Junie B. Jones Is a Graduation Girl

My name is Junie B. Jones. The B stands for Beatrice. Except I don't like Beatrice. I just like B and that's all.

I was named after the month of Junie. ’Cause Junie is the month I was born in, of course!

And wait till you hear this!

Yesterday, I finally had my birthday!

AND NOW I AM SIX YEARS OLD!

That day was like magic, I tell you!

’Cause on Saturday night when I went to bed, I was only five years old.

And the next morning—boom!—I WAS SIX!

My grandma Helen Miller had a happy-birthday party for me. She invited my mother and daddy and my grampa Frank Miller.

Also, she invited my baby brother named Ollie. He is seven months old.

He did not add that much.

I loved my party a very lot.

First, I loved my chocolatey cake with white icing. Next, I loved my strawberry ice cream. Plus also, I loved my balloons! And my funny birthday hats. And all my happy-birthday cards!

But mostly …

I LOVED MY PRESENTS!

I got five entire boxes to open. And good news! None of them was clothes.

Mostly, I got toys and games. Also, I got a tool belt just my size! Plus my grampa Miller gave me my very own plumbing supplies to help fix the toilet!

But that is not even the end of all my excitement! Because that night—when Mother tucked me into bed—she reminded me that I am graduating from kindergarten on Friday!

My stomach felt jumpy inside when she said that. I quick counted on my fingers.

“But Friday is only five more days,” I said.

I did a gulp. “That event sneaked right up on us, didn't it?” I said kind of nervous.

Mother hugged me. “You're not worried, are you, Junie B.?” she asked.
“Graduation will be fun. I promise. And you're going to love first grade.”

“But Paulie Allen Puffer says that next year everything will be different,” I said. “He says that first grade won't have the
same kids as Room Nine does. And so all of our classmates will be weirdo strangers.”

Mother did a frown. “No, no, no. That's not true,” she said. “I'm sure you'll know a lot of children in your class next year, Junie B. But even if your best friends aren't in your room, you will still be able to play with them at recess. Right?”

I nodded my head kind of slow.

“Yes. I guess so,” I said. “Plus Paulie Allen Puffer says that we will be the boss of all the kindergarten kids. So that will be fun, probably. And also, he says our brains and our feet will double in size.”

Mother stared at me a real long time. “That Paulie Allen Puffer is a fountain of knowledge,” she said very quiet.

After that, we talked some more about graduation and first grade.

And guess what?

The next day at school, my teacher talked about it even
more.

Her name is Mrs. She has another name, too. But I just like Mrs. and that's all.

Mrs. clapped her hands real happy.

“Well, this is
it
, boys and girls!” she said. “Graduation week is finally here. At seven o'clock on Friday evening, Room Eight and Room Nine will have our graduation ceremony together. And, of course, the children in morning kindergarten will be graduating, too. So every single one of you will receive a diploma!”

I springed out of my chair very thrilled.

“A DIPLOMA! A DIPLOMA! I WILL LOVE A DIPLOMA!” I shouted.

Just then, I did a teensy frown.

“It's not clothes, correct?” I asked.

A meanie boy named Jim laughed real loud.

“Ha! You Gooney Bird Jones! You don't even know what a diploma
is
,” he said.

I stamped my foot at that boy.

“Oh yes, I do
too
, Jim,” I said. “I know perfectly well what it is. But I am not even the teacher here. And so I will let her explain it to the class.”

I sat down and smoothed my skirt. Then I pointed to Mrs.

“Okay, go,” I said.

Mrs. wrinkled her eyebrows at me. “As I was about to say, a diploma is a very special piece of paper. A diploma is a certificate that says you've completed part of your education. As you go through school, you'll get several diplomas,” she said. “But this one will be your first.”

I springed up again. “And guess what else, Mrs.? I am not even afraid of first grade anymore! ’Cause I'll be getting big feet and brains!”

Mrs. said
sit down
to me. Then she told us more about graduation.

She said that as a treat for our families, we will be making them special graduation invitations. And so that will be our activity for the day!

“Yippee!” I said. “I love making invitations, Mrs.! On account of that does not even sound like learning!”

After that, I clapped and clapped.

And all of Room Nine clapped with me.

’Cause graduation week was starting off like a charm!