The author of this iconic series, Barbara Park, created a world with a rambunctious, red-headed, and high-spirited kindergartener (and later first grader) named Junie B Jones. In 1992, Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus debuted, and since then, Park has put out over 30 other Junie books up until 2013. The New York Times Bestselling series set the tone for children’s literature that emphasized embracing one’s free spirit and never apologizing for who you are. Each eccentric title gave way to a storyline that was as wild as it was heartwarming and meaningful. Titles such as Junie B. Jones Is a Party Animal, Junie B. Jones Is (almost) a Flower Girl, and Junie B Jones Is a Beauty Shop Guy were just crazy enough to pique my interest, and just as well developed that they kept my attention.
Park, along with the illustrator of the Junie series, Denise Brunkus, created something so magical for little girls like my younger self. Fun, chaotic plotlines kept me interested. Bright, detailed drawings kept me enthralled. These smaller-sized chapter books, spanning about 80 pages, were a great introduction to the world of longer fictional works, and would be great for any younger reader interested in keeping the magic going for a few more pages. Each book contains messages of self-positivity and not being too hard on oneself for making mistakes (and trust me, Junie makes a lot of them).
These small chapter books became a staple in my library and single-handedly became the reason I fell in love with reading. They are the reason I call myself a reader and have attached that label to my identity now as a young adult. They are the reason I am able to write here today.
I could not put these books down as a child, and I’d beg my mom to buy the next book for me once I’d finished one on her Kindle. She was always astounded at how fast I’d read them. I re-read these books so many times that I probably could have quoted them. I loved Junie, and I wanted to be her friend, but I also wanted to be like her. Truthfully, Junie is a weird girl, but so was I, and I’d never felt so seen by a character until her. Her frizzy red hair, disheveled clothing, and carefree attitude gave me the confidence to embrace myself and all my quirks.
Such quirks included one of my favorite things to do on the weekends as a child, which was to make a fort underneath our kitchen table so I could read these books. This sounds strange, I know, but I’d drape blankets over the chairs and try my best to create a completely encapsulated space. I’d make it comfy with pillows and my comforter from my bed, and then I’d read. From sunup to sundown, I was under that kitchen table reading. I’ve never felt more at peace than when I was reading Junie under that table.
Through every season of life, every college class I’ve taken, every book club I’ve attended, if I’ve ever been asked the question, “What’s your favorite book series?,” my mind will always jump to Junie first. It’s almost hard to put into words what that little girl did for me growing up. As a military brat, I’ve moved from place to place, and I learned over the years that you can’t take people with you when you move, but you can take books. Books will follow you wherever you go; they never change. Junie has followed me through every stage of life, and she is still impacting me today, so much so that for my first blog post, I knew I’d have to tell you about her.
Now, truthfully, I haven’t read one of these books in a very long time, but I remember the feelings they gave me: comfort, joy, and serenity. I feel it each and every time, with the anticipation that courses through my veins when I pick up a new book and open to page one, that Junie is, and forever will be, beside me.
Bryanna Thompson, Pine Reads Review Writer