Scan barcode
emilyha's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
mariahistryingtoread's review against another edition
3.0
This one was super interesting because I disagreed with almost every decision the adults made in the book.
The conflict is That Meanie Jim is having a birthday party. As is well established by this point That Meanie Jim and Junie B hate one another. Jim is generally a rude little boy. Junie B can be - and often is - grating though, at least in her defense, she tries to be a nice person.
On the bus from school, the two get into one of their arguments when That Meanie Jim reveals his birthday his Saturday and due to her behavior he is uninviting her. Junie B tries to immediately backtrack on what she said, but unfortunately for her Jim's not budging.
Junie B mopes around her house, tries to move to avoid the embarrassment of being the only one to not get an invitation, and steals Cry Baby Warren's invitation. When caught she's sent to the principal's office, who after hearing her story, has a private talk with That Meanie Jim. It's then revealed that Junie B's mother called his mother the day before and he was supposed to give her an invitation, but chose not to. Junie B is overjoyed to now be invited.
My issue is that That Meanie Jim isn't merely being mean - admittedly that is part of it - nor is he trying to get back at Junie B after a minor spat. He legitimately does not care for Junie B in general. As such, I don't think it's right his mother forced him to give her an invitation or her principal shamed him for not doing so. Why invite a kid he doesn't like? Even if she would be the only kid in class not invited - if she's going to take away from his birthday experience then why should she come?
This is where the modern requirement of only allowing invitations outside of school hours stems from. Jim weaponizing his invitation is undoubtedly an issue, but that doesn't mean he's wrong for not inviting her - it's the way he goes about it, that's the central issue.
I think the conflict here is that as a reader you're supposed to be amused by Junie B and automatically side with her. I absolutely do not feel that way. I love Junie B, but she's a total brat most of the time. I understand why That Meanie Jim can't stand her so I wasn't upset that she didn't get invited. Kids tend to like Junie B so I'm sure that this is only an Adult Reader problem.
In the end Junie B doesn't even go to the party. She throws a tantrum because the gift she picks out is 'too good for That Meanie Jim' and she doesn't want to have to get dressed up. Her parents explain that if she's going to the party purely to avoid being the only one who doesn't, she's making herself miserable for no reason since it doesn't matter what the other kids think of her not attending.
If she wasn't going to go in the long run then I don't see why Barbara Park couldn't have tweaked it so that Junie B just isn't invited and realizes the lesson anyway. The same lesson can be learned either way, but only one is an actually good one.
A middling Junie B Jones book overall; of the four I read in March, this is my least favorite.
The conflict is That Meanie Jim is having a birthday party. As is well established by this point That Meanie Jim and Junie B hate one another. Jim is generally a rude little boy. Junie B can be - and often is - grating though, at least in her defense, she tries to be a nice person.
On the bus from school, the two get into one of their arguments when That Meanie Jim reveals his birthday his Saturday and due to her behavior he is uninviting her. Junie B tries to immediately backtrack on what she said, but unfortunately for her Jim's not budging.
Junie B mopes around her house, tries to move to avoid the embarrassment of being the only one to not get an invitation, and steals Cry Baby Warren's invitation. When caught she's sent to the principal's office, who after hearing her story, has a private talk with That Meanie Jim. It's then revealed that Junie B's mother called his mother the day before and he was supposed to give her an invitation, but chose not to. Junie B is overjoyed to now be invited.
My issue is that That Meanie Jim isn't merely being mean - admittedly that is part of it - nor is he trying to get back at Junie B after a minor spat. He legitimately does not care for Junie B in general. As such, I don't think it's right his mother forced him to give her an invitation or her principal shamed him for not doing so. Why invite a kid he doesn't like? Even if she would be the only kid in class not invited - if she's going to take away from his birthday experience then why should she come?
This is where the modern requirement of only allowing invitations outside of school hours stems from. Jim weaponizing his invitation is undoubtedly an issue, but that doesn't mean he's wrong for not inviting her - it's the way he goes about it, that's the central issue.
I think the conflict here is that as a reader you're supposed to be amused by Junie B and automatically side with her. I absolutely do not feel that way. I love Junie B, but she's a total brat most of the time. I understand why That Meanie Jim can't stand her so I wasn't upset that she didn't get invited. Kids tend to like Junie B so I'm sure that this is only an Adult Reader problem.
In the end Junie B doesn't even go to the party. She throws a tantrum because the gift she picks out is 'too good for That Meanie Jim' and she doesn't want to have to get dressed up. Her parents explain that if she's going to the party purely to avoid being the only one who doesn't, she's making herself miserable for no reason since it doesn't matter what the other kids think of her not attending.
If she wasn't going to go in the long run then I don't see why Barbara Park couldn't have tweaked it so that Junie B just isn't invited and realizes the lesson anyway. The same lesson can be learned either way, but only one is an actually good one.
A middling Junie B Jones book overall; of the four I read in March, this is my least favorite.
story_thief's review against another edition
5.0
Thank you, Junie B. Jones and Barbara Park, for introducing me to the joys of reading.
lee_hillshire's review against another edition
Kids really would hide in someone's tote bag to avoid being seen in the office. 😂
robotcommander's review against another edition
5.0
I have never read a more hilarious children's book.
cyireadbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Cute but Junie B is a little spoiled. Some parts were funny, though.
jbuck1975's review against another edition
3.0
A good read. Iliked how Parks dealt with the issue of not being invited to a party and how it made Junie B. feel.
http://bookbookseverywhere.blogspot.com/
http://bookbookseverywhere.blogspot.com/
melhara's review against another edition
2.0
1.5/5
Junie B. is a bully who never apologizes for her actions and expects to be rewarded for her behaviour. This was probably the worst Junie B. Jones book that I've read so far and would have given it a 1-star. I'm only bumping up my rating on the account of cute relationship with her grandpa.
----------------------------------------------
Part of a personal challenge to read all of my boyfriend's and his sister's childhood books before we donate and give them away.
----------------------------------------------
My average rating for this series so far: 1.88/5
My reviews for the books I've read in this series:
Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus (1.5/5) | Junie B. Jones and Little Monkey Business (1.5/5) | June B. Jones and Her Big Fat Mouth (1.5/5) | Junie B. Jones and Some Sneaky Peaky Spying (1.5/5) | Junie B. Jones and the Yucky Blucky Fruitcake (2/5) | Junie B. Jones and That Mean Jim's Birthday (1.5/5) | Junie B. Jones Loves Handsome Warren (2.5/5) | Junie B. Jones Has a Monster Under Her Bed (3/5)
Junie B. is a bully who never apologizes for her actions and expects to be rewarded for her behaviour. This was probably the worst Junie B. Jones book that I've read so far and would have given it a 1-star. I'm only bumping up my rating on the account of cute relationship with her grandpa.
----------------------------------------------
Part of a personal challenge to read all of my boyfriend's and his sister's childhood books before we donate and give them away.
----------------------------------------------
My average rating for this series so far: 1.88/5
My reviews for the books I've read in this series:
Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus (1.5/5) | Junie B. Jones and Little Monkey Business (1.5/5) | June B. Jones and Her Big Fat Mouth (1.5/5) | Junie B. Jones and Some Sneaky Peaky Spying (1.5/5) | Junie B. Jones and the Yucky Blucky Fruitcake (2/5) | Junie B. Jones and That Mean Jim's Birthday (1.5/5) | Junie B. Jones Loves Handsome Warren (2.5/5) | Junie B. Jones Has a Monster Under Her Bed (3/5)