Junie B., First Grader (at last!)

Junie B. books are written by Barbara Park. I grew up loving this series. Children tend to really enjoy this series as Park uses humor and writes about topics that children can relate to. Junie B., First Grader (at last!) is narrated by Junie who has finally entered first grade. She is excited for the new school year to begin and can't wait to see old friends. First grade isn't what it is talked up to be as Junie has trouble with old friends and adjusting to her new classroom. On top of having trouble adjusting, Junie finds out that she needs glasses; she is scared that her classmates will laugh at her new purple glasses. Junie befriends a boy, Herbert, who is new to the school. When Junie takes her glasses in for show and tell, Herbert pulls through for Junie and sticks up for her when the glass starts to poke fun of her. Herbert runs to the front of the class and grabbing her glasses says, "Cool! Purple glasses!" He says that she must have special eyes and questions whether it could be x-ray vision. The class then starts to chime in one at a time commenting on Junie's glasses saying how cool and stylish they are. Just as Junie was becoming discourage with first grade, she begins to realize that first grade might not be so bad after all.

This is a good book for children to read because of the message. A situation of this type, not fitting in, is a topic relatable for many children. It teaches children how taunting and mocking can effect a child. By sticking up for someone you can really make a difference to that child. In Junie's case, Herbert stuck up for Junie and swayed the entire class into thinking Junie's glasses were the coolest things ever. Junie got so much positive attention from her classmates and they began to look up to her. One person, as Herbert was in this story, can have a major effect on the entire environment.