Junie B., First Grader: Boss of Lunch (Junie B. Jones, No. 19)
The irrepressible Junie B.--room 9's most boisterous first grader  nonpareil--has returned for another adventure, this time around as a  hair-netted, plastic-mitted "helper" in the school cafeteria. (Her dad wisely  guesses where this one's going: "A helper doesn't make things more difficult,  Junie B. A helper makes things easier. Okay?") The 19th installment in this  spunky series begins with much ado over the cultural implications of bought  and brought lunches and the exciting arrival of a shiny new lunch box. ("Come,  Herb! Come, Lennie and José! It's time for you to watch me eat out of my new  lunch box!") But events quickly eclipse such trifles, as Junie B. runs into good  ol' Mrs. Gutzman again, her "snack lady" from way back in kindergarten. ("That  woman was a gem, I tell you.")You might start feeling like Junie B.'s getting a littletooirrepressible in her old age. But then again, maybe you've just had a long day  (like Junie B.'s dad, presumably). Whatever the case, Barbara Park still rules  the school with her likeable beginning chapter-book series, and you can bet  Junie B. will be back for more, even after her lunch box loses its luster. (Ages  4 to 8)--Paul Hughes--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.