Book Review - Maggie D.

Junie B. Jones Is (almost) a Flower Girl

By: Barbara Park

Summary:

In this book Junie B. Jones wants to be a grown-up lady. She invites herself to become the flower girl of her Aunt Flo’s wedding; however, Aunt Flo already had a flower girl picked out. Junie B. Jones becomes the alternate flower girl. She attempts to steal everyone’s attention and prove that she is a lady.

Review:

The perspective I would like to use to consider this text is the discussions it would open up for students. I found this Junie B. Jones book to be a great read for younger females. They would find it both enjoyable and humorous, while also learning a few lessons from the text.

I would probably make this book a read aloud among a small book club of females. I think Junie B. Jones books are very entertaining to read aloud because of the attitude Barbara Park gives the characters when they are speaking. This also gives the reader a chance to practice reading aloud and using different, fun voices. I know I enjoyed looking at the pictures throughout the book, so I would want the reader to make sure to show each picture throughout the story. These pictures are not in color; however they give the reader a great image of what is happening in the story. I would want my students to have a discussion about each picture and what is happening in them.

I would also like my students to discuss what Junie B. Jones is doing wrong throughout the text. In the beginning she uses force and causes her “boyfriend” to break up with her. Then she refuses to go inside after recess. Later, Junie B. Jones invites herself to be in her Aunt Flo’s wedding. During the wedding she grabs the flower basket away from the real flower girl. There are many mistakes Junie B. Jones made and I would like my students to discuss these situations, the outcomes, and what would have been a better way for her to handle them.

The last part of the discussion I would open up for my students is to discuss how they felt about the book. I believe it is important for students to express their opinions, whether they are positive or negative. I feel like some students would not enjoy the book as much as others if they did not pick up on all the small jokes. For example, Junie B. Jones’ parents were teasing her at the dinner table and she did not notice. Barbara Park uses a lot of humor around Junie B. Jones without her noticing it. I also want my students to try to make a personal connection with one of the characters in the story. This could be Junie B. Jones, her mother, her aunt, her boyfriend, etc. I think it is important for students to learn from characters and examine them.

I really enjoy Junie B. Jones books because they are entertaining for most people. Using this text as a tool for discussion is something I would consider in my classroom. Having a discussion about the story is a great learning opportunity while it also lets young readers reflect and comprehend on what they read.

 Citation:

Park, Barbara. Junie B. Jones Is (almost) a Flower Girl. United States of America: Random House, 1999. Print.