Junie B. Jones Collection, Books 13-16

In her Junie B. Jones chapter books for younger readers, Barbara Park captures the essence of kindergarten vitality and na•veté. Junie B. bounces through each episode, whether being initiated into the traditions of a school Valentine celebration or finding out that being captain of a team does not necessarily equate with being the boss. Barbara Park's word choice and sentence structure are those of a young child--"fusstrated," "bestest friend," "winded up to throw the ball," or "doing squinty eyes" when displeased, for example. Lana Quintal takes on the speech of a 5- or 6-year-old readily. Her voice is light, playful, and has the speed and cadence of a child perspective and an adult, an often exasperated one. Students will listen eagerly and empathetically to Junie B.'s adventures. Adults will find themselves, as Junie B.'s father did, suppressing laughter. A.R. (c) AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine