Synopses & Reviews
BARBARA PARK is best known as the author of the wildly popular
New York Times bestselling Junie B. Jones series, which has kept kids (and their grown-ups) laughing—and reading—for over two decades. Beloved by millions, the Junie B. Jones books have been translated into multiple languages and are a time-honored staple in elementary school classrooms around the world. Every bit as funny as her best-known character, Barbara once said, “There are those who believe that the value of a children’s book can be measured only in terms of the moral lessons it tries to impose or the perfect role models it offers. Personally, I happen to think that a book is of extraordinary value if it gives the reader nothing more than a smile or two. In fact, I happen to think that’s huge.”
Barbara Park is also the author of award-winning middle grade novels and bestselling picture books, including Skinnybones, Mick Harte Was Here, and The Kid in the Red Jacket.
Barbara Park was born in New Jersey in 1947 and spent most of her adult life in Arizona, where she and her husband, Richard, raised two sons. Barbara died in 2013, but her legacy lives on in the laughter her books give to readers all over the world.
Synopsis
"Ten-year-old Howard Jeeter's life is temporarily destroyed by a cross-country move. His first contact in Massachusetts is Molly, an intrusive first-grader, whose attempts to be friendly drive Howard to distraction. Park writes in a witty and bittersweet style about the awkward, super-sensitive age of early adolescence; her humor reflects and sharpens the sensibilities of her readers in the areas of family and friend relationships. Another first-rate addition to the middle-grade popular reading shelf."--(starred) School Library Journal. Reading level: 4.5.
Synopsis
If you thought Junie B. Jones was FUNNY catch more laughs from New York Times bestselling author Barbara Park with her hilarious middle-grade novels just right for fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid and I Funny
Can Howard SURVIVE life without friends?
Howard Jeeter s parents have ruined his life. They ve moved him across the country, and all the kids in his new town act like he s totally invisible. At least, all of them except for his six-year-old neighbor, Molly Vera Thompson. Howard could use a friend. But a little girl who talks nonstop? Not what he had in mind. Still, when you re really lonely, you ll be friends with anyone right?
An IRA-CBC Children s Choice
A Library of Congress Children s Book of the Year
A Parents Choice Gold Award Winner
* Park writes in a witty and bittersweet style about the awkward, supersensitive age of early adolescence. Another first-rate addition to the middle-grade popular reading shelf. School Library Journal, Starred
A] witty middle-grade novel. Publishers Weekly"
About the Author
Barbara Park is one of today's funniest and best-loved writers for middle graders. Her novels, which include Dear God, HELP!!! Love Earl; Skinnybones; The Kid in the Red Jacket; and Mick Harte Was Herehave won numerous children's book awards.
Barbara thinks that the wonderful thing about writing humor is that she is able to deal with serious issues in a more lighthearted way.
Barbara's fans always want to know whether or not her characters are based on her own children (she has two sons) -- in fact, they are not. But having her sons has made it easier for her to know how kids talk and think.
What matters most to Barbara is that her books are bringing a few smiles to her readers.
Barbara lives in Paradise Valley, Arizona, with her husband, Richard. She holds a B.S. from the University of Alabama.