Junie B. Jones and Ramona Quimby

These books are funny and above all interesting to the age group they are intended for. And it is not painful for the parent to read these books to their children like it is for so many chapter books in this age group.

I personally enjoy these books as they remind me of the Ramona series of books by Beverly Cleary. Ramona often did things that were not necessarily nice. In fact, many of Cleary's characters didn't always behave in the best way possible. Ramona was often mischievous and somewhat of a pest in the books and encountered the same sort of problems that children her age have to deal with. Much like Junie B. Both are written very well from the perspective of a child at that age, regardless of the age of the writer.

As for the arguments against the books, my first grade daughter has roughly a third grade reading level. She knows proper grammar and English and knows when Junie is saying something incorrectly. However, the fact of the matter is that first graders are often just learning grammar. Grammar rules are difficult at that age. If almost every word you encounter you ad an -ed to create the past tense, first grade logic dictates that the past tense version of "run" would be "runned".

On the name calling and attitude issue, my daughter also doesn't use those words. Once again, she is able to tell the difference between right and wrong. Books often present right and wrong. I agree with the reviewer that perhaps they wouldn't be appropriate for a toddler, but a first grader just entering chapter books generally is very able to understand what is acceptable and what is not acceptable. My daughter knows that just because other children hit, it does not make it okay for her to hit. By the logic presented by some of the reviewers, the average child should run right out and start calling everyone stupid because they will all of a sudden decide it's not wrong anymore.

These books are written as entertainment. They are written to appeal to your child's sense of humour and occasionally the parent reading the book to their child. Junie B. Jones is not meant to be a "Book of Virtues". It is meant to be reading material for your child who is just discovering the joy of reading and what she can experience through books. If every book a child had to read was supposed to teach some sort of moral lesson as opposed to simply being enjoyable it would make reading a very boring place.

Give Junie B. a Break

Sometimes, my eight-year-old's dance teacher will repeat the mistakes that my daughter and the rest of her classmates make. When she does this, the girls all giggle. She looks so silly when she dances like that!

When my eight year old reads a Junie B. Jones book, much of her laughter comes from knowing that Junie B. does not know how to speak proper English. She sounds so silly when she talks like that!

I would not read this series to a 3-year-old who is just learning to form sentences. (Duh.) But it's time to take a chill pill about J.B.'s improper grammar and hijinks. My children (6 and 8 years old) read these books, and they are at the tops of their classes in reading. They understand grammar rules, and are excellent spellers. Doesn't it seem even slightly unrealistic that one book series will corrupt a child's speech and manners, when that child is also exposed to other good literature?
Reading is supposed to be fun. Exposing children to many different kinds of characters in literature will only benefit them.
These books are innocent. Junie B is not overly sexualized, like some of the TV characters aimed at our young children. She doesn't worship the devil. And she does visit the principal's office regularly for her bad behavior (contrary to the statement that Junie never faces consequences for bad behavior.)
If you are really concerned about your child adopting Junie B's behavior, read a book aloud with your child. When Junie does something wrong, point your thumbs down. When she does something right, point your thumbs upward. Guess what! You will be surprised at how often you can give a thumbs up to Junie... when you are looking for something good instead of something to complain about.

Uses words like "hate" and "stupid" endlessly...

My child was introduced to this series at school. I went out and bought the whole series because of my child's enthusiasm for the books. I have read three books to my children and now will unfortunately be auctioning off the series on Ebay. Although I am sure I will lose money on the deal, it will be worth it. The book teaches and shows approval for a bad attitude and children spouting off the words, "hate" and "stupid" ENDLESSLY. I know my child doesn't talk like this and it is nothing that I want to let him think is a cute and normal behavior for a child, as this series does. (And apparantly plenty of reviewers!)
The author is wonderful and has a terrific imagination. I laughed a lot while reading the books. My child is in first grade. Perhaps it would be fun light reading for a fifth or sixth grader. However, I feel I would be failing my child by reading more into the series. If I were to do this, I would be showing approval for behavior that is rude, selfish, and nauseating. I know children's books are usually based on mistakes children make and a good way to teach lessons. However, so far there has not been any mention of her bad attitude and a way to approve it. She seems to be rewarded for her behavior and not punished.
As far as the review that stated that this was a great series unless you were planning on raising a little nun or pope, I completely disagree. I am trying to raise a child who is respectful to other children and also to adults. I am trying to raise a child who isn't crass, selfish and obnoxious. We are responsible for what we expose our children to. My child is mature enough to know right from wrong, but if the wrong is glorified too often, the line between right and wrong gets pretty blurry. The main character in a children's series becomes a role model for children. I want a role model with a positive attitude.
In regards to the reviewer's comment that by disapproving of this series a parent is blaming others for their child's behavior, I couldn't disagree more! It is the people who don't participate in what their child does that blame others, not an involved parent.
I am going to be trying the Nate the Great Series and The Magic TreeHouse Series Next.