Junie B. Jones
Junie B. Jones is a children's book series written by Barbara Park and illustrated by Denise Brunkus. Published by Random House from 1992 to 2013, the story centers on "almost six-year-old" Junie B. Jones and her adventures in kindergarten, and later in first grade.
Books
Since the original book was published by Random House in 1992, a total of 31 Junie B. Jones books have been published. 28 are stories in the Junie B. Jones series, and three are activity books entitled Junie B.'s Essential Survival Guide, Top-Secret Personal Beeswax: A Journal by Junie B. , and Junie B.'s These Puzzles Hurt My Brain! Book. Several box sets, multiple book bind-ups, and a Valentine's Day card collection have also been released. The series has been translated into several languages in international releases, including in Spanish, Italian and French.Reception
The Junie B. Jones series came in at #71 on the American Library Association's list of the Top 100 Banned or Challenged Books from 2000 to 2009. Reasons cited are "poor social values taught by the books, and Junie B. Jones not being considered a good role model due to her mouthiness, bad spelling, and grammar."While author Barbara Park appreciated being on banned lists with writers she respected, she stopped reading information about her books because the comments were "too hurtful". She once wrote "Some people believe that the value of a children's book can be measured only in terms of the moral lessons it tries to impose or the perfect role models it offers. Personally, I happen to think that a book is of extraordinary value if it gives the reader nothing more than a smile or two. In fact, I happen to think that's huge."
Adaptations
Theatrical plays
Junie B. Jones the Musical, theatrical adaptation by Marcy Heisler and Zina Goldrich, Theatreworks USAJunie B.'s Essential Survival Guide to School, theatrical adaptation by Marcy Heisler and Zina GoldrichJunie B. Jones the Musical JR, adaptation of Junie B. Jones the Musical intended to be performed by young actorsJunie B. Jones and a Little Monkey Business, theatrical adaptation by Joan CushingJunie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus Tour, Random House, tour by Momentum Worldwide- 2008 Tour - Caitlin Thurnauer as Junie B. Jones, Jay Paranada as Mr. Woo; tour managed by Michael BarthJunie B. Jones: Jingle Bells, Batman Smells, theatrical adaptation by Allison Gregory; music composed by Rob WitmerJunie B. Jones: First Grader: Shipwrecked, theatrical adaptation by Allison GregoryJunie B. Jones and a Little Monkey Business, theatrical adaptation performed at B Street Theatre