Arrrgghhh, she's reading Junie B. Jones!!!

[LunaMom]

Now I know how parents felt ten years ago about those darn Goosebumps books...

My daughter is an advanced reader, capable of chapter books at the age of six, but has really not done well with any of the chapter books I have helped her choose. We tried Cam Jansen books and some other books, all within her reading level, but she tends to read one chapter, then never pick the book up again.

Well, she got a set of Junie B. Jones books for her birthday this year. She actually received the same books last year and I returned them - I would have had to read them aloud to her a year ago, and I read two or three pages to myself and said no way. Man, I hate that kid (Junie, not my daughter, of course!!!).

So when she opened this gift at her party, it was in front of the kids and she forutnately was gracious and did not say, "Mommy hates these books," and later begged me to keep them. So they've been sitting on her bookshelf. Well, just yesterday she and I discussed the issue with chapter books and that maybe we should hold off on them for now, and BANG, this morning I find her sitting on her bed engrossed in the first Junie B. book. Sigh.

I'm just going to let her read. I'm glad she's reading chapter books by her own choice. Maybe after she reads these we can move on to other less offensive characters who can speak proper English.

I'm a book snob, I admit it. But I'm a teacher and I hate crappy writing.

[Alkenny]

Ohhh! I can relate! DD used to REALLY be into history, and I was so bummed out when she decided she wanted to read some sci-fi books and--GULP--Sweet Valley High! YIKES!

Never fear, I'm jazzed that DS has taken a liking to history now...just a little "off" that most of what he's interested in is WAR history.

Ah well. I'm of the opinion that they're READING, and it could be worse.

[Irishmommy]

I let my dd read them, but I had her point out all the grammar errors, etc. to me as a test, and told her that if she started speaking like in the book, then she was done! It worked.

But reading is reading!!

[SirPentor]

Pardon my ignorance--what is wrong with Junie B. Jones? I've actually not read them, but my daughter did last year (my wife read them too at the time).

[kofduke]

This used to drive my mom crazy - when I was in 6th grade, one week I would read gone with the wind, and the next week sweet valley high. I think you're right that reading is reading - if she realizes through these books she can read chapter books, and is interested in them, it may be for the best.

[yoga]

I think those books are great. I read them to my 6yo and 5yo. They really get a kick out of her!

I don't have a problem with the grammar, as it is age-appropriate.

Now, those Liminy Snickett books...whoever edited those books should be fired.

[LunaMom]

Well, she sat there on her bed for an hour and read thirty-two pages. I'm amazed.

I asked her later if she found the book funny and she said yes. We talked a bit about the way Junie behaves and that it makes for a funny book, but that she's a make-believe character and that real kids who behave that way are not such nice kids. She agreed, and I dropped it.

I am glad she's reading a chapter book, I'll admit it. Maybe these books will "break the ice" and she'll be able to move on to bigger better books!

I was an early reader and have read voraciously my entire life, and my mother never tried to influence what I read. I read my share of fluff, too, and that didn't harm me in any way. Live and learn...sigh...

[MamaBug]

I am so glad that we have boys! :LOL My 6 yr old has no interest in these books eventhough when I made a trip to the library I took some out for him for the heck of it. He said he didn't want to read girl books.

I agree that as long as she knows that the kind of talk in those books is not acceptable at home then you will be fine. I think too that as long as they are reading it is good, I too read alot and want to make sure my sons love it as much as I do, especially considering most boys don't really like reading in the first place.

[alegna]

As a (now former) language arts teacher I used to refer to those kinds of books as potato-chip books. As in- we all like some potato chips now and then, but we don't make up our whole diet out of them. We eat some good food on a regular basis, but an occasional serving of potato chips won't kill anyone I actually loved having a FEW of that type of book in a classroom library- just for the reason you've found. They're great to convince a reluctant reader that they CAN tackle bigger books. And sometimes they go on a stint and want to read them all. Sigh. Depending on the kid (and how big of a deal it was - is this a step up from what they've been reading? or a step down?) I'd either let it slide (eventually they WILL read them all, then they will move on to something else) or encourage them to read something more challenging SOME of the time.

Good luck! I know how infuriating it can be (gosh I hated goosebumps....)

-Angela

[purplemama]

My daughter loves the Junie B. books, and I read one and couldn't stand it. The girl is just such a brat to me, imo. But I let her read them occasionally, even though she is way beyond those books (she's in 5th grade, with a 7th grade reading level). My dh and I agreed that as long as she is reading books that are at her level, she may also read some books for "fun and easy" reading.

I always tried to get my dd into the Little House series, but she could never get into those, even though I loved it as a child. Oh well, I guess you gotta pick your battles...

[LunaMom]

Yes, you do, I'm learning that! I figure good kids can read about not-so-good kids and know that it's meant to be funny and that's it.

And by the way, the Little House books have their own problems (though I love them, too) - very negative portrayals of Native Americans. If your child is old enough, though, it's easy to explain the history and make it into a teachable moment. They are a wonderful series of books otherwise!

[beatgirl]

My son was reading those books a few years ago...and he thought they were hilarious. I was just encouraging him to read. Period. My teenage daughter also went through a Sweet Valley phase along with Goosebumps, but she also read some classics. I was just happy that my son was reading over playing video games or watching tv....

Oh and I dont think that the writing style affects the way the kids learn...my son is in the Talented and Gifted program with reading as his strength and my daughter is a straight 'A' student in high school.

[Baby Rose]

I am in the opinion that certain books just "Set off" reading for children and at the time it doesn't really matter about the "content" moreas just gets them interested in reading. Jesse went from reading "cat can chase the rat" blah to picking up one of Billy's Boxcar Children books and deciding to try it... he has been reading like crazy since and that was when he was six. I guess something just clicked!

[Charles Baudelaire]

Originally Posted by SirPentor

Pardon my ignorance--what is wrong with Junie B. Jones? I've actually not read them, but my daughter did last year (my wife read them too at the time).

Okay, you realize that by asking this, you're getting this:


Thanks for the disclaimer. Here's what I said about them on Amazon.

"I'm going to come right out and say this book series is immoral. Whether parents or teachers like it or not, children pattern what they do after the characters they read about and see, and I cannot imagine anyone benefiting from a child's acting as Junie does. Rude, aggressive, and immature even for five, Junie's behavior is blissfully ignored by the adults around her. When she rudely yells at a teacher for forgetting the all-sacred "B" in her name, neither the teacher nor her mother offers any guidance. Her grammar is terrible, and what's ironic about these Amazon reviews is how terrible the "grammer" [sic] of the Junie advocates tend to be, even as they're insisting that reading books deliberately written from the ignorant and ill-educated point of view of a spoiled little girl does no harm whatsoever. As other posters have mentioned, there are many other books -- Magic Tree House, Ramona, etc. -- which are engaging, interesting, and wonderful without the sickeningly spoiled behavior of this character. Kids like it? So what? Merely because a kid likes it does not mean it's good for him or her any more. The logic is just as flawed as saying, "Because my kid likes sugar, he should be allowed to eat lots of it." The worst part is when teachers like it -- to me, that's as irrational and self-defeating as Christina Aguilera becoming a spokeswoman for chastity, but maybe teachers just want to drum up good business for themselves -- kind've like when the dentist gives you a lollipop on the way out the door. "

[Charles Baudelaire]

Originally Posted by Alkenny

Ah well. I'm of the opinion that they're READING, and it could be worse.

Weeeelll, that's kind've like saying that they're eating and it could be worse.

Eating formula rather than breastmilk?
Eating candy rather than healthy food?
Eating McDonald's rather than tofu?

See what I mean?

[Alkenny]

Originally Posted by Charles Baudelaire

Weeeelll, that's kind've like saying that they're eating and it could be worse.

Eating formula rather than breastmilk?
Eating candy rather than healthy food?
Eating McDonald's rather than tofu?

See what I mean?

I think everyone else was posting along the same lines I was, maybe I just didn't word it right. They might not be reading Shakespeare, but they're not reading Penthouse niether. Does that clear things up? :LOL

Seriously, it might not be the best literature, but as long as you're active in your children's lives and know what they're reading/watching/interacting with then you can still discuss what you don't agree with in that content too.

[MamaBug]

ITA and they can learn something from reading books with not so great characters but all they get for eating bad is poor health and bad teeth!

[beatgirl]

Wow..those are some pretty extreme examples there Charles.....

I wouldnt compare reading these books to giving your kids candy...thats ridiculous!

I also let my kids watch The Simpsons....cause its freakin funny!!!!!!!

They know its not real....its just freakin funny!!!!!

Lighten up man

[Charles Baudelaire]

Originally Posted by beatgirl

Wow..those are some pretty extreme examples there Charles.....

I wouldnt compare reading these books to giving your kids candy...thats ridiculous!

Actually you're right. Candy actually leaves a GOOD taste in my mouth.

I also let my kids watch The Simpsons....cause its freakin funny!!!!!!!

They know its not real....its just freakin funny!!!!!

Lighten up man

There's such a wide gap between JBJ and the Simpsons that it's not even funny. For one, Bart's actions aren't approved of or ignored by his parents -- well, at least not by Marge. There's a great deal of wit and intelligence necessary both to create and to appreciate the show to its fullest -- it's the only show I've ever seen that manages to refer to Carlos Castaneda, Stalag 17, Vertigo, Lord of the Flies, Michael Jackson's nose, Dracula, the time the Beatles performed on top of Apple Records, et cetera, et cetera.

Junie B. Jones be THAT witty? :LOL :LOL :LOL

[dziejen]

While my dd has read the Junie B. books and is now most of the way through the Lemony Snickett series (both of which are not MY first choice) she has also read some classics and what I would consider to be good literature. I am glad that she is enjoying what she is reading and think that it is really her choice. She has never exhibited that behavior though she laughs and thinks it can be funny (there are things I have laughed over as well but wouldn't want my child to do). I am an avid reader and would HATE if anyone ever told me what to read. I tend to mix deep, thoughtful stuff with fluffy paperbacks -- I just can't ready heavy stuff all the time -- and I think that's what my dd does. I guess I am of the opinion that making something like a book "forbidden fruit" makes it more appealing and I have bigger battles to fight.