Someone in 6B is a witch. And, in the alternate reality described in Diana Wynne Jones's Witch Week, that's not at all a good thing to be. Jones plunks her readers directly into the life of Larwood House, a school in a present-day England that's a lot like the world we know, except for one major difference: witches are everywhere, and they are ruthlessly hunted by inquisitors.
Gr. 1-2, younger for reading aloud. Junie B. Jones falls in love with the new boy in her kindergarten class in the latest First Stepping Stone Book about the eager pre-schooler and her friends. As with Lois Lowry's See You Around, Sam (1996), older kids will laugh at Junie's klutzy innocence, even as they recognize their own vulnerability in the classroom and the school yard. Brunkus' line drawings pick up the farce of Junie's desperate efforts in the world of romance and rivalry.
Junie B. Jones and all of Room 9 are getting ready to graduate from kindergarten! Their teacher--known to our heroine as "Mrs."--distributes their fresh white caps and gowns ("Cats and gowns, cats and gowns!" Junie hollers), and makes her students promise to keep them in their boxes until the big day. But Junie B., being Junie B., is sure that just one peek on the way home won't soil her gown. And then she must show off to her stuffed animals with a lot of whirling and skipping, which of course makes her thirsty. But guess what? "Grape juice can go wrong."
Kindergarten is just about to let out for the summer, and room 9 is going on a field trip to a farm. All the children squeal with joy--all but Junie B. Jones. 'Cause guess what? Farms are not my favorites.
It's pooey on B-A-B-I-E-S until Junie B. finds out that her new dumb old baby brother is a big fat deal. Her two bestest friends are giving her everything they own just to see him. And guess what else? Maybe she can bring him to school on Pet Day.
