The irrepressible Junie B.--room 9's most boisterous first grader nonpareil--has returned for another adventure, this time around as a hair-netted, plastic-mitted "helper" in the school cafeteria. (Her dad wisely guesses where this one's going: "A helper doesn't make things more difficult, Junie B. A helper makes things easier. Okay?") The 19th installment in this spunky series begins with much ado over the cultural implications of bought and brought lunches and the exciting arrival of a shiny new lunch box. ("Come, Herb! Come, Lennie and José! It's time for you to watch me eat out of my new lunch box!") But events quickly eclipse such trifles, as Junie B. runs into good ol' Mrs. Gutzman again, her "snack lady" from way back in kindergarten. ("That woman was a gem, I tell you.")
You might start feeling like Junie B.'s getting a little too irrepressible in her old age. But then again, maybe you've just had a long day (like Junie B.'s dad, presumably). Whatever the case, Barbara Park still rules the school with her likeable beginning chapter-book series, and you can bet Junie B. will be back for more, even after her lunch box loses its luster. (Ages 4 to 8) --Paul Hughes
From Publishers Weekly
Several popular series and protagonists continue in new titles. The titular heroine joins her favorite cafeteria lady, Mrs. Gutzman, by donning apron, mitts and a hair net, but things go a little haywire behind the lunch counter in Junie B., First Grader: Boss of Lunch by Barbara Park, illus. by Denise Brunkus, the latest installment in the bestselling series. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Grade 1-3-Junie B. is excited because she has a brand-new lunch box. She can't resist sneaking peeks in it during class and is caught by her teacher. The child instigates a discussion about why brought lunches are better than bought lunches and sums it all up by saying, "'Cause brought lunches are made special by our very own mothers!" Later that day at lunch, she sees a cafeteria worker who used to bring milk and cookies to Junie B.'s kindergarten class, and asks why her class doesn't get them this year. The woman explains that first graders get cookies when they buy their lunch. Junie B. convinces Mrs. Gutzman to let her be a helper in the cafeteria where she thinks that she'll be the boss and get to eat as many cookies as she wants. This cleverly written beginning chapter book is as funny as ever and young readers will laugh with the child as she learns that working in a cafeteria isn't just about eating cookies. A few black-and-white drawings in each chapter capture the confident little girl and her many adventures.Kristin de Lacoste, South Regional Public Library, Pembroke Pines, FL Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Gr. 2-3. Lunchroom trials and tribulations take center stage in the latest Junie B. Jones story. The agony of not being able to explore a new lunchbox during class is followed by the ecstasy of finally getting to the lunchroom. That's followed by the agony of discovering that all her classmates are getting a hot lunch because yummy hoagies are on the menu. Junie B. is still sassy, hilarious, and insightful in an authentically childlike way, and Park obviously understands the passions and fears of first-graders. Her depiction of school dynamics is right on target, even as she keeps the reading level down to an easy chapter-book level. Susan Dove Lempke
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Junie B., First Grader: Boss of Lunch (Junie B. Jones Series #19) FROM OUR EDITORS
The Barnes & Noble Review
Who'd ever want to be a lunch lady? Junie B. Jones, that's who! In Barbara Park's chapter book starring that spunky first-grader, a hairnet-wearing, apron-sporting Junie B. is helping take care of the cafeteria and serving up lots of laughs.
When Junie B. hears that bought lunches are better than brought lunches, she's not thrilled to be carrying her new lunch box. But her dismay turns to elation when she learns that Mrs. Gutzman, her favorite kindergarten snack bringer, is a worker in the school's cafeteria. Junie quickly finds herself recruited for kitchen duty, and she gears herself up for the new responsibilities and uniform. Yet when her classmates jab her about not being a legit lunch worker, she ends up creating a scene that kills their appetites and gets her job revoked. After a little time on the class "stinkle" list, Junie finally gets to be Boss of Cookies when Mrs. Gutzman asks her to help pass out some sugary snacks.
Barbara Park's Junie B. Jones is as clever and feisty as ever. A great read for any kid wanting to find out what's behind the lunchroom door, Boss of Lunch will have everyone giggling out loud and nodding their head at Junie B.'s exuberance and embarrassment. Adults will also appreciate this series because it encourages the younger set to read longer chapter books on their own. Junie B. Jones knows how to dish out the fun! (Matt Warner)
ANNOTATION
Junie, an outspoken, sometimes exasperating, first grader is thrilled when she is told she can help out in the school cafeteria.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
A Junie B. Jones Book, #19
Something very wonderful is happening to Junie B. Jones. And it’s called—hurray, hurray!—she’s getting to be a professional lunch lady! And that means hanging out with Mrs. Gutzman in the cafeteria. And standing behind the counter. And even wearing a real actual hair net! Who knows? Pretty soon she could be the boss of the whole entire lunch operation!
FROM THE CRITICS
Publishers Weekly
Several popular series and protagonists continue in new titles. The titular heroine joins her favorite cafeteria lady, Mrs. Gutzman, by donning apron, mitts and a hair net, but things go a little haywire behind the lunch counter in Junie B., First Grader: Boss of Lunch by Barbara Park, illus. by Denise Brunkus, the latest installment in the bestselling series. (May) Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.
Children's Literature - Susan Hepler
In the nineteenth entry in the "Junie B. Jones" series, Junie has moved on to first grade and is keeping a journal. Several entries are included in the text, along with a blue ribbon bookmark. Junie loves her new lunchbox and can't keep from opening it, which occasions a class argument about which is better, "bought" or "brought" lunch. When Junie discovers that a beloved aide from kindergarten is now working in the cafeteria, she is able, somewhat improbably but never mind, to help out behind the counter. She gets her own hairnet, plastic "mitts," and a chance to lord it over her classmates, which she does, calling the lunch of the day "tuna noodle stinkle." That makes her lose her job. Fans of the irrepressible and precocious six-year-old will lap up this morsel, but it, like a cheese doodle, lacks much substance or nutritional value. 2002, Random House,
School Library Journal
Gr 1-3-Junie B. is excited because she has a brand-new lunch box. She can't resist sneaking peeks in it during class and is caught by her teacher. The child instigates a discussion about why brought lunches are better than bought lunches and sums it all up by saying, "'Cause brought lunches are made special by our very own mothers!" Later that day at lunch, she sees a cafeteria worker who used to bring milk and cookies to Junie B.'s kindergarten class, and asks why her class doesn't get them this year. The woman explains that first graders get cookies when they buy their lunch. Junie B. convinces Mrs. Gutzman to let her be a helper in the cafeteria where she thinks that she'll be the boss and get to eat as many cookies as she wants. This cleverly written beginning chapter book is as funny as ever and young readers will laugh with the child as she learns that working in a cafeteria isn't just about eating cookies. A few black-and-white drawings in each chapter capture the confident little girl and her many adventures.-Kristin de Lacoste, South Regional Public Library, Pembroke Pines, FL Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.
Kirkus Reviews
Junie is adjusting to the new world of first grade, where she is learning to follow rules and settle down-at least a little bit. She has a new lunchbox and she just cannot keep her hands off of it. Mr. Scary, her teacher, has exhorted her to leave it alone until lunchtime, even if she is extolling the virtues of a homemade lunch. "'Cause brought lunches are made special by our very own mothers!" May, the prissy, perfect girl who loves to annoy Junie is more than happy to tattle on her or to point out the virtues of the cafeteria lunch. "All school lunches have to be delicious and nutritious. It's a rule." Junie is left with her sandwich while the children all choose a cafeteria hoagie. Well, rules are made to be broken and no one can break them quite like Junie B. She ends up as a lunch helper, fancying herself as being in charge of the kitchen, despite her mother's gentle admonition: "A helper is not the boss." Though she loves her job as the napkin arranger and sink sponger, she is cut down to size when she is asked to greet the older kids. Park's particular gift is her ability to have Junie, the narrator, add interesting vocabulary and phrases to her speech. She really seems older than the Junie in the kindergarten books, more real, and more sympathetic. Who couldn't relate to the little girl who wants to help but somehow manages to call the lunch "Tuna Noodle Stinkle" and compounds the mistake by screeching it at the top of her lungs? Hooray for Junie and hooray for the grown-ups in her life who accept her, loud mouth and all.
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