Junie B. Jones Is a Party Animal by Barbara Park

I like this chapter book because even though it belongs to a chapter book series, each chapter book provides its own story. Readers do not need to read this chapter book series in chronologic order. Junie B. Jones is a spunky, spying, loud, speaks her mind type of six year old. Junie has two best friends, Grace and Lucille. Junie B. Jones Is a Party Animal is about how Junie spends the night at one of her friend’s rich grandmother’s house. This adventure began one day while Junie and Grace are riding on the school bus. After they see Lucille and her rich grandma in the school parking lot, Junie invites herself over for a sleepover at Lucille’s grandmother’s house. When Junie arrives at Lucille’s grandmother’s house she states it looks like a castle. There, her and her friends play dress up, sing, dance and have tons of fun. At one point in the night, the activities take a turn for the worse. Junie is somewhat clumsy and ends up breaking the grandmother’s glasses, spilling chocolate ice cream on an expensive couch and much more. After the sleepover is done, Junie realizes that no amount of money could compensate for the amount of love she receives from her own grandmother. Park uses language and describes behavior that a typical six year old would. The author cleverly and creatively uses slang language and humor to bring her characters alive. Although this book’s main character is a six year old, Junie captures a wide range of readers. Upper elementary readers will be engaged by the use of humor. Reading this book reminded me of sleepover memories I have when I was younger. Weather sleepovers take place in a castle like house, in a tent in the backyard or on the couch in your own living room; they produce sleepless nights full of laughter.