Junie B Jones Smells Something Fishy
#12 of 28 in Junie B. Jones Series
What’s inside...
In 'Junie B. Jones Smells Something Fishy', Junie B., a first grader, faces a challenge at her school when her room is the only one without a pet for Pet Day. She goes on a quest to find the perfect pet.
Why read this book
- Humorous events, sparking joy and amusement.
- Highlights real-life scenarios, enhancing child relatability.
- Encourages resilience and determination through story progression.
- Strengthens literacy with engaging dialogue and descriptions.
The Big Picture
- Teaches responsibility through engaging narrative.
- Encourages problem-solving with humor and wit.
- Instills bravery in facing daunting challenges.
- Promotes discussions on overcoming fears.
What parents love
- Relatable for kids, hilarious and educational.
- Teaches problem-solving in a light, humorous way.
- Encourages empathy and understanding of diverse feelings.
- Perfect for young readers, both fun and thoughtful.
Diversity & Representation
- Showcases female protagonist in funny, relatable real-life scenarios.
- Encourages appreciation of diverse personalities and problem-solving methods.
- Highlights various socio-economic backgrounds through school friends.
Discussion points
How did Junie B. feel when she had to come up with a pet for Pet Day, and how would you feel in her place?
Why do you think Junie B. chose the fish she did? What would you have chosen and why?
What does this story teach us about handling disappointment and making the best out of a tough situation?
In what ways did Junie B. show creativity and problem-solving throughout the book?
How can we learn to appreciate and care for all kinds of pets, even if they aren't typical?
Tip: Role play these questions
While discussing the book, relate personal stories of your own experiences with pets or school events to deepen the connection with your child.
Encourage your child to imagine alternative endings for the book or different choices Junie B. could have made, thereby enhancing their creative thinking.
Ask your child to draw their ideal pet and describe how they would take care of it, linking back to the book's themes of responsibility and care.
Utilize this opportunity to discuss the value of empathy by talking about how Junie B. and her classmates might have felt during different parts of the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: Junie B. Jones learns the importance of responsibility when she has to take care of her class pet.
Real-World Application: Children can understand the significance of being responsible for tasks such as feeding pets, cleaning up, or doing homework.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: Throughout the book, Junie B. encounters various challenges and learns to think critically to solve them.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to approach problems in their daily life calmly and with a problem-solving mindset.
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: Junie B. learns to understand and share the feelings of another classmate who also wants to take care of the pet.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to consider others' feelings and perspectives, promoting a more inclusive and understanding environment.
Example Lesson: Dealing with Disappointment
Explanation: Junie B. faces disappointment in the story, which teaches her to cope and manage her emotions.
Real-World Application: This lesson is vital as it helps children understand that it's okay to feel sad or disappointed and how to recover from those feelings positively.