Junie B., First Grader (at last!) is the eighteenth book in the Junie B. Jones series. It is also the first book of the first grade series. It was written by Barbara Park and illustrated by Denise Brunkus.
Summary[]
It's a brand new school year for Junie B. Jones. However, she is anxious about first grade, especially since her friends dropped out on her. Fortunately, she makes new friends, but the biggest troubling change comes when she has trouble reading the board and is told she has to get glasses.
Plot[]
It is the first day of first grade for Junie B. She writes in her journal that things are new for her. She also explains that May, her classmate in first grade, is mean to her. Junie B. then explains that she saw Lucille in a line of people when Mr. Jones introduced Junie B. to first grade. However, Lucille ditches her for her new friends who are twins even after Junie B said they could all be friends, much to Junie B.'s devastation. Her mom and dad say that sometimes, life has disappointments in it, and that she has to roll with the punches. Junie B., initially unable to bear with the changes first grade is giving her, openly complains on how first grade is a flop.
On the bus ride to school the following Monday, Junie B notices Grace get on the bus with a new girl from her class and she didn't like that. The girl's name is Bobbi Jean Piper, and Bobbi is unpleasant to Junie B. Junie B., disappointed that she lost another friend to a random girl, forces herself to find a random bus seat when Mr. Woo yells at her to do so. However, in doing so, Junie B encounters a boy named Herb. Herb explains that first grade is a huge change for him, too. Realizing Herb isn't bad, Junie B. befriends him.
In school, Mr. Scary plans a fun activity for Junie B. and her classmates. He proceeds to write random words on the chalkboard, and assigns everyone to choose two words from the board and draw pictures based on the words they chose. He also explains that no one is allowed to peek at other's drawings for help. However, Junie B. do so after the instructions are given, and May exposes her to Mr. Scary, having him frown at Junie B. in the process.
Junie B. and her classmates proceed to draw, and when the drawings are presented one by one, and it is Junie B.'s turn afterward, Junie B. appears to have drawn pictures of words that were not written by Mr. Scary. Mr. Scary thinks Junie B. misread the words, so during recess, Junie B. is forced to stay in the classroom for a while since Mr. Scary writes down three sentences on the chalkboard. Initially, Junie B. reads the sentences wrong, forcing Mr. Scary to take her to the front of the room, and therefore, Junie B. reads the sentences properly. She is relieved that she has done so, but her relief is wiped off when Mr. Scary takes her to Mrs. Weller, the school's nurse. After a few eye tests, it is figured that Junie B. needs glasses, to her irritation.
At dinner, Junie B. and her parents proceed to argue about the need of wearing glasses, and when Junie B.'s disrespect goes too far, she is sent to her room.
When Junie B. goes to school, she is holding something, but doesn't show it to anyone at first. Later, Mr. Scary hosts show-and-tell, and each kid gets to present his/her item. Mr. Scary is pleased and impressed with the items, and when he calls Junie B. for her turn, she initially accepts only to change her mind out of embarrassment. Suddenly, Junie B. unknowingly forces herself to stand up, thus bringing herself to the front of the classroom. Mr. Scary, worried and concerned for her, asks her if she wants to do the show-and-tell some other time, but Junie B. wants to get it over with. She then proceeds to pull out what the item she initially wasn't showing anyone, and it is revealed to be a pair of purple eyeglasses. May laughs in an extremely mean-spirited way, hurting Junie B.'s feelings in the process. However, Herb comes to he rescue and convinces her to wear them and read something. So, Junie B. puts on her glasses, and reads the announcement on the board properly on her first try. The kids and Mr. Scary are pleased and impressed, and Junie B. states that she will indeed love first grade.
Trivia[]
- This is the first book where Junie B. is in first grade.
- Grace makes her final appearance and Bobbi Jean Piper makes her only appearance in this book.
- This is the first book to feature May, Camille, Chenille, Herb, and Jose.
- This is the final book for Junie B to wear skirts and tights.
- Moral: Learn to accept and embrace change even if it is hard.