Junie B., First Grader: Aloha-ha-ha!

Junie B. Jones #26

by Barbara Park, Lana Quintal (Narrator)

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

It’s a week in “Pair-o-Dice!” 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 26th Junie B. Jones book, Junie B. and her family are going on a vacation to Hawaii! And ha! Mr. Scary is giving Junie a real, actual camera to keep a photo journal of her trip! But taking good vacation pictures is not always easy. ’Cause what if there is an unfortunate inner tube incident at the swimming pool? (And, oh my! Let's not even mention what happens if a tropical bird gets tangled in your hair!) Will Junie B.’s vacation end up picture perfect? Or will her trip to Hawaii be aloha-horrible?

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, Chapter Books, Fiction, Humor, Juvenile, Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction

119 pages, Audio CD

First published May 23, 2006

About the author

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

Reviews

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was holding off on moving to the first grader series until we'd finished the kindergarten books, but our oldest brought this one home from school. She was a little confused by the new teacher, but overall, since this was mostly about her vacation to Hawaii, it wasn't too much of an issue.

We live in Hawaii, so of course we love to read about it as much as see and do fun things here. We talked a little about nature hikes and swimming and snorkeling, which are the things that Junie B. did on vacation (and just happen to be fun things our girls enjoy doing as well.) Overall, it's a fun book. We've really enjoyed the Junie B. Jones series.

[Becky · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just discovered this series. Since my daughter is about to enter 1st grade, I thought we'd give it a try. I liked the story and the adventure in the book. What I didn't like was the obvious attitude that June B has. I have worked hard to eliminate words like "hate, stupid, whatever, dumb" from my daughter's vocabulary. Having it on every page in the book was a but too much for me. I don't think I need to create more attitude in my 6 year old. Cute character, but a bit much for us.

[Allie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in the car on the way home from a funeral, while my mom drove. Just like I used to do as a kid. It made us both laugh out loud and smile pretty much the entire time. Favorite kids' series ever.

[Jessica Woodring · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was our last book left in the Junie B. Jones series, which Austen and I started this past summer. We laughed so much throughout all the books so this 5 star rating is a cumulative review…mostly for the memories that I’ll have from reading with my daughter and seeing so many similarities between her and Junie B. Austen cried a little last night too when we finished it because it’s the end of something we both loved so much. We talked about how books are so amazing because they can teach us, entertain us, shape our opinions, and connect us with our favorite characters. The great thing about books too is that we can revisit and reread whenever we want!

[Destiny Sanderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all these books

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Junie B. goes on vacation to Hawaii!

[Shelby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Growing up, Junie B was a big part of my life. I use to have every single book. I recently found this book and had to buy it. Reading it brought back so many good memories from a not so good childhood. This book made me laugh. I hope my girls enjoy it as much as I did when I was a kid!

[Alivia · Rating 3 out of 5]

The lady siting behind Junie B. grabbed her doll and I didn't like that.

[Ella · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite book from when i was little. it is so good and funny.

[Meghan Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

We’d give this one 27 stars if we could ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Tayte Willows · Rating 4 out of 5]

one of the best so far

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars from my 7 year old

[Lee]

See, we always took road trips as a kid, and that sounded like a better deal to me.

[Rick Silva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Junie B. is heading to Hawaii on vacation, and she's keeping a photo journal to bring back to her first grade class.

This started out a bit oddly, with the author adding dialogue for Junie B.'s toys, which is a gimmick I hadn't run into previously in this series.

The story got better once the family arrived in Hawaii, and I liked the fact that in spite of her mishaps, Junie B. really does have a lot of fun on her trip.

There were some genuinely laugh-out-loud jokes in here for me and for the Kiddo. He appreciated the setting, having read several other book that took place in Hawaii.

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter and I laughed out loud quite a bit with this one!!

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

After a few grueling weeks of prep for an Emergency Preparedness night at church, I decided that I need a little treat on Saturday. So I slept in until 10 am and then went to the library to check out the Junie B Jones books.

So I read this one that is about Junie B’s trip to Hawaii with her parents. I went to Hawaii with my parents once. I wasn’t in kindergarten like she was. I was in high school. I had seen plenty of made-for-tv movies about kids who went on vacation with their families and met some young attractive native and had a little vacation romance. So, obviously, that was my goal. I tried really hard to meet someone. I ALWAYS volunteered to go get ice from the ice machine because that was the only time I got to spend without my parents. Have you ever noticed that you don’t use all that much ice at home, but somehow you have to trek back and forth to the hotel ice machine a dozen times? I have no idea what I use all that ice for, but I sure as heck know that I won’t stay anywhere that doesn’t have an ice machine. Anyway, I would always volunteer to get ice. Yes, I was in high school, but my mother was still very concerned about “stranger danger”. It was sort of hard to meet people because you know that a lot of kids get kidnapped at hotels because they walk too close to the side of the hallway and bad guys sit behind their doors peeping through the peephole, waiting for a young child to walk three inches to the left of center and then BAM - kidnap them. You always have to walk down the very middle of the hall so that if someone pops out to grab you from either side you are as far away from them as possible. So, while maintaining the perfect center of the hall and looking out for kidnappers, I didn’t really have time to scope out my very own Polynesian summer fling.

I don’t remember a whole lot more about that trip other than we went snorkeling one day. Well, my sister and my dad and I went snorkeling. Abby snorkeled off somewhere (there were approximately 1200 people snorkeling within 500 square feet of ocean) and didn’t get out of the water at the same time that we (my dad and I) did. Well, mom flipped out at dad about how he had been so careless as to let Abby drown. She was obviously dead because she was not with us. I remember thinking bitterly, “That $%&$*%! Abby went and drowned and ruined this whole trip.” Now I just look back and wonder why my mom berated my dad for killing my sister instead of alerting a lifeguard who could have perhaps saved her. A few minutes later Abby emerged from the water, safe. No one was happy to see her. We were all just mad at her. It was a weird, weird vacation.

[Genna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plot:
This book is about a 1st grade girl who gets to go on a trip with her parents to Hawaii. Junie was really excited about this trip and she got to tell all of her classmates about it in show and tell. When she was talking about it, her teacher decided to give her the assignment to write down what she did each day and take a lot of pictures . On the first day of her trip Junie and her parents went to the pool. Junie saw a floatie that looked like a parrot so her dad bought it for her even though her dad knew if was going to be to small for her. When she tried it on, it was way to small for her and she couldn't breathe when she was in it. Junies parents tried to take it off but it wouldn't so they had to deflate it and she had to wear it around for the rest of the day. The next day they went snorkeling and saw a lot of fish, but when Junie saw a jellyfish she got to scared and had to swim back to shore. On the last day they went on a nature hike that Junie did not want to go on at all. When she started to get bored on the trail she started picking flowers and putting them in her hair to make a flower hat. Then when they were walking back to the bus, a bird flew into Junie's hair and got stuck in it. When they finally got it out Junie decides that the bird flying in her hair was the best part about the trip and she was proud of herself.

Characterization:
Junie B. Jones is the main character of this book and she is a sassy, loud, 1st grader who wants everything to go her way. In this book Junie is excited and very loud for the most part. She is also sassy when the family does something that she doesn't want to do. Junie's parents play another big part in this book. They are sick of the way Junie acts but they are still good parents to her.

Audience:
I would recommend this book to any kid in elementary school or up to sixth grade. I think this book is good for this age group because it is a easier book and it is written for kids this age. I would also more likely recommend this to a girl more than a boy because the reader would have more of a connection to the book since the main character is a girl.

Personal Response:
I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars because I enjoyed this book but I didn't absolutely love it. I liked this book because it reminded me of when I went to Florida with my whole family and how one of my little cousins was exactly like Junie on the trip.

[Courtney Miles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Junie B. Jones is one heck of a character and this laugh out loud book is definitely one I enjoyed from beginning to end. In this book, Barbara Park shares with us the story of Junie B. Jones and her vacation to Hawaii. It is Junie B.'s first time to Hawaii and she can barely contain her excitement. She shares with her whole class that she is going and her teacher gives her a show and tell book to journal in and put her pictures in from her trip so that she can share with the class when she returns. She doesn't like the sound of an assignment but ends up giving it a try.
On the plane ride there, she meets some not so friendly seat neighbors who get annoyed with her elephant, Phillip Johnny Bob and her Barbie, as well as her screaming at her mom, because of the loudness of the plane, to take a picture. Eventually she woke up and they were in Hawaii.
While she was in Hawaii, her parents bought her a blow up inner tube that got stuck on her and she had to wear for the remainder of the week. She didn’t care though because she loved that thing. Throughout the week she took many different pictures of what she was doing so that she could show her class her show and tell book. At the end of the week she goes on a nature walk with her parents and a bunch of older people and she ends up finding lots and lots of flowers to put in her hair. At the end of the walk a bird manages to land on top of her head because of all the flowers and she gets a picture of it and is very excited about it.
She is very excited to return home and show everyone her journal and all of the beautiful and funny pictures she took in Hawaii.
This is a very humorous book that I would recommend for second through fourth graders. Junie B. Jones is a very silly character and does some pretty goofy things that will keep anyone laughing. The words aren’t too hard to comprehend and the content is something that this age group can relate to.
The illustrations in this book are drawings of Junie B. Jones and her photographs (drawings) taken on vacation. They are simple drawings but still look like a character that could be a student in their class.
I gave this book four stars because I was laughing the whole time and was curious to see what kind of trouble she would get in and how her trip went by the end of the book.

[Mehsi · Rating 1 out of 5]

I needed a book that took place in Hawaii for my group challenge. I decided on this one as it seems to be a fun book. Sadly it wasn't. If anything, it was highly annoying and made me want to strangle that kid.

Dear Lord, Junie was SO annoying. Shouting in the airplane, ignoring her parents when she did stuff. And also, it was weird. She knew words like establishment and all kinds of other words that didn't seem believable for someone who didn't know how deal was spelled. And also some other stuff. It just didn't fell believable.
And did she have to freaking shout all the time? I know kids are loud, but this is just overdone and I just wanted to tape Junie's mouth closed. The caps in the book just got annoying. Yes, we know she is shouting, no need to show that by ADDING FREAKING CAPS, OK THANKS! Oh, and it was also annoying that at times they added caps, and then they didn't. Come on writer, be consistent. Don't do caps one sentence and then say someone shouted without the caps the next.
Oh boohoo she doesn't like quiet days. Sorry girl, but everyday is a quiet day, especially when you are surrounded by people. Urgh at this girl. Always shouting and always being bleh and moody. She is on a freaking trip to Hawaii, not everyone can just go off and pop to Hawaii, so be happy little freaking girl.

Her talking with her plushie was also weird and I think it might be better had the plushie not actually said anything back.

I was already happy we didn't see much of May, what an obnoxious little brat that is. Another reason why I am not going to even look at this series after this one any more.

I felt really sorry to the parents. Though, I partially blame them. They are pretty lax about Junie. I wish they were more strict and would show her that her actions have consequences. That she just can't shout or say everything to everyone. That she needs to behave and be polite. I also didn't get why they would take her with them to Hawaii. She clearly can't behave, nor does she listen.

I would not recommend this book to anyone. Unless you want an obnoxious little brat as main character and don't mind her shouting in caps every page.

Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/

[Caitlin Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

For my contemporary realistic book review, I chose the book titled, "Junie B., First Grader: Aloha-ha-ha." This book is about a girl named Junie B. Jones who is always getting into trouble. In this particular book of the series, Junie B. and her parents are going to Hawaii. She is so excited that she cannot wait to tell the class during show-and-tell. Her teacher gives her a camera so she can make a photo journal of all of the activites she participates in while in Hawaii. While in Hawaii, Junie B. acts up and drives her parents crazy. They go scuba diving one day and Junie B. sees an eel and a jelyfish. Seeing these creatures really scares Junie B. On another day during their trip, Junie B. and her parents go on a sightseeing bus tour with a lot of elderly people. On the tour, Junie B. complains, driving her parents insane. Then, on the way back to the bus, a native bird lands and gets stuck in Junie B's hair. Her mom takes a picture for Junie B's photo journal. By the end of their trip, Junie B. was having so much fun in Hawaii.

I think that the age range of this book would be primary. I think this because children in the primary age range can relate these books (especially first graders). The print is large and easy to read.

The artistic elements of this book are very detailed and complex. Theres are not a lot of pictures but there are quite a few. All of the pictures are in black and white and looks like they were sketched.

I would definitely recommend this book to kindergarten and first graders because I think that they will have an easier time and enjoy this book more since they can relate to the content.

[Anne Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

She goes on a trip and at first when she's in the airplane they look for grouchy ladies. And they figure out there are two grouchy ladies, one in front and one behind her. And they take a picture, and before that Philip Johnny Bob (her stuffed elephant) whispers something. And, you want to know what it is? "Don't take a picture with those grouch pots in it!"

It's funny because she goes scuba diving and she's scared of a shark and jelly fish and an eel. And she swims away to shore real fast and her mom and dad come out of the water real angry and talk to her about it. And then, they go to the pool and mother keeps on changing spots because there is this grandma and grandpa who keep on talking silly and it just bothers her.

The day before the last day they went on a "stupid dumb tour bus full of old people" (SHE says it). And she says, "Little children do not like spectacular scenery." But then, in the middle of their nature hike her mom picked up this beautious pink flower puff and Junie B. puts it in her hair and she says, "I look glamorous." Then, she keeps on picking up those flower puffs. At the end a big bird swoops down, because he likes to eat the flower puffs and he gets tangled up in her hair. And, at the end it's really funny because when she gets back she still, still has a few tangles in her hair because of the bird accident.

[Kirsten Kouwenhoven · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this book of the Junie B. Jones series, the main heroine takes a trip to her Hawaii with her family. Her teacher assigns her to write in a journal everyday and take pictures of her adventures. Junie B. Jones is so excited about her trip that she can hardly wait to share the news and show and tell. Her zeal and imagination turn every moment of the trip an adventure. At first many of the situations turn into embarrassing disaster, but in the end the trip is a huge success.

Instructional ideas:
Students write their own journals about their daily lives or a family trip they've taken. Junie B. Jones often makes corrections in her journal, usually with spelling. Have students reread their journals and make any necessary spelling and grammar corrections.

Junie B. Jones is instructed to make captions for her photos. Have students cut pictures out of newspapers and magazines and create their own unique captions.

Junie B. Jones loves to play with language, particularly the sounds of language. Have students look for some examples in the book and make up some of their own.

Have students look on a map for Hawaii and record the route they would take from their own town.

[Tamra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Junie B. is like the hyper version of most adults you know. All energy and excitement all the time, and she says the things outloud that you and I think, but that we're careful to keep inside our heads.

I enjoy reading Junie B. books even as an adult because I'm a parent and I LOVE Junie B.'s explanations of her parents' reactions to her.

My favorite passage from this book, by far:

Then--as soon as he got back--hurray! It was time to go snorkeling!
After everyone was ready, we got in the car. And we drove to a special snorkel beach.
That word made me laugh in the car. I said it a million times, I think.
"Snorkel," I said. "Snorkel, snorkel, snorkel. I'm going to snorkel! Here is a snorkel poem."
I took a breath.
"Snorkel, snortle, snootle, noodle, snorkel, snartle, snarkle."
Mother turned around.
"Please stop it," she said.
She took an asprin.
Mothers do not appreciate poetry, apparently.

[Mary Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Junie's father has a job interview in Hawaii and he gets tickets for his wife and Junie to come with him. Junie's first flight...she has problems talking quietly and the women around her are "grouchy." When they get to Hawaii, she sleeps until the next day. She wakes her parents up very early and on the way to the pool, she sees a swim ring (that is too small for her) and she has to have it and promises to not to ask for anything else. The air has to be let out of the ring because it is too tight on her and they are unable to get it off her. The next day they go snorkeling and on a hike (with a bunch of senior citizens). She is unhappy on these because while snorkeling she gets very scared of eels and jellyfish. Then she has a bird land on her head and get tangled. She is happy to be going home and has some nice photos to share with her class when she gets home.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Any Junie B. Jones books, is fun and interesting to read. In this book, Junie B. gets to go to Hawaii with her Mom and Dad! She is super excited. During show and tell, Junie B. gets to share about her going to Hawaii, and then Mr. Scary "assigns" her an assignment, but just really says that she is the official reporter so it doesn't sound like an assignment to her. Her trip to Hawaii is full of funny moments that she doesn't see happening. In the end, everything turns out better than she plans.
When thinking about how this relates to what a child does, during Show and Tell, every child that bring in something or has something to share is excited. I want to bring show and tell back into my classroom and I think it's a fun time for the children to learn about each others likes!

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dear Readers,

I read this book called Junie B. Jones Aloh Ha Ha, By Barbara Park. This is a book about this girl, Junie B Jones going to hawaii and is Having the worst days ever there. UNTILL Junie B Jones goes on the tour and puts flowers on her hair then this bird flies down and sits on the flower nest. Junie B Jones told the guide that there is a bird on her hair and then the guide gentally picks the bird up and the bir flew. Finally, Junie b Jones took a Great picture of the bird and was happy.

One thing I did before I read this book is that I predicted that Junie b jones will be happy at the vacation but I was wrong.
After I read this book, I thought why i liked this book. I liked this book because It shows great deatails about Hawaii.
Michelle

[Kallie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Grade: 1-3
Genre: Fiction

I wanted to read this because it is at a first-grade level, and I can remember owning a few of these books as a child myself. I think it is a nice beginner book for grades 1-3. The main character herself is in first grade. I do not like the attitude that Junie B. has. She is very rude and naughty in the book and I would not want anyone that reads this to think it is okay to act the way Junie B. acts throughout the book. I think for young children this book could be entertaining and funny. But I just found Junie B. to be rude and annoying which made it hard to finish the book. Overall this book is just okay to me.

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read this book so many times to my kids it feels like cheating to just be adding it here now. But cheating can be good for the soul, right?

Right?

Anyway, one of my favorite Junie B. books, and one I hope I'll get to read at least one more time (out loud) before shelving it to the future (grandchildren maybe?).

Oh good grief. I used the word "grandchildren" and now I think I need a nap.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Junie B. Jones is hilarious!!! Students in my second grade class LOVE Junie B. Jones. She is very funny and also teaches students how to spell words correctly and how to write letters! She is an all time favorite and this collection is FANASTIC!!!! In this book she goes to Hawaii with her parents on her Spring Break. It's hilarious!

[Tracey · Rating 3 out of 5]

-adventure, travel, Hawaii, first grade
-vocabulary study, including a few words in "Hawaiian"
-http://www.randomhouse.com/teachers/j...
-have students write in a journal like Junie
-make predictions about what will happen in the story
-see a Junie B. Jones play
-make up games to play on an airplane
-study Hawaiian culture, flora, fauna...