Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus

Author: Barbara Park

Title: Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus

Illustrator: Denise Brunkus

Genre: Comedy/ Humor, Series, Realistic Fiction, Chapter Book

Subgenre: Elementary School/ Kindergarten, School buses

Theme: Changes and New Experiences, Confronting/ Resolving Fears

Primary and Secondary Characters: Junie B. Jones, Her Mother, Her Kindergarten Teacher Mrs., Schoolmates: Jim, Lucille, Grace,

Awards: Wisconsin Golden Archer Book Award, New Hampshire Great Stone Face Children's Book Award
 

Publishing Company: Random House Publishing

Date of Publication: 1992

Brief Summary and How to Use With Students:

 Junie B. Jones is an outspoken, rambunctious young girl about to enter kindergarten. On her first day of school she hops on the bus where she then faces a series of upsetting events.  The buss reeks of egg salad and black smoke, has noisy brakes, and is filled with pushy boys and girls. She decides she absolutely will never ever ride the stupid smelly bus again. When it’s time to line up to leave school that day Junie B. starts off on her hiding adventure which leads to her humors rescue by the school janitor, principal, police, fire department, and her mother.

            This book is directed towards children ages eight through ten but is also a great read aloud book for children who are younger as well. It has a reading level of second grade and is also an accelerated reader book. This story will keep students interest because it is told from Junie B. Jones perspective and is a story students can relate to. It is a good pick to do as a class read aloud because it is an illustrated chapter book and easy to read. Also, because Junie B. Jones books are a series, there are many other wonderful misadventures of Junie B. students can follow along with.

            For younger grades it is a good book to read because it teaches them  how to resolve their fears and teaches them that school is a fun place to learn. You can take students on a tour of the school as well and have them meet with the school nurse, principal, and bus drivers. For older students you can have them answer questions about some of the things that scared them about going to school? What did they like about school? Did they have friends at school or have to make new ones? How did they make new friends? They can then even give a presentation to the younger grades.