Junie B. Jones, Cheater Pants
(Junie B. Jones #21)

Gr 1-4-In her fourth "First Grader" book, Junie B. grapples with the ethical issue of cheating and learns how to work collaboratively. She gets caught after she copies a homework assignment. Later, she and another student confess to cheating on a spelling test. Between these two episodes, Junie B. and three classmates have a great experience writing a cinquain poem on friendship. The story wraps up nicely with the protagonist getting support from her parents and a cinquain composed by her teacher, commending her on her honesty. This beginning chapter book is written in first-person narrative with occasional journal entries. Dollops of humor keep the plot from being heavy-handed. The adults and children are believably portrayed, and the comical drawings match the tone of the story.-Marilyn Ackerman, Brooklyn Public Library, NY Copyright 2003 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.