TL;DR: Junie B. Jones is the ultimate "love her or hate her" character of the early reader world. She’s funny, relatable, and gets kids excited about chapter books, but she also has a mouth on her—using words like "stupid" and "dumb" while absolutely wrecking the English language with "bestest" and "runned." If you’re okay with a little sass in exchange for a kid who actually wants to read, she’s a win. If you’re trying to keep your house a "no-stupid-word" zone, proceed with caution.
Quick Recommendations for Early Readers:
- If you want the humor without the sass: Mercy Watson
- If you want a strong girl lead who is a bit more polite: The Princess in Black
- If they finish Junie B. and want more "edge": Diary of a Wimpy Kid
- Check out our guide to the best first chapter books
If you haven't hit the "early chapter book" phase yet, let me introduce you to the chaotic neutral of the elementary school library. Written by Barbara Park, the Junie B. Jones series follows a girl from her first day of kindergarten through first grade.
There are nearly 30 books in the series, and they’ve been around since the 90s. They are the definition of a "gateway drug" for reading. For many kids, this is the first time they realize that books can actually be funny—not just "educational" or "sweet," but laugh-out-loud, "I can’t believe she just said that" funny.
Kids love Junie B. for the same reason they love watching MrBeast or playing Roblox: she represents the unfiltered internal monologue of a child.
She isn't a "perfect" protagonist. She gets jealous, she gets angry, she hides under the teacher’s desk, and she calls her classmates "meanie Jim" or "nutball." To a six-year-old who is constantly being told to "use your manners" and "sit still," Junie B. is a breath of fresh air. She feels real. She’s essentially the original "main character energy" girl before TikTok was even a thing.
Let’s get into the weeds, because if you mention Junie B. at a PTA meeting, someone is going to have feelings. Parents generally fall into two camps here.
1. The Grammar Debate
Junie B. speaks in "kid-voice." She says things like, "I have the bestest idea!" or "I runned all the way home."
Some parents (and teachers) loathe this. They worry that kids who are just learning to read and write will internalize these errors. We’re out here paying for Tutoring apps and IXL memberships to get their grammar on point, and then Barbara Park comes in with "I gots a secret."
The Screenwise Take: Most kids are smart enough to realize Junie B. talks like a "little kid." It’s actually a great opportunity to ask, "Wait, is 'bestest' a real word? How would we say that?" It turns reading into an active exercise rather than a passive one.
2. The "Stupid" Word Debate
In the world of Junie B., "stupid" and "dumb" are her go-to adjectives. For some families, "stupid" is the "S-word"—it’s banned, it’s a "hurtful word," and it’s a one-way ticket to a time-out.
Junie B. also has a bit of an attitude. She talks back to her parents and teachers. She isn't "mean" in a malicious way, but she’s definitely "sassy." If your kid is already prone to "Ohio" levels of weirdness or is starting to pick up "brain rot" slang from YouTube Shorts, you might feel like Junie B. is just adding fuel to the fire.
Ask our chatbot for tips on managing "sassy" behavior influenced by media
Recommended Ages: 5-8 (Kindergarten to 2nd Grade)
- Ages 5-6: These are great for read-alouds. You can edit the "stupid" words on the fly if you want, or use them to talk about why we don't use those words at school.
- Ages 7-8: This is the sweet spot for independent reading. The font is big, the sentences are short, and the humor keeps them turning the page.
If your kid is in 3rd grade or above, they might find Junie B. a little "babyish," and they’ll likely move on to things like The Bad Guys or Wings of Fire.
If you’re on the fence, here is the "no-BS" breakdown of what you're getting into:
- It’s not "Brain Rot": Unlike some high-stim YouTube content, Junie B. actually requires focus and imagination. Even if the grammar is bad, the narrative structure is solid.
- It’s a Phase: Just like the Bluey phase or the Minecraft obsession, kids usually fly through these books and move on within a year.
- Social Context: Around 40-50% of kids in 1st grade will encounter these books either in their classroom library or through friends. It’s a major cultural touchstone for that age group.
How to Talk About It
If you decide to let your kid dive in, have a quick "meta" conversation: "Hey, Junie B. is really funny, but she says some things that we don't say in this house. She calls people 'dumb,' but we know that's not kind. Can we laugh at the book but keep our kind words at school?"
If you’ve read one Junie B. book and decided it’s absolutely not for you, don’t worry. There are plenty of other options that fill that "first chapter book" niche without the attitude.
The "Polite" Alternatives
- Mercy Watson by Kate DiCamillo: This is the gold standard. It’s about a pig who loves hot buttered toast. It’s funny, the illustrations are gorgeous, and the grammar is impeccable.
- Frog and Toad are Friends: Classic, gentle, and actually teaches great lessons about friendship.
- The Princess in Black: For kids who want an "action" hero who is still a "good kid."
The "If They Like the Sass" Path
- Ivy + Bean: Similar vibe to Junie B. but a bit more focused on the friendship between two very different girls.
- The Bad Guys: If your kid likes "edgy" humor and characters who are trying (and often failing) to be good.
- Dog Man: If they like the chaos but prefer a graphic novel format.
Junie B. Jones isn't Shakespeare, and she isn't trying to be. She’s a 6-year-old with a big personality and a limited vocabulary.
Is she a "bad influence?" Only if you let her be. If you use the books as a way to bond with your kid and talk about behavior, they’re a fantastic tool. If you’re looking for a book to teach your child how to speak "proper" English, this is not the one.
But at the end of the day, a kid who is laughing while reading is a kid who is developing a love for books. In a world of TikTok and Skibidi Toilet, a "sassy" chapter book is a win in my book.
- Try a "Read-Aloud": Grab Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus and read it with your kid. See how they react to the "stupid" words.
- Check the School Library: Ask your child if their friends are reading Junie B. It’s a great way to gauge the "community norm" at your specific school.
- Explore more options: Check out our curated list of books for 6-year-olds.
Ask our chatbot for a personalized book list based on your child's interests