Boss of Lunch (Junie B. Jones Series #19)

by Barbara Park, Denise Brunkus (Illustrator)

Overview

Junie's getting to be a professional lunch lady. That means she gets to hang out with Mrs. Gutzman in the cafeteria, standing behind the counter, and even wearing an actual hair net. This paperback edition includes a Junie B. standee. Illustrations. Consumable.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780756914479
Publisher:	Perfection Learning Corporation
Publication date:	01/01/2003
Series:	Junie B. Jones Series
Pages:	77
Sales rank:	1,070,019
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 7.70(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	6 - 8 Years

About the Author

BARBARA PARK (1947–2013) is beloved by millions as the author of the wildly popular Junie B. Jones series. She is also the author of award-winning middle-grade novels and picture books, including Skinnybones and Mick Harte Was Here. We are thankful for the laughter she’s given us and to millions of children.

Hometown:

Scottsdale, Arizona

Date of Birth:

April 21, 1947

Place of Birth:

Mt. Holly, New Jersey

Education:

B.S., University of Alabama, 1969

Website:

http://www.randomhouse.com/kids/junieb

Editorial Reviews

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)

bn.com

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.

Publishers Weekly

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.

School Library Journal

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.

Kirkus Reviews

From USA TODAY:
"Junie B. is the darling of the young-reader set."

From Publisher' Weekly:
"Park convinces beginning readers that Junie B.—and reading—are lots of fun."

From Kirkus Reviews:
"Junie's swarms of young fans will continue to delight in her unique take on the world....A hilarious, first-rate read- aloud."

From Booklist:
"Park, one of the funniest writers around . . . brings her refreshing humor to the beginning chapter-book set."

From Time magazine:
"Junie B. Jones is a feisty six-year-old with an endearing penchant for honesty."

From School Library Journal:
"Readers will relate instantly to the trials and tribulations of this first grader....She is always endearing and wonderfully funny."

From the Publisher