The Junie B. Jones Series is popular among beginning readers. All children know a child like Junie B: snotty, busy, loud mouth, brat, are just a few of the adjectives I could come up with when describing Junie B. Jones. I read Junie B. Jones and the Yucky Blucky Fruitcake. The setting takes place at Junie B's school. In the beginning of the story, we find out the type of child she is: someone who is always competing, she turns everything into a competition, and then cries about it when she loses. And as this story progresses, we learn more about Junie B. and how she prepares for winning all the games at the upcomming school carnival. But as the story progresses, it becomes almost predictably funny. Junie B knows if she practices the games, like the Putting Green or the clothes pins in a bottle, she is sure to win. But, one thing Junie B. doens't think about is what expectations would be: she practices golfing with a grapefruit, and dropping clothes pins into a bucket, rather than a small bottle. So, all her practicing is for naught - and Junie B, doesn't like to lose.
The climax of the story is when Junie wins at the cake booth; finally she wins!! She picks a fruit cake despite her mother saying no. After dropping it on the floor, dragging it throughout the school, sitting on it, and learning that it really tastes horrible, it's still her prize possession. She puts it up on her shelf in her room and admires it.
This series is alive and strong with young readers. Probably because they can relate to Junie B. The use of vocabulary is on target with the age of it's readers, and the dialogue that Junie B. is so famous for, flows throughout the story. I also think children can related to Junie's parents reaction at some of the situations Junie B. puts herself into.
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