Junie B. Jones books reviewed
Junie B. Jones is a popular children’s book series written by Barbara Park and illustrated by Denise Brunkus. The series portrays an almost six-year-old Junie and her adventures and experiences in kindergarten and the first grade.
Here, we’ll provide more information about the author and review the series.
About author Barbara Park
Barbara Park was born in Mount Holly, New Jersey, in 1947. She went to Rancocas Valley Regional High School and later got her Bachelor of Science at the University of Alabama.
During her senior year of high school, Park was voted “wittiest.” So, several years later, she wanted to see whether this humor of hers was enough to make some money.
At first, Park’s manuscripts were rejected until Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers bought three of her manuscripts. The first manuscript, Don’t Make Me Smile, was published in 1981, followed by Operation: Dump the Chump and Skinnybones in 1982.
Park wrote over 50 books from the picture book Ma! There’s Nothing to Do Here! to middle-grade novels such as The Kid in the Red Jacket, The Graduation of Jake Moon, and Mick Harte Was Here.
Her most famous character is Junie B. Jones, the star of her best-known book series. The series about the world’s funniest kindergartner and first-grader was published by Random House Books for Young Readers and sold more than 60 million copies just in the U.S.
It held the number one spot on The New York Times bestseller list for over 180 weeks. Numerous national outlets like USA Today and Newsweek, as well as the TV show Today, profiled the author and her amazing books.
Park once stated that many people consider children’s books valuable only if they offer moral lessons or impose perfect role models. However, she considered a book extraordinary if it gives the reader a smile or two.
This statement is the perfect testament to her incredibly fruitful writing career, during which she won over 40 children’s book awards, including several Children’s Choice Awards. She died in 2013 after fighting ovarian cancer for almost eight years.
Ever book from the Junie B. Jones series was illustrated by Denise Brunkus. Brunkus has illustrated over 60 books, including The Case of the Wandering Weathervanes: A McGurk Mystery, The Principal’s New Clothes, and the Oliva Sharp series.
Junie B. Jones book series reviewed
The Junie B. Jones series is essentially a collection of chapter books written for children in kindergarten to third grade. We’re introduced to the main character right away: a kindergartner with a spunky personality named Junie Beatrice Jones.
Since Junie doesn’t like her middle name, she shortens it to B.
We follow Junie from her first day of kindergarten, learn about her everyday life, and meet her mom, dad, brother Ollie, and friends Lucille, Grace, Herb, and others.
Junie is an average kindergartner who deals with everyday obstacles and dramas and embarks on occasional adventures. From feeling anxious about the stupid smelly bus to losing her tooth and meeting new friends, this book series depicts everything children face at a certain age.
What makes the Junie B. Jones collection stand out is the main character. Her tenacity and spunk make her very much realistic. Plus, children enjoy her humor and wit.
Most importantly, Junie B. Jones is relatable. She isn’t the prettiest, the smartest, or even the most polite girl. Junie is just a simple, average girl, which is the appeal.
Parents and teachers like the series because it promotes important character traits through Junie, who’s funny, strong-willed, imaginative, curious, active, and emotional. Of course, Junie’s also a bit mischievous and accident-prone.
Objectively speaking, Junie’s problems aren’t serious, but they are serious to her. The author uses these problems and the ways Junie handles them to present valuable lessons in a subtle manner. Through the books, readers can learn about honesty, respect, diversity, kindness, courage, and perseverance.
Here’s a list of Junie B. Jones books:
- Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus (Junie B. Jones is On Her Way!)
- Junie B. Jones and a Little Monkey Business
- Junie B. Jones and Her Big Fat Mouth
- Junie B. Jones and Some Sneaky Peeky Spying
- Junie B. Jones and the Yucky Blucky Fruitcake
- Junie B. Jones and That Meanie Jim’s Birthday
- Junie B. Jones Loves Handsome Warren
- Junie B. Jones Has a Monster Under Her Bed
- Junie B. Jones Is Not a Crook
- Junie B. Jones Is a Party Animal
- Junie B. Jones Is a Beauty Shop Guy
- Junie B. Jones Smells Something Fishy
- Junie B. Jones Is (Almost) a Flower Girl
- Junie B. Jones and The Mushy Gushy Valentime
- Junie B. Jones Has a Peep in Her Pocket
- Junie B. Jones Is Captain Field Day
- Junie B. Jones Is a Graduation Girl
- Junie B. Jones: First Grader (At Last!)
- Junie B. Jones: First Grader: Boss of Lunch
- Junie B. Jones: First Grader: Toothless Wonder
- Junie B. Jones: First Grader: Cheater Pants
- Junie B. Jones: First Grader: One-Man Band
- Junie B. Jones: First Grader: Shipwrecked
- Junie B. Jones: First Grader: Boo…and I MEAN IT!
- Junie B. Jones: First Grader: Jingle Bells, Batman Smells (P.S. So Does May)
- Junie B. Jones: First Grader: Aloha-ha-ha!
- Junie B. Jones: First Grader: Dumb Bunny!
- Junie B. Jones: First Grader: Turkeys We Have Loved and Eaten (and Other Thankful Stuff)
- Top-Secret Personal Beeswax: A Journal by Junie B. (and Me!)
- Junie B’s Essential Survival Guide to School
- Junie B.’s These Puzzles Hurt My Brain! Book
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FAQ
What grade level are Junie B. Jones books?
The books are on a second or third-grade reading level, but both younger and older children find them interesting.
What is Junie B. Jones’s favorite color?
She likes purple and red.
