Junie B. Jones Is a Beauty Shop Guy

December 1, 1998
K-Gr 2-This exuberant kindergartner's newest adventure begins with a visit to the local beauty shop. Fascinated with sitting in the "spinny" chair and helping the beautician give her dad a haircut, Junie decides that her hopes and dreams are wrapped up in scissors, smelly hair gel, and fluffy towels. When her father warns her that it takes years of hard work to learn how to cut hair, the girl takes his advice and starts practicing...on her bunny slippers, on the dog, and eventually on herself. When she goes to school wearing three hats to cover her unfortunate "sprigs," only her teacher and a session with the real beautician can save her. Parks does an excellent job of keeping her adult characters real, in charge, yet not overbearing. Junie's teacher's sympathy and understanding are heartwarming, and her dad's exasperation is completely believable. Junie is always the focus and the one who solves the dilemma, this time by confessing to her teacher and admitting that she might need some help. Brunkus's illustrations complete the child's exploits. The honesty and inventiveness of this savvy kindergartner make the Junie B. books accessible and completely enjoyable.-Linda Bindner, formerly at Athens Clarke County Library, GA

November 15, 1998
Gr. 2-3. Despite her announcement in chapter one that she now answers only to the name Pinkie Gladys Gutzman, readers will be reassured to know that the narrator here is the same old Junie B. Jones, as fresh, funny, and spontaneous as ever. After accompanying her father to a beauty shop to have his hair cut, Junie decides that she has found her calling and should start practicing right away. When her stuffed elephant's hair proves too short to cut, she snips away at her bunny slippers, then the dog's fur, and finally her own hair. Readers will find plenty to laugh about as Junie tries to cover up the evidence, with limited success. Illustrated with line drawings, this short chapter book will amuse the many fans of the refreshing series. ((Reviewed November 15, 1998))(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 1998, American Library Association.)