Junie B. Jones series by Barbara Parks

[dramaquill]

When I was writing a play for some young children, I started reading some books that had characters the same age as the young actors. This was when I discovered Barbara Parks and the Junie B. Jones series. Junie B is a precocious and hilarious five year old (later books see Junie B in Grade One - now six). Although written as easy readers for young children, as an adult I found the stories very real and filled with many "laugh-out-loud" moments. Parks created a character that jumps off the page as a culmination of so many little ones in the 5-6 year age range. Great series to read to kids, or for kids to read themselves.

[House_wife]

I'm not sure why but my seven year old does not like the Junie B. Jones series.

[Chelseafoshee]

I am a teacher and a firm believer in reading chapter books aloud with my kids each day. I teach 5-6 year olds, and out of all of the books I have read to them this year, the Junie B. series is their FAVORITE. It caters to all levels of readers ~ which I have a wide range of in the grade I teach. The students love her reactions to people and situations as she makes up silly words and over-reacts in the tone that she speaks in. I can personally see students outgrowing this type of book by the time they are 7 or 8 as Junie B. is an over-exaggerated character who says and does ridiculous things! It is a great beginner book for children who have only just begun to read or listen to chapter books.

[LivreAmour217]

These are cute books for younger readers. I've gotten to read these books out loud a couple of times, and I've rather enjoyed them, as Junie actually reminds me of myself at that age (I was quite melodramatic!)

[Ealasaid]

Both of my daughters read the Junie B. Jones books and loved them. They were great chapter books to read, especially for my youngest who was not a very strong reader.

[peony_olive]

My nephews used to fight over who had the most recent Junie B. Jones book! I loved being a part of that competition and buying the most recent ones for them - it was a great way of sparking their interest in reading.

[Mjelmer]

I am a kindergarten teacher and my own kids love this series

[pinkings1]

I'm going into 10th grade in school and have a few. I used to have almost all of them, but sold them since I had outgrown them.

[Supcoolfofa01]

My mom used to read these to my brothers and I when we were little before bedtime. We thought Junie B. was just the funniest kid ever.

[krood10]

I cannot get enough of Junie B. These books are very interesting to read with young children because they don't get the malapropism in the books that make them so funny. I find that when I read them out loud I have to stop too much because I'm laughing too hard and my young audience does not get it. For all parents, siblings, teachers, babysitters, or anyone who finds themselves having to read books out loud on a regular basis. Read Junie B. Jones. It will make reading time much more fun.

[markg11]

I have only read two of the "Junie B." books but I found them entertaining to read. The two that I read reminded me of my time in the first grade. I am one of those people that remember details of my school days even the earliest days. I think I am like the old Receiver in Lois Lowry's "The Giver". I seem to remember getting third prize in an art contest to doing a backward somersault walking down the aisle after tripping over a chair leg. Junie B. shows us how to laugh at ourselves. I really like Junie B. First Grader "Boss of Lunch" I read a few of these books as a trip down memory lane.

[stoppoppingtheP]

I loved Junie B Jones when I was younger, and when I saw my younger sister also reading it, I was very pleased.

[Nicolnik]

My daughters loved the movie and would watch it over and over. The books must be entertaining.

[dobar96]

I remember reading these books when i was younger and up to now i still cherish those books. i have even told my husband that it is a series his daughter will enjoy once she begins reading.

[H0LD0Nthere]

I love Junie B.! I agree, there are many laugh-out-loud moments, about half of them only funny to adults. What I love most is the way Junie speaks and narrates her stories. The author has the five-year-old speech rhythms down flat.

I also like how, with the way each book unfolds, Junie's behavior makes perfect sense to her, although seen from the outside (e.g. by the adults in her life), it would be both baffling and maddening. It's like the Ramona books in that way. I do recommend it for adults so that we can develop empathy with kids & develop a capacity to imagine that maybe the kid did mean well, despite all appearances. However, I know some adults who would hesitate to read Junie B. to a kid, since she gives them so many great ideas for chaotic and disrespectful behavior.