Junie B., First Grader: Toothless Wonder (Hardcover)

To parents who are considering Junie B. books: just like we tell our kids, give it one try...if you don't like it, you don't have to read any more. However, many of you will find the Junie B. Jones books terrific. They are perfect for kindergarten through second grade girls, especially if you are reading with them as a family so you can discuss Junie B's antics. There are many different topics that the books address; pick one that's applicable to you and try it out. Some are funnier than others. As with anything, different story/writing styles appeal to different personality types. Don't reject the books without trying them due to some of the written comments below. The "grammar police parents" may simply need to lighten up; they'd probably reject Huckleberry Finn, too.

Of course, Junie B. books are NOT Mark Twain novels, to say the least; they are not literary masterpieces. They are simply fun, entertaining, wholesome, and engaging.

When Junie B. is in first grade, she has to start writing in a journal. Those entries are usually at the beginning of each chapter. Junie B's writing is often the best and funniest part of the book. She misspells many words and corrects (sloppily, of course) the spelling in the journal. Her thoughts are simply comical and, at times, endearing. The journals help the reader get in Junie B.'s head.

Junie B's antics are hysterical and ridiculous. She gets kids to look outside of themselves and provides a wonderful stepping stone for involved parents to have meaningful conversations with their kids as to what actually is proper behavior, what someone could/should say in a situation, how to control themselves, etc. The adults in Junie B's life also make good conversation pieces ("how could they help Junie B. differently?", "how could they react better?", etc.). I can't tell you how much conversation Junie B. has generated in our family. Junie B. can be a terrific example of what NOT to do. Most children are smart enough to understand Junie B's limitations. Through a humorous story, they understand how Junie B. could have done something differently.

The first book "JBJ and the Stupid Smelly Bus" struck a nerve with us because my daughter was having trouble with riding the bus in kindergarten...she thought the bus smelled awful, among other things...this was before we had even known about Junie B. Jones. I tripped over this book in the book store later that year. We read it together and loved it. It got my daughter thinking about her struggle in a humorous way and helped her feel that she wasn't "alone" and would make it through (she adjusted quite well, although she still thinks the bus stinks...she's right, too)...and we discovered a whole line of books she could enjoy along the way.

She is now almost 8 (second grade) and she has learned to love reading BECAUSE of the Junie B. stories. They were the catalyst. Earlier, she was struggling to read independently, but now reads everything she can get her hands on. Junie B. books spurred her on. Even my almost 10 year old son, who has always been an extremely advanced reader, has enjoyed listening to Junie B's adventures (when he was much younger, he embraced the Magic Treehouse books with gusto). We all read Junie B. together because I enjoy them, too (I've already preordered the new May 2004 book)...we laugh and talk together during reading and afterward. My husband enjoys listening, too. Junie B. has helped the kids develop their wonderful sense of humor. My daughter reads the books herself over and over again. Her friends read them and they actually have book discussions together!

The Junie B. books are very simple with short chapters written in language for younger kids (approx. 5-8); they are very quick reads for adults and older kids. They are NOT academically-challenging, nor should they be! Like any other book or series, they may not be for everyone. They are simply FUN! Junie B. is a far from perfect character which makes her interesting and a great teaching tool...and she can make parents grateful their own children are as well-behaved as they are in comparison! Just give one a try.