Junie B. Jones is an internationally acclaimed children’s book series written by Barbara Park and illustrated by Denise Brunkus. These fun-filled stories follow the mishaps and adventures of a rambunctious kindergartener, Junie B.
The series began back in 1992 with the publication of Junie B Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus. Over the next two decades, Barbara Park wrote a further 30 installments before the final story was released in 2013. But even today, a decade after its completion, this captivating and comical series still delight parents and children worldwide.
So, if you’re looking for a children’s story that will capture the imagination of your little ones, why not give one of Barbara Park’s Junie B Jones books a try?
Who is Barbara Park?
Barbara Park was born in April 1947. She spent her childhood in Mount Holly, New Jersey, before heading south to study at the University of Alabama.
There she met her husband, Richard A. Park, and in 1969 the pair were married.
From then on, Barbara spent most of her time in Phoenix, Arizona, where she and Richard raised their two sons. And as her boys were growing up, she began penning the children’s books that would make her famous.
Park’s Junie B Jones series was an immediate success. Less than a year after the first title was released, she’d gone from an amateur budding writer to a New York Times bestselling author. And for the next twenty years, her career continued to go from strength to strength.
Sadly, Barbara Park passed away in November 2013 after a long and brave battle with ovarian cancer. But her captivating stories still live on in readers’ hearts.
The Junie B. Jones Books in Reading and Publication Order
| Sr. No | Title | Publication Date | Print Length | Publisher | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Junie B Jones and a Little Monkey Business | February 16, 1993 | 80 pages | Random House Books for Young Readers | Amazon |
| 2 | Junie B Jones and Her Big Fat Mouth | August 24, 1993 | 80 pages | Random House Books for Young Readers | Amazon |
| 3 | Junie B Jones and Some Sneaky Peeky Spying | May 24, 1994 | 66 pages | Random House Books for Young Readers | Amazon |
| 4 | Junie B Jones Is a Party Animal | September 16, 1997 | 80 pages | Random House Books for Young Readers | Amazon |
| 5 | Junie B Jones Is (Almost) a Flower Girl | May 25, 1999 | 80 pages | Random House Books for Young Readers | Amazon |
| 6 | Junie B Jones and the Mushy Gushy Valentine | December 21, 1999 | 80 pages | Random House Books for Young Readers | Amazon |
| 7 | Junie B, First Grader: Boss of Lunch | May 13, 2003 | 96 pages | Random House Books for Young Readers | Amazon |
| 8 | Junie B, First Grader: Cheater Pants | April 27, 2004 | 96 pages | Random House Books for Young Readers | Amazon |
| 9 | Junie B, First Grader: Jingle Bells, Batman Smells | September 22, 2009 | 128 pages | Random House Books for Young Readers | Amazon |
| 10 | Junie B, First Grader: Aloha-ha-ha! | May 8, 2007 | 128 pages | Random House Books for Young Readers | Amazon |
There are 28 main novels in the Junie B Jones series. Each book follows the events of the one before, so there’s no special reading order you need to know about. Follow the publication list below.
1. Junie B Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus (1992)
It’s Junie B. Jones’ first ever day at kindergarten. But she’s scared. After all, she doesn’t know anyone, and she’s never set foot on the school bus before. Will she conquer her fear?
2. Junie B Jones and a Little Monkey Business (1993)
When Junie B. Jones’ baby brother first arrives, she doesn’t understand the fuss. She thinks he’s nothing but a big dumb baby. But she soon realizes he’s more fun than she gave him credit for. Suddenly, her two best friends are desperate to see him, and she might even be able to take him to school to show off on Pet Day!
3. Junie B Jones and Her Big Fat Mouth (1993)
Junie B. isn’t having a great week. She’s got herself in trouble, and it’s all down to her big fat mouth. She’s accidentally told her class she’s got the best job in the world. And now, with Job Day just around the corner, she’ll have to prove to her kindergarten class that she’s true to her world.
4. Junie B Jones and Some Sneaky Peeky Spying (1994)
Junie B. thinks she’s the sneakiest and the best spy there ever was. After all, she’s quick and quiet on her feet, and she doesn’t make a whistling sound with her nose when she breathes.
But when she spies on her kindergarten teacher, Junie B. lands herself in hot water all over again.
5. Junie B Jones and the Yucky Blucky Fruitcake (1995)
It’s carnival time, and young Junie B finally wins herself a delicious fruitcake after plenty of persistence. But this fruitcake turns out to be less delicious.
6. Junie B Jones and That Meanie Jim’s Birthday (1996)
Jim, the meanie in class, organized a birthday party and invited everyone. Everyone except Junie B! But how can she get her revenge?
7. Junie B Jones Loves Handsome Warren (1996)
Junie B. can’t believe her luck when a new kid arrives at kindergarten. He’s the most handsome boy she’s ever seen! But she’s not the only girl in class who thinks so.
8. Junie B Jones Has a Monster Under Her Bed (1997)
Junie B. knows better than to believe in monsters. After all, Mother and Daddy said they’re not real. But still, she can’t shake the feeling that something is living under her bed.
9. Junie B Jones Is Not a Crook (1997)
Junie B. has been the victim of a terrible theft! Someone at school has stolen her brand-new mittens! So, when she discovers the world’s best pen lying on the floor, she decides to keep it. But can two wrongs ever really make a right?
10. Junie B Jones Is a Party Animal (1997)
Junie B’s filthy rich friend Lucille is planning a sleepover. But this isn’t just any old sleepover. It’s a sleepover in Lucille’s wealthy nanna’s giant mansion, and Junie B. can’t wait.
But can she and her best friend Grace behave themselves? Or is their dream come true about to turn into a disaster?
11. Junie B Jones Is a Beauty Shop Guy (1998)
Junie B. knows what she wants to be when she grows up. She wants to cut hair, just like a beauty shop guy. But she’ll need plenty of practice and some willing volunteers to achieve her dream.
12. Junie B Jones Smells Something Fishy (1998)
Pet day is fast approaching at school, but much to Junie B. Jones’ disappointment, no dogs are allowed. Mother and Daddy have refused to buy her another pet. So, she hunts for a new one all by herself.
13. Junie B Jones Is (Almost) a Flower Girl (1999)
Junie B.’s dear Aunt Flo is getting married. It’s the biggest celebration of the year, and Junie can’t wait to be the center of attention on the big day.
But there’s just one problem; she’s not been chosen as a flower girl! So, she’ll have to find another way to steal the limelight.
14. Junie B Jones and the Mushy Gushy Valentine (1999)
Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, and this feisty little kindergartener is in for a big surprise.
She has a secret admirer, and he’s sent her a big, mushy Valentine’s card to show her how much he cares! But who is this mystery boy? Junie B. is determined to find out.
15. Junie B Jones Has a Peep in Her Pocket (2000)
Here Junie B. and her Room Nine class head off on a field trip to a farm. There’s all the kind of farm stuff you’d expect, including farm animals that you’re allowed to pet! But there’s one thing puzzling Junie B. Where on earth is the gift shop?!
16. Junie B Jones Is a Captain Field Day (2001)
It’s field day, and Junie B. Jones is the proud team captain of Room Nine. But much to her annoyance, Room Eight seems to be winning all the events. Can Junie B. find a way to lead her kindergarten class to victory?
17. Junie B Jones Is a Graduation Girl (2001)
Kindergarten graduation day is just around the corner. And so, Junie B. and the rest of her Room Nine class have been given their crisp white graduation gowns, ready for the big day.
Her teacher told her to keep the gown safely in its box, but Junie B Jones couldn’t help herself. And then, disaster strikes!
18. Junie B., First Grader (at Last!) (2001)
Junie B. Jones is finally a first-grader! She has a new teacher, and there’s a new set of kids to make friends with. But something isn’t quite right. Junie B. can’t read the words on the chalkboard! Could she need glasses?
19. Junie B, First Grader: Boss of Lunch (2002)
It’s a dream come true for Junie B. Jones. She’s getting to help out in the cafeteria, just like a real-life lunch lady. She’ll be standing behind the counter, serving out delicious hot meals, and she’ll even get to wear a real-life hair net!
And even better, her new job means she gets to hang out with her favorite teacher, Mrs. Gutzman.
But will Junie become too big for her boots?
20. Junie B, First Grader: Toothless Wonder (2002)
Junie B. Jones has reached an important milestone; one of her front teeth is about to fall out! But Junie B. isn’t so sure that she’s ready. What if she looks like her toothless uncle? And who is this strange lady who calls herself the tooth fairy?
21. Junie B, First Grader: Cheater Pants (2003)
Junie B. knows that cheating is wrong. After all, nobody likes cheater-pants.
But what seems like cheating isn’t always cheating, at least not in Junie’s book. For example, copying your friend’s homework is fair game. And sharing answers with your neighbor during a test is a-ok, too. After all, sharing is caring!
Uh oh! It seems like the rules of cheating are a little more complicated than Junie B. thought. Could she be a cheater-pants after all?
22. Junie B, First Grader: One-Man Band (2003)
The first-grade kickball tournament is about to get underway, but poor Junie B. is out of action. She’s injured her big toe, and there’s no way she can play. But she’s still determined to steal the show, no matter what.
23. Junie B, First Grader: Shipwrecked (2004)
Room One is organizing a play, and Junie B. knows she’s the show’s star. But things keep going wrong. The cast is getting sick and bossy boots. May thinks she’s in charge of everything.
Can Junie B. save the production and pull off a show-stopping performance?
24. Junie B, First Grader: Boo…and I Mean It! (2004)
It’s Halloween, and everyone is looking forward to going trick-or-treating. Everyone except for Junie B. After all, witches, ghosts, and goblins might be real, and Junie B. isn’t willing to take the risk.
25. Junie B, First Grader: Jingle Bells, Batman Smells! (2005)
It’s Christmas time, and Junie B’s Room One class is in full festive cheer. There are plenty of fun celebrations to be had, heaps of carols to sing, multiple elf costumes to make, and a Secret Santa to organize.
But unfortunately for Junie B, her arch nemesis, Tattletale May, insists on dampening her holiday happiness. And things only get worse when she pulls out May’s name in the Secret Santa.
But then Junie B. has a thought. Could Secret Santa be the perfect opportunity to serve up a cold dish of revenge?
26. Junie B, First Grader: Aloha-ha-ha! (2006)
Junie B. is heading off to Hawaii with her family for some fun in the sun. And to top it all off, Mr. Scary has given her a real-life camera to snap amazing photos on her trip.
But despite her endless enthusiasm, Junie soon realizes that capturing the magic of the Aloha state isn’t always easy. Because wherever Junie B. goes, trouble follows close behind.
Will she find the picture-perfect tropical vacation she dreamed of? Or will Hawaii get her into hot water?
27. Junie B, First Grader: Dumb Bunny (2007)
Lucille is hosting an Easter celebration at her big luxurious mansion, and whoever wins the egg hunt gets to go for a swim in her fancy indoor pool.
Junie B. is determined to win, but there’s just one problem. She’s stuck wearing a big old easter bunny suit and can’t stop tripping over her feet.
28. Junie B, First Grader: Turkeys We Have Loved and Eaten (and Other Thankful Stuff) (2012)
Gobble, gobble, it’s Thanksgiving, and Junie B’s school is hosting a festive feast!
As part of the celebrations, each class writes a thankful-for list, and whichever one wins gets a big pumpkin pie. But Junie B’s Thanksgiving enthusiasm is soon dampened when she realizes the pie tastes terrible.
The Junie. B. Jones Bonus NonFiction Books
Alongside the story books above, author Barbara Park has published four nonfiction books that complement the main series.
Here they are in the order they were originally published.
1. Top-Secret Personal Beeswax (2003)
This rip-roaring companion book is an opportunity to know this hilarious heroine better. The pages are packed with personal sketches and notes by Junie herself, plus creative prompts to encourage little ones to join in the fun!
2. Junie B.’s Essential Survival Guide to School (2009)
This hilarious interactive classroom survival guide is brought to you by the infamous Junie B Jones.
It’s packed with everything you wished you’d have known on your first day of school, including tips on how to stay out of trouble and avoid the pesky teacher’s wrath!
3. Junie B.’s These Puzzles Hurt My Brain! Book (2011)
It’s the ultimate puzzle book with a side-splitting twist. Each game is designed to test your knowledge about the one and only Junie B. Jones. So, how well do you know this feisty first-grader?
4. Junie B. My Valentine (2013)
This Valentine’s Day special is a compendium of some of the world’s most hilarious valentines, composed by none other than Junie B. Jones.
Conclusion
Junie B. Jones is one of the most iconic children’s book characters of the 21st century. Her hilarious antics and outlandish adventures have captivated young readers for over three decades. And though Junie has retired from making mischief and mayhem, these books, and her legacy, still live on.
Are you and your kids already fans of Barbara Park’s Junie B Jones series? If so, I’d love to hear about your favorite books. Please drop me a comment in the box below!