Junie B., First Grader: Shipwrecked

Junie B. Jones #23

by Barbara Park, Denise Brunkus (Illustrator )

Since her debut over 10 years ago, kids, parents, teachers, and librarians have been laughing themselves silly with Junie B. Jones Listening to the boisterous Junie B. on audio is the perfect way to enjoy this bestselling series.

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

85 pages, Hardcover

First published May 25, 2004

About the author

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

Reviews

[Philip · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Eleanor Review:

Me: Ok, Eleanor, when you review a book, you should start out by telling what the book is about... So what was the book Junie B. First Grader:Shipwrecked about?

Eleanor: Um. It was about the SPLATO! It was about when Roger threw up on the floor! That's what it was about. So you should give it that one, ok dad?

Me: What do you mean I should, "give it that one?"

E: Well, in chapter one it happened, so you should put it in the review.

Me: Ok, it's there. What else was the book about?

Eleanor: Junie gave May nose germs, then MAY WALKED to Mr. Scary and said, "Mr. Scary, Junie gave me nose germs." Then Mr. Scary walked May back to her seat.

I have good ideas sometimes, daddy.

Me: What do you mean?

Eleanor: Well, sometimes about that Junie B. Jones books... I have good ideas about for when we review it.

Me: So what else happened?

Eleanor: Gwennie! GWENNIE! GWENNIE'S MAKING IT SO I CAN'T SEE IT! MY SISTER'S NOT LETTING ME SEE IT!

Me: Is she now?

E: Yeah! NOO!!! She's standing up again! Gwennie! There we go. THEN it was about... the the the PARENT'S NIGHT! And Shelton washed his body.

Me: Why?

E: Because... ahh I don't know... he had germs on his hands.

Me: How did he get germs on his hands?

E: He had a bag on his hands - a sack on his hands... Could you read it now? Could you read the review?

Me: In a second... but first tell me, why do you think it was called, "Shipwrecked?"

E: I don't know... Dad?

Me: Well... were there any ships in the book?

E: Yeah.

Me: What happened to them?

E: They were ruining the play.

Me: How?

E: They... they met... Junie... May got to her desk FIRST and said, "Are you the pokey little Maria... uh... are you the pokey little Pinta?" I don't know what she said.

Me: Why did May say that?

E: Because she was being mean.

Me: Did any ships wreck?

E: Yeah. ...What's wreck mean?

Me: Crash.

E: They did have a crash. Ummm... Junie B. Jones and May BOTH fell on top of each other. I was showing you with my arms. I was showing you with my ARMS, daddy. ...And they were sailing, and sailing, and sailing, and Shelton almost fell over too. Daddy, I think your students are like green beans.

Me: What do you mean they're like green beans?

E: I was just joking. OK! READ IT! READ IT! READ READ READ! READ IT BACK!! Please, please read it! Read it please! Read it please! Would you read it please? PLEEEEEAAAAASEEE? Instead of typing, and NOW read the review! PLEASE?!?!? Aren't you reading it?

*As I started to read it Eleanor said, "And then, they had a "YAY! JOSE! PARTY."

Me: Should I put that at the end?

Eleanor: Yeah.

[Mya · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely story for kids. It was definitively eye-catching and entertaining.

[ari]

read for the 2025 library challenge.

[Kristin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I was stuck in traffic for 2.5 hours leaving a NASCAR race without a book, thus the reason a 28 year-old is reading elementary school chapter books.

Junie didn't annoy me as much in this book as she did in the first JBJ book I read this afternoon, perhaps a sign of maturity in going from kindergarten to 1st grade, but I still found her to be a bit of a brat. In 'Shipwrecked', her class is putting on a play about Columbus, even though Junie would rather do one about mice like the only other play she's seen. By doing well on her homework, Junie gets to choose a part in the play, but chooses her role based on the wrong reasons and ends up ruining the play because of it. Good lessons about teamwork and the importance of homework, and how not bring on a team leads to problems.
A secondary plot about viruses and germs was more enjoyable than the play. When one of Junie's classmates gets ill in class, the kids think that by holding their noses they won't get sick. So, the nurse comes in to set them straight, though their education doesn't prevent more people from getting sick, which also poses a problem with the play.

[Ayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

The kids put on a play for parents night very cute on how they actually play parts like the ocean and land. Silly and amusing. Little grudges kids have.

[Miriam · Rating 3 out of 5]

The only accurate history of Columbus Day written by a white person

[Louise Heywood · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this book because I learned about how America was discovered and I think that is interesting!

[Lee]

The vomit absorbent scene is truly iconic.

[Selena Schulz · Rating 5 out of 5]

UGH this was always my favorite one
BRAVO for the the sixty pages of short journal entries and over spaced lines I LOVEEEEEEE

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Junie B and her 1st grader friends learn about germs, Christopher Columbus and teamwork.

[Nancy Kotkin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Shipwrecked
by Barbara Park

This is an awful book! The children are inconsiderate and rude to one another. The main character, Junie B. Jones, is the worst of the lot. What is supposed to be humor is actually taunting and laughing at the expense of others.

Even the black-and-white pictures are goofy looking.

[skcocnaH · Rating 4 out of 5]

I forgive this book for being about Columbus Day because it was before we were having conversations about Indigenous People that should’ve always been a thing. ANYway, another cute Junie B. The germs plot point was kinda hilarious too.

[R.K. Cowles · Rating 5 out of 5]

3 1/4 stars

[Cayley Pratt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who ever had the most facts about Christopher Columbus got to pick what part they want to be in the play after that Roger threw up in classroom one. They start making their ships for the play, so they could start practicing for the play, therefore they would not fall when they were presenting the play. Junie was mad because it was not a mouse play, and she really wanted it to be a mouse play. Junie B. and Jose both had eighteen facts about Christopher Columbus. Therefore they got pick what part they wanted to be in the play. Junie was the pinta, next was Jose was Christopher Columbus. So they got to be what they wanted to be, because they had the most facts about Christopher Columbus. May and Junie B. got into a fight. All the ships ran into each other and fell on the floor and Christopher Columbus had to swim to America.
I liked how at the end when it said Christopher Columbus had to swim to America, because it was funny. At the end of the play the teacher said ¨ Christopher Columbus has to swim to America.¨ I did not like how two people tied with eighteen facts about Christopher Columbus, because there should be only one person who gets to pick their part in the play, and not two. I liked how they decided how to pick the people or a person to pick what part they wanted to be in the play, because who ever had the most facts about Christopher Columbus. I did not like how May and Junie B. got into a fight, because all the ships wrecked and all the costumes broke. I liked how they made their costumes, because they made them out of cardboard and they look very cool. I did not like how all the ships ran into each other, because their costumes look very bad after that.

[Annika Mackley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a story about a first grader, Junie B. whose class is going to put on a play. But before they can the whole class has to learn about germs since some of the students are getting sick. The whole class is on edge about germs. Students are going to extreme lengths to not catch the germs such as holding their nose and bags on their hands. After the freak out is settled, the teacher tells the students about parent night and how they will be putting on a play about Christopher Columbus. The students have fun making costumes and of course arguments begin about their part sin the play. AS a result a lively performance takes place with turns no one was expecting.
This book is a great first chapter book for younger grades due to its short length and illustrations embedded within. These books can be a stepping stone between reading picture books and large chapter books. Park does a great job at writing in the point of view of a first grader capturing their thought process perfectly. If read aloud, the reader would enjoy the story as well. The illustrations are done in black and white and what seems to be done using graphite. The illustrations provide a great visual to the story allowing the reader to see how Junie B. and the other students look as well as capturing their emotions nicely. Park also includes journal entries done by Junie B. that look hand written by a first grader. This also gives more of a push towards a younger audience because younger students can relate to having to write and the correcting of spelling.
The Junie B. books are fun to read and a great resource to have in the classroom.

[Ariel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Junie B. Jones Shipwrecked. First off, don't be confused – she's not really on a ship! But hey, that's Junie B. for ya, always up to something funny.

So, Junie B.'s class, Room One, is doing a play about Christopher Columbus. You know, that guy who sailed to new places a long time ago. Junie B. wants to be a star in the play – not like a star in the sky, but like the main star of the show. She's all excited and wants to know the most facts so she can be the best star ever.

But oh my gosh, things start to go all wonky! The play starts off okay, then suddenly it's like a big disaster. Everything gets mixed up – disaster after disaster, like a super funny mess. And guess what? Junie B.'s classmates keep getting sick with the flu. Oh no!

But don't worry, the story ends in a crazy way, and you gotta read it to find out exactly what happens. This book taught me something cool too. Junie B. thought being a star was super important, but then she figured out that stars in the sky might be boring. You can wish on 'em, but wishes don't always come true.

So, if you like funny stories 'bout Junie B.'s adventures and wanna know what happens when she's shipwrecked (even if she's not really on a ship), you should totally read this book. It made me giggle a lot and think 'bout how things don't always go as planned.

I put together an awesome review of this book. Make sure to watch the full version on my YouTube channel!
https://youtu.be/QoamR8E-pzI

[Joe Chell]

Book Title: Junie B, First Grader - Shipwrecked
Author/Illustrator: Barbara Park
Reading Level: LG
Book Level: 3.1

Book Summary: Junie B.'s journal entries start with Room One's stomach virus excitement, the first-grade Columbus Day play, and getting the part of the "Pinta," the fastest ship.

Bookshelf Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Bookshelf Mentor Writing Traits:

Voice - The whole text is written from the perspective of Junie B, as first grader. This immediately creates a connection between the reader and the text. The addition of “diary pages” throughout the book encourage this connection even further as elementary readers can relate and understand what the author is trying to portray.

Presentation – The presentation of this book is split between a “handwritten” diary, and typed text. The diary is written from the perspective of a first-grader, subsequently having more casual language and spelling, alongside the writing being less neat and carefully formed. However, within the regular text the presentation is just like any other professionally written book, aside from the language being used continues to portray Junie B’s perspective.

This book would certainly be a great introduction to personal writing and teaching students how a diary/journal could be organized.

[Grace Swartz · Rating 4 out of 5]

In room one all of the students are getting sick a stomach virus is going around the school. Mrs. Weller the school nurse teaches Junie B Jones and her classmates in room one what a virus is and how to avoid spreading germs after multiple of her classmates end up getting sick. They learn this just in time for parents night where room one will be doing a play on Christopher Columbus. The class spends the next week gathering facts and learning about Christopher Columbus to successfully create there play. Junie B is given the role of one of three ships that sailed the ocean blue. Junie B. was extra excited because she was the fastest of the boats who sailed. But during rehearsal her classmate May who was another boat kept trying to get to land first. This continued to happened during show night. While they were sailing the ocean blue May attempted to get ahead of Junie B. So what was Junie to do? She's the fastest ship, May can't be first.

This book is perfect for first or second grade. While reading the book I will make a connection to the conversation about viruses and have the class help me write an anchor chart of the four ways Mrs. Weller gives to keep the class healthy.

[Synai]

This book is about a first grader girl named Junie B Jones. Junie B had a play that she had to do for a class project with a partner and her partner name was Jose . Jose had the part as Columbus and Junie B wanted to the Pinta because as she said it was the fastest ship out of all ships . So while they were praticing for the play her and another student named May went back and forth about which ship went first . So the teacher stopped both of them and then told them both it was not a race and if they wouldnt stop fussing he find someone else to do there parts . At the play everything was going fine until May try to squeeze in front of Junie so then Junie sped up and she accidentally hit May's ship on side then both of there ships crashed . Then Junie B fell straight to the floor then May tripped over her foot . After that May was on top of Junie . Then another student named Sheldon almost crashed into him but instead he crashed into land . So since everyone was was crashing Columbus would never got to America . Then some how Columbus finally got to swim across America and he got there after all . So the played turned out succesful so junie apoligized to May because she wanted to be the bigger person . The lesson that I think was supposed to be taught was you cant blame everything on everybody and you have to take responsibility for your self .

[Benjamin]

How? Kiddo liked the last Junie B., and so did I, so we got a bunch more at the library -- winter break is long, fam.

What? Junie, in first grade, wants a starring role in the Christopher Columbus play (this is written 2004), and so chooses the fastest ship; her enemy, May, is burdened with the Santa Maria, the old tub of a boat. But, gasp, in the play, they have to work together to arrive at the same time.

Yeah, so? So, I'm testing negative for covid, but still recovering, and reading this 88-page book out loud was a bit of a trial. I guess now that she's in first grade, the books are longer and there are fewer drawings, which means more reading. As for the story... I also felt it drag a little, insofar as every time the teacher (Mr. Scary) says something, 1-3 kids besides Junie have to respond with some characteristic bit of nonsense (Lucille is rich, Jose is Spanish(?), Roger(?) is sick), and then Mr. Scary reacts by just staring at the kids. It got tired. Or I was tired.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Junie B. Jones Shipwrecked is the 23rd book in the popular series by Barbara Park. In this installation, Junie B. and her classmates in Room 1 learn all about the dangers of germs while getting ready to put on a play about Christopher Columbus for Parent’s Night. When I was a bookseller these books flew off the shelves, but to be honest, I don’t get it. The stories are told from Jones’s perspective and written in journal style. This means that the text is full of grammatical errors as if a first grader had written it. If you’re trying to teach children grammar, I don’t see how a book like this would aide in that cause, but I guess children might find it easy to connect with the stories? The chapters are also sprinkled with illustrations to help the story along. Overall, not my favorite.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Junie B First Grader: Shipwrecked by Barbara Park is part of a children’s book series about this little girl named Junie B. Jones. In this particular book, some of her classmates get sick in the beginning and all of the students freak out and think if they breathe they will get sick as well. They have a play about Christopher Columbus. During the play, Junie B. Jones played a ship. May "messed up" Junie B's part. Junie B. pushed her and May pushed back. They pushed each other back and forth and three more “ships” crashed. Junie writes an apology letter to the class for messing up the play but says it is May’s fault. As a future educator, these books are great for younger grades. These books make children laugh and the children can relate to the book.

[Annie Flanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very cute book. I think we all have memories of Parents' Night - when we were going to Elementary School. As I recall - mine were not as creative as the Parents' Night in Junie's school. No plays for us.

And that is what this book is about - Parents' Night and the play that all the students in her class put on for their parents. The theme was Columbus Day and the students re-enacted Christopher Columbus's journey across the Atlantic Ocean to the New World.

Three of the students got to be one of the 3 ships - the Pnta [Junie B] - the Santa Maria [May] and the Nina [Sheldon].

Other students have the parts of Land - Christopher Coumbus and Ocean.

The play was interesting and quite funny.


All in all this book was a hoot.

[Qamar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Qamar, reading "Junie B., First Grader: Shipwrecked" by Barbara Park has taught you some valuable lessons about teamwork and friendship. Remember, working together with others and understanding their feelings can help you overcome any challenge, just like Junie B. and her friends did.

You also learned about empathy, which means thinking about how others feel. This is a very important skill that will help you make friends and be a kind person. Try to use empathy in your everyday life, like when you're playing with friends or talking to your family. This way, you'll create a happier and more understanding world around you. Keep reading and learning, Qamar!

[Angel Ross · Rating 3 out of 5]

Junie b. Jones learns about germs and Christopher Columbus. Those two are very random things to be taught in a storybook but nothing it too unordinary for Junie b! Doing well on her homework assignment, she scores the chance to choose her part in the play first. She chose her part because she wanted to be the star of the show. Although, she ruined the ruined the play, teachers can utilize good lessons for students about teamwork and doing well on homework. My favorite part of Shipwrecked is when the school play takes place towards the end of the book.

[Sydney M]

Junie B. First Grader Shipwrecked
This book is about Junie B being in first grade. She writes in her diary from Room one. One by one the children become sick and the other students cover their noses so they don't get the others germs. The students start preparing for a play that they are doing for their parents at parent night. After the kids being sick they finally are all together to practice the play before the big night.

[Chloe Mclaren · Rating 1 out of 5]

As an adult, I find the Junie B. books grating at best but my first grader loves them so I keep reading them. This one is in keeping with all the others in terms of tone, annoying quasi-slang, inexcusable and unaddressed crappy behavior between children, etc, BUT this book is less tolerable than normal because it's also about Columbus day. Kids should probably learn about Columbus, but this book doesn't address Columbus's legacy in any way, which is IMO egregious.

[Brandi Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zoey and I loved Junie B. Jones: Shipwrecked! The book had us laughing from the start, especially with Sheldon’s germ phobia, like when he put bags on his head to keep germs away, and the hilarious battles between May and Junie B.

We also enjoyed learning about Christopher Columbus in a fun, kid-friendly way. Zoey gave it a “10 out of 5”—she loved it!

This funny, light read with great characters and a touch of history is perfect for kids and parents.

[Jules Loz · Rating 1 out of 5]

Mom read this book aloud to me, while I was in 1st grade. It was a chapter book. It's awesome to see Juliana progressing along to read chapter books. I am looking forward to all the good books we can read aloud together.

[Deb Stephenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Julie B Jones Shipwrecked

Great way for kids, like Junie B’s age, 6, to learn some history! Junie learns to apologize. Great book! I helped my 7 year old create an assignment using this book.