"Junie B., First Grader Aloha-ha-ha"

Title: "Junie B., First Grader Aloha-ha-ha"
Author: Barbara Park
Illistrator: Denise Brunbus
Publisher: Random House Children's Books, 2006
Genre: realistic fiction, novel
Grade: 1-2

Junie B. Jones is a first grader in Mr. Scary's class, room one. The book begins with Junie B. writing in her journal about the vacation she just found out about the previous night. Junie B.'s dad has a job interview in Hawaii and he surprised her and her mother with tickets to go with him. Mr. S gives Junie B. a camera and a photo journal so while Junie B. is in Hawaii she could tell her story through pictures. This was Junie B.'s first plane trip so she was very excited, but she soon realized that the woman in front of her and behind her were grouchy ladies! At the beginning of the trip, Junie B. was not having much fun but by the end of the trip she had a great day on her nature hike. While Junie B. was on her nature hike a little red bird became tangled up in her hair but Donald, the tour guide, helped her get untangled. Junie B. decided that this day was the "excitingest day ever!"

I love Junie B. Jones. I think she is so cute and has real life situations that younger students could find themselves in. I also think it is an easy read for first and second graders but it is definitely harder for teachers to read out loud. Barbara Park writes these books like Junie B. talks. It makes it confusing for older people who read it and know that the grammar is incorrect. The illustrations add to the story because it gives students the chance to look and see what Junie B. looks like and what is going on.

I would use this book in a small reading group towards the end of school when they are getting ready to go on their own vacations. It would also be a cute little story to read aloud when I'm looking for things to occupy some free time at the end of the day.