Junie B., First Grader: Aloha-ha-ha! (Junie B. Jones, No. 26)
Kindergarten-Grade 2–Readers will happily board the plane with precocious Junie B. as she sets off for Hawaii with her parents. Her school assignment is to complete a photo journal documenting her vacation, but from the start its clear that her adventures are really misadventures. Her first photo captures two grouchpots, one in the seat in front of Junie B., and the other behind. Clearly, neither passenger is pleased with the girls seat kicking, endless chatter, or imaginative games with stuffed elephant Philip Johnny Bob and Barbie doll Delores. In the hotel gift shop, Junie insists on purchasing a parrot swim ring that proves much too small and gets stuck on her body for the entire trip. Later episodes include an unfortunate encounter with eels and jellyfish while snorkeling, and a bird that nests in Junie B.s hair when she adorns herself with exotic flowers. Clever language and outrageous antics make this irrepressible youngster a standout character. Brunkuss delightful black-and-white illustrations are a delight.–Gloria Koster, West School, New Canaan, CTCopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.