About Barbara...
Citations
Barbara Lynne Park is best known for
being the author of the best-selling
series Junie B. Jones. The series has sold
over 60 million copies in the Unites
States alone. But she is more than just
the author of 28 successful Junie B.
Jones stories, she has written over 50
books. She originally was pursuing a
career of being a High school History
teacher, but she soon realized her
calling to be a writer. Her true talent
was her ability to take the struggles
children face on a daily basis and bring
light and comical relief to help kids
to feel comfortable in their own skin.
She was born in Mount Holly, New
Jersey, on April 21, 1947, but she spent
most of her adult life living in Arizona.
Unfortunately in 2013, she lost her 7 ½
year battle with ovarian cancer. She left
behind a husband, 2 sons, and a legacy
children won't ever forget.
"There are those who believe that
the value of a children’s book can
be measured only in terms of the
moral lessons it tries to impose or
the perfect role models it offers.
Personally, I happen to think that a
book is of extraordinary value if it
gives the reader nothing more than
a smile or two. In fact, I happen to
think that’s huge."
Park, B., & Brunkus, D. (1992). Junie B. Jones
and The Stupid Smelly Bus. New York:
Barbara
Park
Random House.
Park, B., & Brunkus, D. (1993). Junie B. Jones
and A Little Monkey Business. Milsons Point,
N.S.W.: Random House Australia.
Park, B., & Brunkus, D. (1994). Junie B. Jones
and Some Sneaky Peeky Spying. United States
of America: Random House.
Park, B. (1999). Junie B. Jones and her Big Fat
Mouth. Random House.
Park, B. (2000). The Geek Chronicles 1: Maxie,
Rosie, and Earl--Partners in Grime.
Park, B. (2002). Almost Starring Skinnybones.
New York: Scholastic.
Park, B., & Garofoli, V. (2008). Ma! There’s
Nothing to do Here! New York: Random
House.
Park, B., & Brunkus, D. (2009). Junie B. Jones
and That Meanie Jim’s Birthday. North
Sydney,
N.S.W.: Random House Australia.
Park, B. (2016). Skinnybones. New York:
Yearling.
Park, B. (1995). Mick harte was here. New
York: Knopf.
Front page image received from: Norma Jean
Gargasz/Getty Images for The New York
Times
Book cover images received from
Amazon.com
By: Tyler Waller, Hannah Wolff, Paige
Wagner
 Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus
A girl named, Junie B Jones, who is almost 6
years old is starting Kindergarten. While
going to school doesn’t make her nervous,
riding the school bus does. So instead of
riding the bus home, she decides to have an
adventure after school by herself hiding in
and out of closets.
Junie B. Jones and a Little Monkey Business
Junie B. is back but this time with a little
brother she is not very thrilled about. Her
grandma calls him the cutest little monkey
which gives Junie B. an idea. At show and
tell she decides to tell her class about her
new baby brother who is a real monkey.
Junie B. holds an auction to have her class
meet her baby monkey brother. Her class
began offering lunches, snacks, shoes, and
clothes and as this goes well, Mrs. caught
her and tattled on her to the principal and
her mom.
Junie B. Jones and her Big Fat Mouth
Having a rough day in Kindergarten already
this week, Junie B., gets in trouble for
mouthing off to her teacher and got
punished. But Monday is “Job day” and after
seeing various occupations like a cop and
dentist, Junie B. says she will have the best
job of all… a janitor! As the class laughs, the
janitor comes in and talks about what he
does, and he and Junie B. become good
friends.
Junie B. Jones and some Sneaky Peeky Spying
When it comes to Junie B.’s attention
that she has some sneaky, quiet feet, she
decides she should start spying more.
When she decides to spy on her teacher,
Mrs., she thinks Mrs. eats a grape she
had not paid for and the guilt of
knowing led her to telling the principal.
She had misunderstood the situation
with Mrs. causing some embarrassment
on her part when they all talked about
it.
Junie B. Jones and That Meanie Jim’s Birthday
Junie B. and her class had a
birthday party celebration. Later
on the bus, her and Jim are
talking about birthday parties
and she realized his party on
Saturday! But she is the only kid
in the class that is not invited. So,
now avoiding him to stay out of
trouble but that didn't last long
when Jim was handing out
invites. She decided to do
something about and physically
turns his head. Mrs. caught her
and Junie B. was punished.
The Geek Chronicles
Maxie, Rosie, and Earl: Partners in Grime:
They are three students who were sent to
the principal's office for various reasons.
Earl Wilber was not enjoying his time in
class, had little friends, and easily gets
frustrated. While reading in class, he got
embarrassed and decided to never read in
class again. Rosie Swanson was known for
tattling on her classmates, after way too
many tattles, Rosie’s teacher had enough.
Maxie Zuckerman had a temper which he
could no longer control it after being
teased so much by his peers. He was so
frustrated, Maxie took scissors and cut a
hole in Daniel’s shirt. While waiting to
meet with the principal, the three got the
amazing idea to skip school. Through
their adventures together outside of
school, they build an amazing friendship
that would not have occurred before and
they all were happy.
Ma! There’s Nothing to Do Here!
Ever wonder what it would be like to be
inside of the womb again? Being alone in
there, makes the baby wants to play,
make new friends, go on the monkey
bars, boating, and more. However, the
baby must wait but reassures his
family he is quite excited to come out.
Skinny Bones
Alex “Skinny Bones” Franovitch enters a contest
to write why a cat food company should
continue making their food. He enters as a hoax
and writes joke after joke before submitting it.
Alex loves to play baseball but is the second
smallest and worse kid on his baseball
team. He has the biggest major-league mouth
and he realizes he went too far when he brags
himself into a pitching contest with the best
player and biggest bully on his team, T.J. Stoner.
Alex lot the contest and he was embarrassed but
what made matters worse was T.J’s little league
baseball was playing his own team next
weekend. And T.J. invited everyone in class to
come watch! At bat, he bunted and got on first
base...but was declared out because he shouted,
“BOOGA BOOGA, at T.J. to distract him. Alex’s
team lost and T.J. was the hero. The next day at
school was horrible for Alex because everyone
shouted booga booga at him all day long. He
realizes he hears his name on the school
announcements about how he won the contest!
While the game didn't go well, winning the
contest made Alex feel like a hero himself.
Almost Starring Skinny Bones
Twelve year old, Alex “Skinny Bones”
Frankovich, returns but this time he’s in
a commercial all thanks to the Kitty
Fritters Cat Food Company contest he
applied for and won in Skinny Bones.
Once he arrived in New York to become
a star, he expects the fame to arise
immediately. With that confidence
causes him to expect that he can be the
“Scrooge” in the upcoming play at
school. When the role was given to
Albert and he is chosen as “Tiny Tim,”
Alex became very embarrassed and
angry which caused him to act out
during rehearsals. Before the show, Alex
decided to scare Albert by making him
too nervous to perform on stage, ending
in Alex almost having to play as Scrooge.
Alex however felt bad and decided to
convince Albert to go on stage after all.
In the end, he realized he just needed to
accept who he was and be himself.
 Mick Harte was here
This is heart-warming story of a family and their
path of grieving the loss of their 12-year old son
who died in a bike accident. The story is told by his
13-year old sister, Phoebe, who takes readers
through the day of the accident to a month after
the accident. This story reveals the true reality that
those who lose loved ones must face. All 3 of the
family members have different ways of coping
through their pain. But it is clear there is no
"correct" way to grieve. This is a bold topic for a
children book to be about, but readers can walk
away from this book with a lot of learned lessons
and teach kids about the reality of triumph and
death. It is a hard truth that this story brings light
to readers at a young age, but it is a truth that will
benefit kids as they mature and face new struggles.
Teachers can use this story in thier classroom by
assigning this book as a book club book where all
students will have to interact with the text and
reflect on their own lives. It is crucial to note
though with assignment that teachers would not be
looking for right answers as much as they would be
looking for student's ability to take a text and make
connections.