Junie B Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus
#1 of 28 in Junie B. Jones Series
What’s inside...
Junie B. Jones is faced with riding the bus on her first day of school. Instead of going home on the school bus, she decides to keep hiding in the school so she doesn't have to take the stupid smelly bus. Barbara Park’s bestselling chapter book series has been keeping kids laughing and reading for over twenty-five years, with over 65 million copies sold. Remember when it was scary to go to school? In the first Junie B. Jones book, it’s Junie B.’s first day and she doesn’t know anything. She’s so scared of the school bus and the meanies on it that when it’s time to go home, she doesn’t. Junie B. is hailed as the darling of the young-reader set, making reading fun and delightful with her unique take on the world.
Character compass
Junie B. Jones
Junie B. Jones'S Mother
Mrs.
Discussion points
How did Junie B. Jones feel on her first day of school and why do you think she felt that way?
What are some ways Junie B. could have dealt with her feelings about the bus?
Can you think of a time when you were nervous about something new? How did you handle it?
Why is it important to follow school rules like Junie B. learns to?
How did Junie B.'s perspective about school change from the beginning to the end of the book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use open-ended questions to encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about Junie B. Jones' experiences.
Relate the story to your child’s personal experiences, especially if they’re about to start or have just started school.
Discuss the importance of following rules and how they help us in different environments like school.
Encourage your child to think about how characters might feel in different situations and how they would react in similar circumstances.
Wrap up your discussion by asking your child what they learned from Junie B. Jones and how they might apply these lessons in their own life.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Coping with change
Explanation: Junie B. navigates her first day of school and faces the challenges of riding the school bus.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by learning to adapt to new environments such as starting school or moving to a new place.
Example Lesson: Expressing emotions
Explanation: Junie B. openly expresses her fears and frustrations about her experiences, allowing for discussions about feelings.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to express their own emotions and fears openly and constructively in their interactions.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving
Explanation: When confronted with a problem, Junie B. explores various solutions to avoid riding the bus.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of thinking creatively to solve problems and the value of perseverance.
Example Lesson: Developing empathy
Explanation: Readers see the world from Junie B.'s perspective, gaining an understanding of her feelings and actions.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to understand and share the feelings of their peers, enhancing social interactions and emotional intelligence.
Example Lesson: Consequences of actions
Explanation: Junie B. experiences the outcomes of her decisions, particularly when her choices impact her relationship with the school bus and her peers.
Real-World Application: Children can understand that their actions have impacts and learn to anticipate and accept the outcomes of their decisions.