J.D. and the Great Barber Battle
#1 in J.D. the Kid Barber Series
What’s inside...
Eight-year-old J.D. turns a tragic home haircut into a thriving barber business in this hilarious new illustrated chapter book series
J.D. has a big problem--it's the night before the start of third grade and his mom has just given him his first and worst home haircut. When the steady stream of insults from the entire student body of Douglass Elementary becomes too much for J.D., he takes matters into his own hands and discovers that, unlike his mom, he's a genius with the clippers. His work makes him the talk of the town and brings him enough hair business to open a barbershop from his bedroom. But when Henry Jr., the owner of the only official local barbershop, realizes he's losing clients to J.D., he tries to shut him down for good. How do you find out who's the best barber in all of Meridian, Mississippi? With a GREAT BARBER BATTLE!
From the hilarious and creative mind of J. Dillard, an entrepreneur, public speaker, and personal barber, comes a new chapter book series with characters that are easy to fall for and nearly impossible to forget. Akeem S. Roberts' lively illustrations make this series a must-buy for reluctant readers.
2021 New York Public Library Best Books
2021 Chicago Public Library Best Books
2021 School Library Journal Best Books
2022-2023 Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List
2022 NCTE Charlotte Huck Award Honor
Why read this book
- Celebrates entrepreneurship and initiative in young minds.
- Encourages creativity and resilience through engaging narrative.
- Highlights importance of community and support.
- Boosts confidence with relatable young protagonist.
Character compass
J.d.
Justin
Vanessa
Mama
Mr. Henry
Discussion points
What did J.D. learn from his experience of starting a barber business and how did it change him?
How did J.D. handle competition and challenges, and what can we learn from his approach?
Why do you think community and friendship are important themes in the story?
What challenges did J.D. face and how did he overcome them? Can you think of a time you faced a challenge and how you dealt with it?
If you were J.D., what would you have done differently in setting up your business?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start the conversation by sharing your own related experiences in facing challenges or starting something new. This allows your child to feel more comfortable and relatable to the topic. Encourage your child to think creatively by asking what they would have done if they were in J.D.’s shoes. Highlight the importance of perseverance, creativity, and friendship as shown through J.D.’s journey. Ask open-ended questions to foster critical thinking and deeper understanding of the story’s themes.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Entrepreneurship and initiative
Explanation: J.D., the protagonist, takes the initiative to start his own barber business after inadvertently ruining his little sister’s hair. He turns this mistake into a learning and business opportunity.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to be innovative and proactive in solving problems, showing them that mistakes can lead to new paths and opportunities.
Example Lesson: Responsibility and perseverance
Explanation: Throughout the story, J.D. faces several challenges in running his barber shop but remains committed and responsible, working hard to improve his skills and grow his business.
Real-World Application: Teaches children the importance of staying dedicated and responsible, even when faced with obstacles. It highlights the rewards of perseverance in achieving goals.
Example Lesson: Importance of community support
Explanation: J.D.'s community including family and neighbors play a significant role in the success of his business by offering support and encouragement, and by being his first customers.
Real-World Application: Emphasizes to children how valuable community support is and the benefits of contributing positively to their own communities.
Example Lesson: Creative problem-solving
Explanation: When faced with the challenge of not having professional barber equipment, J.D. creatively uses what he has available to provide haircuts.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to be resourceful and innovative in finding solutions with limited resources, fostering creativity and flexibility in thinking.
Example Lesson: Financial literacy
Explanation: As J.D. operates his barber business, he learns basic financial skills such as budgeting and managing money.
Real-World Application: Introduces children to the concepts of earning, saving, and spending money responsibly, which are vital skills for personal finance management.