The 20 Best Children’s Books Like Junie B. Jones

Junie B. Jones is a children’s novel series aimed at readers aged between 5 and 7. It is a long series, having been published over 21 years between 1992 and 2013, so there’s plenty to sink your teeth into here.

This series was written by Barbara Park and follows an ‘almost 6-year-old’ whilst she experiences kindergarten and first grade. She experiences many adventures and has lots of different relationships with friends, family members, and teachers.

Junie B. Jones is both educational and entertaining for child readers and can offer subtle advice and information about navigating academic work, personal and familial relationships, and key information about the world. 

Junie B. Jones would be a brilliant addition to any child’s reading list however, many reviewers have claimed that some of the themes included are outdated and that Junie’s attitude (at times) promotes inappropriate behavior such as being ‘sassy’ and using disrespectful language when conversing with adult characters.

However, this has only been mentioned by a few reviewers and should not be taken as gospel. The best way to find out is to read it yourself and decide whether you want your child to be exposed to the themes and attitudes promoted in these books. 

The Junie B. Jones series has been adored by readers all across the globe and has provided an excellent balance of integral worldly information and advice about social interaction. It often encourages children to ask questions about key themes which can help them understand the world with more clarity or navigate relationships with more ease. 

Whether you’ve read and loved Junie B. Jones or whether you’re not keen and looking for something else, this article will provide a plethora of great suggestions that are guaranteed to satisfy both parent and child. 

Therefore, here are 20 book recommendations similar to Junie B. Jones.  

All Mixed Up! by Kim Wayans

After being homeschooled, Amy finally starts 4th grade at school. Scared and excited, Amy doesn’t know what to expect. But she never expected to get bullied. Because Amy is mixed race, with Asian, African, and white American heritage, she gets teased and given the nickname ‘Amy Hodgepodge’.

All Mixed Up! is an excellent book that teaches children about diversity, racial inclusion, and friendships. It’s a fantastic way to get your child thinking about racial issues and to provoke conversation about social interaction and mean behaviors. 

Picture Day by Susan Nees

Picture Day is the perfect book to read if you’re keen to increase your child’s reading confidence. It’s the first one in a 4-book series and is jam-packed with fast-paced plots, easy vocabulary, and interesting stories, so your child will likely get through it quite quickly which will boost their confidence and reading skills.

It follows Missy, a young creative girl who wants to find a cool outfit for picture day at school. As her mum and school try to ‘tone’ her down, Missy’s independence and individuality shine through.

Frankly Frannie by A.J. Stern

Extremely organized Frannie is taking a class trip to the local radio station. But the host can’t be found anywhere. Frannie being Frannie decides to step in and save the day. She hosts the radio show herself and oozes confidence while doing so. But when people phone in with questions, Frannie gets flustered and realizes she isn’t equipped to answer.

Frankly Frannie is an entertaining read that teaches kids about confidence and education. It delves into the importance of learning and listening and warns of arrogant behavior.

Tooth Trouble by Abby Klein

As the only one in his class who has never lost a tooth, Freddy Thresher feels behind. All the other kids have made it to the Big Tooth, a tradition held in Mrs. Wushy’s first-grade class, and Freddy is determined to get his name there too. 

He goes to extreme lengths to get rid of one of his teeth, including getting in trouble at school and at home. Tooth Trouble will be relatable for many children who feel like they’re less grown up than their peers. This book teaches about the importance of individual journeys and advises against competing with other people.

Bink & Gollie by Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee

This is the first of a 3-book series that follows two girls, one tall, one small but both inseparable. Bink and Gollie have been friends for ages and have so much fun together cooking, building, and playing. 

Bink & Gollie is a brilliant story of friendship and adventure, perfect for newly independent readers.

Daisy Dawson by Steve Voake

When Daisy helps free a butterfly from a spider’s web, she gains an amazing power. She realizes she can understand what animals are saying, which proves very useful when her dog, Boom, goes missing.

Daisy Dawson is a great book for any young animal lover. It’s a wholesome, whimsical book guaranteed to make even the most reluctant reader smile.

Kylie Jean by Marci Peschke

Kylie Jean follows a young girl of the same name throughout her time at school. She’s cool, fashionable, and has tons of different hobbies that provide her with a great variety of experiences and friends. As she dives into different activities and interacts with different people, Kylie learns more about herself and the world around her. 

This series is made up of 27 different books, each of which provides a different story. It teaches kids to dive into everything they can and have a wide range of hobbies.

Rainbow Street Shelter by Wendy Orr

This is an emotive and heart-warming series about lost, abandoned, and missing pets. The stories follow both pets and owners during their time apart and sometimes incorporate agencies and organizations that help along the way. 

Rainbow Street Shelter is ideal for any aspiring pet owner or animal lover. It gets children thinking about animal rights, pet care, and animal treatment.

The Misadventures of Salem Hyde by Frank Cammuso

Salem Hyde isn’t like the other ordinary kids… she’s actually a witch. Salem is impulsive and has a tendency to act without thinking, meaning she often makes mistakes and has become fairly accident-prone.

She is given a cat companion, who poses all kinds of problems and turns out to be the complete opposite of Salem. The Misadventures of Salem Hyde follows Salem as she journeys through school with her beloved cat, trying not to cause havoc and disruption along the way.

Ivy and Bean by Annie Barrows

While Bean is loud and wacky, Ivy is quiet and intelligent. They couldn’t be more opposite but somehow they now thrive as best friends. This is a 3-book series that follows these two best friends on different adventures and through different problems.

Ivy and Bean is a great choice for any child navigating school and incorporates elements of fantasy, thrill, and adventure. This series has sold over 5 million copies worldwide and is widely acknowledged as a fantastic read, so you’re in safe hands here.

Sofia Martinez by Jacquline Jules

This 7-year-old has a reputation for being fun, imaginative, and exciting. She is bursting full of energy and has heaps of fun doing even the most ordinary things. 

The Sofia Martinez series features interesting aspects of Hispanic culture, including the odd Spanish word and a Spanish glossary. She is a super interesting character that loves to delve into adventures, so not only will your little one be fully entertained but they may also learn a Spanish word or two!

Dory Fantasmagory by Abby Hanlon

The Dory Fantasmagory is a 4-book adventure series that follows the endeavors of Dory, a small girl with a big personality. She is desperate for a playmate and gets little attention from her family, so her imagination often runs wild.

This series watches Dory grow from an isolated girl with only imaginary friends to a confident, energetic child surrounded by friends. It teaches children about personal development and will offer advice about making friends and navigating school.

Zoey and Sassafras by Asia Citro

This extremely popular series features a bit of everything and has had readers hooked since the very first book. This series follows Zoey and her pet Cat called Sassafras. They set off on magical adventures, make mythical friends, and delve into new worlds. They use science experiments, investigate mysteries, and explore fantastical elements – perfect for any child wanting to dip into several literary genres.

Zoey and Sassafras has earned a well-deserved reputation and each book even includes a detailed but child-friendly glossary of scientific terms used to help children learn the scientific basics.

Ramona Quimby by Beverly Cleary

Beezus and Ramona are sisters. Beezus is tasked with being the responsible, older sister while Ramona is free to cause chaos and explore her imagination as the young, energetic one. Their relationship is interesting and fluctuates frequently but it teaches children about the importance of sibling relationships and emphasizes the importance of equal respect, fun, and responsibility.

Ramona Quimby is a clever book that will shed light on the complex relationship between siblings. It is suitable for children between the ages of 4 and 10 and will provide an entertaining yet insightful read.

Jada Jones by Kelly Starling Lyons

Dedicated, intelligent, science-obsessed Jada is a fantastic role model for young children, particularly girls. The character sheds light on the interesting aspects of science and encourages young girls to think about jobs in STEM. That may seem very far off, but getting children excited about science at a young age can help them make the right choices at an early stage.

Jada Jones is a series that explores the adventures, activities, and relationships of Jada, as she experiences different things and socializes with different people. She is a broad-ranging character with plenty to offer and the stories’ easy-to-read nature will make this series a fast-paced favorite.

JoJo Makoons by Dawn Quigley

Tailored for children aged 6-8, this series follows a 7-year-old who has a very different life in comparison with many of the other characters on this list. JoJo is of Indian heritage and is deeply spiritual. Her family makes a conscious effort to teach her about her culture as well as all the other stuff, like cleaning, friendships, and school. 

JoJo Makoons sheds light on the difficulty of navigating relationships and friendships as someone of a different heritage and lifestyle. JoJo struggles to make friends at first and has numerous issues with the friends she does make. This series is fantastic if you want to make your child more culturally aware or want to teach them a thing or two about friendship.

Mindy Kim by Lyla Lee

Mindy Kim follows a young girl as she integrates her American school as an Asian child. Mindy aims to start a snack business using seaweed, a common snack eaten in Asia, but not so common in the States. 

This book also sheds light on cultural awareness, as well as features some integral themes such as school, friendships, and business strategy. Mindy’s experiences in school illustrate personal growth and confidence development, perfect for shy children or those who struggle to fit in.

Princess Posey by Stephanie Greene

This is one of the most popular children’s series. It follows Posey, who works her way through school, struggling with the integration process and confidence issues. She is quite a nervous girl and feels totally lost without her pink tutu, which (to her) transforms her into a beautiful princess. 

Princess Posey is all about individual growth and fitting in, perfect for any child starting school soon.

Heidi Heckelbeck by Wanda Coven

Heidi is a witch but must hide it from the rest of her school. She previously got homeschooled and didn’t need to worry about freely using magic but now, she must conceal her identity, which becomes super hard when she makes good friends. 

Heidi Heckelbeck is a brilliant blend of fantasy and reality. Although many kids can’t relate to having special powers in disguise, they may relate to her struggle to fit in with the other children.

Ruby Lu, Brave and True by Lenore Look

With a fantastic imagination, Ruby has nothing to lose. She embarks on her own adventures and oozes confidence wherever she goes. But realities also kick in, restricting Ruby to her ‘real’ self – Chinese school on Saturday and an annoying brother. 

Ruby Lu, Brave and True is all about the balance between reality and imagination. Many children will relate to Ruby’s struggle but this book will illustrate how important it is to stay true to yourself in the real world!

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for an adventure-filled, thought-provoking read for your child, hopefully, this list has provided you with some inspiration. Any of these 20 recommendations will be fantastic for your child and each explores different characters and themes so you can choose the book best suited for you.

Frequently Asked Questions