Junie B. Jones and Her Big Fat Mouth (Junie B. Jones, Book 3)
Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that much of the humor comes from Junie's bad behavior. Young readers are supposed to laugh at it, not emulate it.
Families who read this book could discuss Junie's behavior. Why does she act the way she does? What are some of the things she misunderstands? How would you have solved some of her problems? Also, the book's theme may inspire conversations with kids about what they would like to be when they grow up.
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Matt Berman
The zany antics of spoiled young kids has been done many times, and often better. See, for instance, the Ramona books by Beverly Cleary, the Judy Moody books by Megan McDonald, the Sam books by Lois Lowry, or the Calliope Day books by Charles Haddad, among many others series.
The Junie series (approaching 30 books at last count) is amusing to most 6 year olds, which keeps early readers reading, and it's mostly harmless and silly fun. So no harm done.
What makes it so much less effective as literature than the series mentioned above, though, is the failure to engage Junie as a real character. She behaves outrageously, which is the source of the humor, but the author never really lets us know why, which means the reader is usually laughing at her, rather than in sympathy with her.
Still, it serves its main purpose, to give kids something easy and fun and repetitive on which to sharpen their reading skills, well enough. And parents can look forward to the day when their children graduate to books with a little more meat.
From The Book
Mrs. put her finger to her lips. That means be quiet.
"YEAH, ONLY GUESS WHAT? JELLY DOUGHNUTS ARE MY MOST FAVORITE KIND OF DOUGHNUTS! EXCEPT I ALSO LIKE THE CREAMY KIND. AND THE CHOCOLATE KIND! AND THE KIND WITH RAINBOW SPRINKLES ON THE TOP!"
After that, my mouth got very watering. And some drool fell on the table.
I wiped it up with my sweater sleeve.
Plot Summary:
Loud and impulsive kindergartner Junie B. Jones is usually highly opinionated, but when her teacher announces Career Day, she isn't sure what she wants to be when she grows up. She's pretty sure it will involve painting, keys, and saving people, but there's no job that includes all that. Or is there?
Related Books:
More Junie B. Jones
Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus
Junie B. Jones and a Little Monkey Business
Junie B. Jones and Some Sneaky Peeky Spying
Junie B. Jones and the Yucky Blucky Fruitcake
Other Books by Barbara Park
Mick Harte Was Here by Barbara Park
Junie B. Jones and Her Skinnybones
The Kid in the Red Jacket
Beanpole
Related Web Site
Official Site
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ViolenceJunie can be physical to get her way, including pinching and headbutting. |
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Social BehaviorJunie is loud and impulsive. |
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CommercialismCandy brand. |
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