On her family's vacation to Hawaii, little Junie B. yearns for a picture-perfect day, an afternoon when she can take flawless photos with her fancy new camera. But the entire world (especially those grouchy women on the plane) seems to be conspiring against our budding first-grade Dorothea Lange.
School Library Journal
K-Gr 2-Readers will happily board the plane with precocious Junie B. as she sets off for Hawaii with her parents. Her school assignment is to complete a photo journal documenting her vacation, but from the start it's clear that her adventures are really misadventures. Her first photo captures two "grouchpots," one in the seat in front of Junie B., and the other behind. Clearly, neither passenger is pleased with the girl's seat kicking, endless chatter, or imaginative games with stuffed elephant Philip Johnny Bob and Barbie doll Delores. In the hotel gift shop, Junie insists on purchasing a parrot swim ring that proves much too small and gets stuck on her body for the entire trip. Later episodes include an unfortunate encounter with eels and jellyfish while snorkeling, and a bird that nests in Junie B.'s hair when she adorns herself with exotic flowers. Clever language and outrageous antics make this irrepressible youngster a standout character. Brunkus's delightful black-and-white illustrations are a delight.-Gloria Koster, West School, New Canaan, CT Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
From the Publisher
From USA TODAY:
"Junie B. is the darling of the young-reader set."
From Publisher' Weekly:
"Park convinces beginning readers that Junie B.—and reading—are lots of fun."
From Kirkus Reviews:
"Junie's swarms of young fans will continue to delight in her unique take on the world....A hilarious, first-rate read- aloud."
From Booklist:
"Park, one of the funniest writers around . . . brings her refreshing humor to the beginning chapter-book set."
From Time magazine:
"Junie B. Jones is a feisty six-year-old with an endearing penchant for honesty."
From School Library Journal:
"Readers will relate instantly to the trials and tribulations of this first grader....She is always endearing and wonderfully funny."
AUG/SEP 07 - AudioFile
[Editor’s Note: This is a combined review with JUNIE B., FIRST GRADER: DUMB BUNNY.]--Lana Quintal's tiny, squeaky voice brings alive the huge personalities of Junie B. and her first-grade friends. Quintal creates laughter as she becomes snotty Lucille, tattletale May, and sassy Junie. DUMB BUNNY finds Junie at rich Lucille's party, competing to find a golden egg and win a swim in Lucille's heated pool. Instead, humor is what heats up when Junie B. bumbles around in an awkward bunny costume. In ALOHA-HA-HA, the focus is on Junie as she travels to Hawaii with her parents. From dealing with "grouchpots" on the plane to spending the entire vacation stuck in a blow-up swim ring that's too small, Quintal's voice increases the hilarity. S.W. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine
