First Grader (at Last!) (Junie B. Jones - Junie B.

I agree with the other people writing these reviews. Junie B has grown up too fast and her attitude has changed. I wish that Park had written a summer story in between "Graduation Girl" and the first grader one. That way, it would give a bigger explanation why she has grown up a little bit. But Park made her spring up too fast for only being a first grader. I think it's cute how on the cover that her "B" is turned to the side to look like a pair of funny purple glasses. I'm 11 and have enjoyed the Junie B books, now, it feels like she's a different character. I kind of wish they did more explaining why Grace doesn't like to sit with her on the "stupid smelly bus" anymore. And why Lucille prefers the company of the twins instead of Junie B. It seemed to have just left you with Lucille skipping away to Camille and Chenille, then that was it for Lucy. And Junie B made a hissy-fit just because Grace wouldn't sit with her for ONE DAY. And THAT ended their friendship??? Park should have written more about that to make the story longer and funnier. Speaking of funny...Junie B also lost her pep. I miss her. I hope the up-coming stories are better. (...)

My own first grader devours these books, they are a great start to chapter book reading for those that are ready. Junie B. is quite a character and my daughter is frequently stunned by her behavior, but that makes for lively discussions, and I think it's actually quite liberating for her. I think of Junie B. as being a kind of magnified version of certain 6-year old character traits. Her strong emotions and resulting actions are examples of how I think almost every 6-year old feels sometimes, although not many of them act it out in quite the same way Junie B. does. In these books, she does it for them, and that's the appeal.

In this particular volume, Junie B. learns she needs glasses, and is very upset and self-conscious about it. Her working through this is the main plot of the book, although the book is not all that plot-driven, with many other meanders and sub-plots. All in all, entertaining and age appropriate.

Graduating from kindergarten and starting a new class with a new teacher named Mr. Scary is well ... scary enough! But, when it's even harder 'cause the stuff on the chalkboard is all blurry -- things start really going wrong for poor Junie.

Everybody's favorite first grader now needs glasses. What if the other kids laugh at her and refuse to be her friend? With Junie's usual style and unusual command of the English language, there are lots of laughs for young readers sure to identify with out heroine.

Barbara Parks has her finger on the pulse of just what her target audience is thinking, and Junie B., First Grader (At Last!) speaks to all their problems. It's just that Junie usually shows them just what shouldn't be done, with hilarious results.

Read it before the beginning of the school year with my youngest who is starting 1st grade. Hopefully it eased his anxiety a little, helped him worry less about whether his old friends will still be friends, made him hopeful for what new friends he might make, and I like Junie B. Jones. The honesty of her thoughts were refreshing, and I hope it inspires my kids to speak what is on their mind with me, because I would be curious if they think some of the same things.

When I was the kids' department head at a bookstore, I sometimes wondered what certain high-profile kids' series were like. I had read another Junie B. book about when she was in kindergarten, and was curious as to whether the style was any different now that the character was in first grade. It wasn't, but it was still cute. Junie B. got glasses.

This being the first and only Barbara Park book that I've read, I enjoyed Junie B., First Grader(as last!) despite my lack of knowledge of the previous Junie B. books in the series. There are many enjoyable features from this book, one being the comical remarks and witty phrases that little Junie B. uses. As Junie B. attempts her first day of school as a first grader she realizes that friendships have changed from kindergarten and she finds herself alone and hating first grade. Things don't improve for Junie B. when she learns that she has vision problems and will need glasses. This conflict draws young readers in and makes them want to read more to find out how thing will turn out for Junie B. Another great thing about the book is the way that the story works well independently without having any previous knowledge of other Junie B. series books. The characters and plot are both lively and interesting in the book. If all the Junie B. books in the series are as comical and pleasant as this one, then I am sure I would enjoy and recommend reading the entire series.

Our children love all the Junie B. books. The Junie B., First Grader (At Last!) was a hit with all of them. Our son related to the story because both he and Junie B. were First Graders - At last! at the same time.
His two sisters have also enjoyed the world of Miss Junie B. and I know you will too! It is an added bonus when both brother and sisters share an enjoyment in reading the same books.

My daughter loves the Junie B. books, and she read this one (several times) a few months ago. However, a few days ago, it turned out to be a very special book indeed, when we suddenly learned that she would also be getting glasses. We had gone to the eye-doctor thinking my son might need glasses, but it was my daughter that ended up with them. She was pretty upset (it was so unfair!), until we remembered Junie B! That helped her get over the shock enough to pick out frames and wear her glasses to school the next day. ALL the books in this series are delightful, but this has the special bonus of possibly providing some extra support "insurance" should the world go fuzzy for your little girl.

My daughter loves the Junie B. books, and she read this one (several times) a few months ago. However, a few days ago, it turned out to be a very special book indeed, when we suddenly learned that she would also be getting glasses. We had gone to the eye-doctor thinking my son might need glasses, but it was my daughter that ended up with them. She was pretty upset (it was so unfair!), until we remembered Junie B! That helped her get over the shock enough to pick out frames and wear her glasses to school the next day. ALL the books in this series are delightful, but this has the special bonus of possibly providing some extra support "insurance" should the world go fuzzy for your little girl.

My 7 year old daughter brought this home from school the other day. When she asked me what a word spelled, I was in shock. "Nearer"? Really? The book said "I leaned nearer to her". Why would anyone want their "learning to read" child to read this? Children this age already say incorrect words, why do you want a book teaching them more bad habits!? I don't think so Junie B. I'll try the "Ramona" books. I heard they were great.

Great, great job moving Junie B. up to first grade. I especially liked the way Junie B. kept her freshness and bouncy way of getting through life, but I also like how Ms. Park made Junie seem a little bit older and a little bit smarter...her writing reflects less use of the grammar and malapropisms that so fit Junie B. the kindergartener. I especially liked this one, because I got my first pair of glasses in elementary school too....and was just as afraid as Junie B. that I'd be made fun of. Ms. Park handled a sensitive subject beautifully. Keep up the great work!

I teach elementary school, and have been reading the Junie B. series to my classes the past several years. Books 1-17 have never failed to disappoint, and my students and I were eagerly anticipating Junie's new adventures in first grade.
Sadly, we are very disappointed. This newest book had no laugh-out-loud parts like the other books do. Junie has matured too much! She isn't funny any more! Her journal entries are nothing like what a real first grader would write and she seems to have lost her spunk. I hope Barbara Park reads these reviews and brings us back the old Junie in the next book. We miss her.

I can't imagine more inappropriate reading for a 5-8 year old. These books are loaded with poor grammar, individual words that are too advanced and, on top of that, they encourage bad behavior. Avoid this series.

What a hoot!. Kudos from my second graders. Junie B.'s new class, new friends, new teacher, and new adversary (tattletale May) are worthy successors to the fantastic kindergarten books. We're happy to report that Junie B. is still keeping us all in stiches!

These books are completely inappropriate for the kindergarten/1st grade set. Words like "hate" and "stupid" are commonplace as is name calling and other bad behavior. I was very disappointed as I had hoped for a great series for my almost 1st grader. These books give kids a really bad example of how to treat others.. something they should be learning at this age.

... I have just finished "Junie B. First Grader at Last" it was the best one out of my junie b. collection that I have read so far, I would recommend it to anyone that enjoys Junie B. Jones books,I can't wait until I get in 1st grade. GREAT BOOK