 2nd-3rd gradee who are looking to find a book about a wild child starting in a new classroom.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I see Junie B. Jones books everywhere and so I picked one up used to see what it was all about. I'm glad I read it before my daughter though because I have decided there are better books out there for her. Junie is really kind of a brat. She has a bad attitude about things (calling them dumb or boring) and even makes fun of other kids in the story. She's nervous about getting glasses, and I know the author isn't trying to say that Junie is an ideal kid. She definitely gets herself into trouble.

Now, don't get me wrong, any book that gets kids reading early is great, and I think this is meant to do that. I just decided my girls don't need her. We probably owe the author for her popularity, as there are now a TON of early reader books out in the market now.

My daughter found some junie B books in her first grade class and proceeded to tell her teacher that she isn't allowed to read them because mommy says Junie is a mean girl. I felt embarrassed because I really don't feel that strongly against junie... but kids only see in black and white. So far, my daughter is LOVING the critter club. I've checked out a giant stack of early readers from the library to try and find the good ones out there. I wouldn't stop her from reading a Junie B. book, but I will try to provide her better options, as there definitely are some.