Junie B. Jones Deluxe Holiday Edition: Jingle Bells, Batman Smells!



Last updated Monday, January 25, 2021

Author: Barbara Park
Illustrator: Denise Brunkus
Date of Publication: 2019
ISBN: 198489269X
Grade Level: 4th    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Dec. 2020

Synopsis: It's holiday time, and Room One is doing lots of fun things to celebrate. Like making elf costumes! And singing joyful songs! Only, how can Junie B. enjoy the festivities when Tattletale May keeps ruining her holiday glee? And here is the worst part. When everyone picks names for Secret Santa, Junie B. gets Tattletale you-know-who! It's enough to fizzle the holiday fun! Unless... is a Secret Santa gift Junie B.'s chance to give May exactly what she deserves? Or will Junie B. and May find their holiday spirit and finally bring peace and goodwill to Room One?

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  THIS IS THE 25TH BOOK IN THE JUNIE B. JONES SERIES
•  What kind of things can you write about in a journal?
•  What kind of holiday performances have you participated in at school? Will your class have a virtual show this year?
•  Who has done a Secret Santa gift exchange? What do you like about it? What could go wrong?
•  What makes someone a good gift giver and receiver? Is it possible to be a bad gift giver?

Vocabulary

•  blabbermouth: one who reveals confidential information
•  invasion of privacy: intrusion into another person’s personal life without permission
•  rehearsal: practice for a play, concert, or other performance
•  public property: something owned by a city, town, or state
•  humor: a quality that makes people laugh or feel amused

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  Why do Junie B. Jones and May not get along?
•  How does Junie feel when she gets May as her Secret Santa?
•  Mr. Scary tells May that she will feel so proud inside if she does something nice for May. What does he mean by that? What do you think about his advice?
•  What does Junie decide to do with her $10 at the Holiday Gift Shop? What do you think about her idea? What would you have done?
•  At first, Junie was going to use Secret Santa to teach May a lesson. What made her change her mind? What do you think May would have done if Junie had gone ahead with her original plan?

Craft ideas:
•  Junie and all the students in Room One have candy cane garlands on their desk. Here are some paper crafts
•  http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YSZWKFHLmkE/TvER9_xHLPI/AAAAAAAAFNw/2R7gTx0YBJQ/s1600/DSC_3319.JPG
•  https://fountainavenuekitchen.com/holiday-crafts/
•  https://modpodgerocksblog.com/paper-kids-advent-calendar/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=pinterest&utm_campaign=tailwind_tribes&utm_content=tribes&utm_term=506264336
•  Check our craft ideas on Pinterest! https://www.pinterest.com/readingtokids/december-2020-family-the-spirit-of-giving/

Special activities:
•  Fans of this series can go to this site to hear songs and read the synopsis from Junie B. Jones, The Musical.
•  https://www.mtishows.com/junie-b-jones-the-musical
•  Filichia Features: Now You Can Listen to Junie B. Jones

*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions. You can use them, but you don't have to use them. You can expand upon them, or add your own twist. Remember, though, that the focus of your time should not be on the development and execution of a craft; the focus should be on the read-aloud and the enjoyment of the book!