It’s always a joy to see a childhood classic reimagined for a new generation, and this graphic novel adaptation of Junie B. Jones and a Little Monkey Business does just that. The story, already brimming with Junie B’s signature humor and mischief, takes on new life through expressive, colorful illustrations that capture her larger-than-life personality. The graphic format makes the story feel fresh while staying true to the original charm of Barbara Park’s beloved series. For young readers—especially those just starting to discover Junie B.—this format offers an inviting entry point, balancing accessible text with dynamic visuals that practically leap off the page.

Emma’s Review (age 8): “It was really funny! I liked the part when you find out about the monkey the best.”

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Children’s Book for the eARC in exchange for our honest, unbiased review.

A childhood classic revamped for a new generation! The graphics are amazing- eye catching and easy to follow while still keeping the integrity of the story. I let my 8 year old read it after me and she is already chomping at the bit for another one!

Thank you for the ARC, NetGalley!

I like that this is a new and modern day version of June B jones. And since graphic novels are really popular amkng kids, I think it will help to push it back towards younger generations. The amazing thing about these stories is they last through generations and are still favorites of kids.

I absolutely LOVE that this book is now a graphic novel as it really opens up the availability of the story to younger audiences. I read this in my kindergarten classroom and I am so excited to be able to give them the opportunity to read it in color with a lot of pictures! Of course the story itself is hilarious!

This was such a fun read and the graphics were super cute. I was too old to read Junie B when it first came but I can now understand why they are so popular. The story was super fun with Junie B not happy about sharing her mother and getting a new sibling but when they arrive she mistakenly thinks the baby is a monkey. So she extorts her friends at school for their things to be the first to meet her little monkey brother but of course she gets caught and has to give her friends back their things. Then it is explained that her brother isn’t a monkey and that she just misunderstood.

Thanks to Random House Children's Books and Netgalley for the complimentary copy of this book. All opinions in this review are my own.

When I first heard that the Junie B. Jones books were getting the graphic novel treatment, I knew I wanted to check them out. I loved this adaptation and how it holds up against the original work. I loved the illustrations and how it captured the spunkiness of Junie B. Jones. I am looking forward to checking out the other books in the graphic novel series when they are released.

Junie B. Jones books are always loved by so many readers, and this is a great way to adapt them to even younger readers. I. have some readers who would love the stories of Junie B. but do not want to start reading regular chapter books yet, so this would be a great way for me to get them to love this character and story. I can use this as a transition into chapters for some of my readers. I have other readers who prefer graphic novels, and this book would let them read and know a character that others love and talk about as well, so they can be included in those same conversations. I absolutely loved this book and will be getting it for my library! I will be recommending it to so many of my students.

This graphic novel adaptation opens up Junie B. Jones for a whole new generation, with as much verve and humor as the original. There are a few strategic updates to bring the book more solidly into the 21st century, but they do so without losing any of the heart of the original.

One of my Speech competitors cut the original of this as a HI last year, and when I told her that I had a copy of the graphic novelization, she wasn't sure it was necessary, but I think she's going to love it. Honestly, a lot of the characterization choices she made and that bring this alive are the same, which is a good thing because the piece took her to the NIETOC.

ARC provided by NetGalley.

Another great Junie B. Jones graphic novel. It has been years since I've read the original book, but this graphic novel took me right back to it. I don't see the original books being picked up as much, so I'm hopeful the graphic novels will awaken a new love for a much-loved series.

Graphic novel version of a Junie B. Jones classic, closely following the original storyline.

I'm always a little mixed on graphic novels on books of this nature. The original print versions are great gateways to getting elementary aged students into chapter books, especially reluctant readers. I feel like Junie came across as much more "bratty" in this version, and I wasn't a fan of the graphic interpretations.

These Junie B. Jones graphic novels are wonderful! I liked the other books, so when I saw that they were a graphic novel, I requested right away I was granted the first one and now the 2nd. I like how they have made the books a bit modern. She is such a funny spunky gal, and the way she interprets what others say and do is hilarious. I love how I can give my students something to compare and contrast--using the old book and the new graphic novel.

This book series does not need graphic novel adaptations. I don’t like these graphic novel adaptations because there’s something missing in the translation. In the books, Junie B is precocious, she learns lessons from her mistakes, people like her and want to be around her. But in the graphic novels, she’s a bratty kid. Without the extra words to give the read insight into Junie’s thoughts and the way she’s perceiving stuff, she doesn’t come off as a nice kid. The reader only sees one side of her. The graphic novel writers have done what they can and the artist has done a fine job, but the graphic novels just do not have the heart of the original book. Especially since the original book is an early chapter’s book. It’s short and this graphic novel takes up almost as many pages if not more than the traditional book does, and it’s worse for the story. If you like Junie B or you want your kids to like Junie B, read the original books.

This is an excellent adaptation of the original chapter books, but like any graphic novel adaptation, some of the inner monologue that gave Junie B her (slightly) bratty personality is sacrificed for the sake of brevity. The language in the text is simple and easy for kids to read and the story is funny, fast-paced and keeps a lot of the original humor that made the book entertaining to read. If anything, this Junie B feels  a tiny bit softer around the edges as a character.

The art style matches the humorous, lighthearted story well. They are more simplified than the original illustrations in the book (for obvious reasons), and I think this also makes Junie B seem a little less abrasive than she was in the original work (ex. Her expressions of disgust/skepticism read a little less potently in the graphic novel's art style).

Overall,  these are a must-have for any children's section/elementary library. They strike me as something that would be fun to pick up during a free reading hour, or to pass some time on a long bus ride.

As expected, just as lovely as the first one! There is o much to be said about making great stories more accessible to a new generation of readers, but I am particularly glad that kids today won’t have to miss out on the sass of Miss Junie B. Jones!
Characters like Junie B. and Amelia Bedelia can mean a lot to kids with neurodivergence or other differing needs/thought processes. Others may just think she’s silly and get entertainment from it. Neither is wrong! …What’s wrong is shaming your children for reading because there are “too many pictures.“ Grateful for accessibility, grateful for fun and respectful adaptations!

The graphic novel adaptation has added a whole new layer of depth to Junie B. Jones! Its been so fun to see characters express their emotions visually, especially when something funny happens.

This is such a wonderful adaptation of the modern classic kids' series. I think this belongs in all libraries. This book has such a funny misunderstanding and a lot of kids Junie's age will find this story very relatable. The artwork captures Junie's bright, goofy, exuberant joy perfectly.

Overall. this is a solidly average attempt at a graphic adaptation of a kids book. The issue is that it doesn't really stand out or stick in my head. Unlike the books it's based on, it's not hardly memorable at all. The attitude of Junie B. is just not there. The irritation she spurns from her peers and teachers is nonexistent, and that's a shame. Where's the sass? Where's Junie B. driving adults crazy to the point that they all have to take aspirin? As a result, it's just not as enjoyable as the novels. Maybe kids will find this more likable, but for my money, I'd rather read and recommend the original books.

I really like the graphic novel adaptation-- Junie B is so beloved, I was nervous. The representation is fantastic and it really stays true to the original feel, sense, and purpose. I think these are going to be very popular in my elementary library, and I can't wait to have them in my collection

I think it's time for me to admit that Junie B Jones just is not for me. I never loved the chapter books growing up, and if Colleen AF Veneble can't make me love a book, it's hopeless.

Junie B Jones has a new baby brother. Her grandparents joke that he's a little monkey. Junie B takes this literally and tells everyone in her class that her brother is a monkey. Things spiral. I taught K for 3 years and cannot imagine any of my students believing something so ridiculous.

I don't understand why this series is so enduring, but I will acknowledge that's a me problem, not a this book problem. 3.5 rounded up

I love that Junie B. Jones is now going the graphic novel route. My kids will love this. I am excited to share with them.