Junie B. Jones is Not a Crook
By Allison Gregory
Adapted from the books Junie B. Jones is Not a Crook and Junie
B. Jones Loves Handsome Warren by Barbara Park
Junie B. Jones is back on stage at Childsplay in
a brand new adventure. This time, something
terrible has happened! And it's called—
someone took Junie B.’s new black furry
mittens! And they kept them! So when Junie B.
finds a wonderful pen of many colors, she
should be allowed to keep it, right? Because
Finders Keepers, Losers Weepers. And guess
what? There's a new boy in kindergarten! So
why does he think Junie B. is a nutball?! With
the help of her friends and a whole lot of
laughter, Junie B. learns important lessons
about being yourself and doing the right thing.
LITERACY
INTEGRITY
Reading (K-1.R1.3): Describe the connection between
two individuals, events, ideas, or pieces of information in
a text.
21st CENTURY LEARNING
Creativity and Innovation (K-12): Solve Problems – Identify and ask significant questions that clarify various
points of view and lead to better solutions
STEAM
Science/Health (PreK-2.S4.C1.PO1): Demonstrate
healthy ways to express needs, wants, and feelings.
©Childsplay 2016 www.childsplayaz.org
Use the restroom before seeing the show as we do not have intermission during our school performances.
Stay seated during the performance.
Be respectful to the performers and other people in the audience by not talking during the performance.
Appropriate responses such as applause or laughter are always welcome.
Food, candy, gum and beverages will not be allowed in the theater/during the performance. Bottled water is
allowed.
Use of cell phones (including text messaging), cameras or any other recording device is not allowed in the
theatre/during the performance at any time.
As you arrive at the Tempe Center for the Arts (TCA), pay attention to the
building’s roof which is made of complex geometric folded plates.
If you have traveled to the TCA by bus, a Childsplay Ambassador will board
your bus to welcome you and share important information with you and your
students, including where to line up.
If your group arrived by private vehicle, park in the lot on the map we included in your field trip packet and walk to the
front of the theatre.
A house manager will show you where to line up. As you line up in front of the TCA, look up and check out the sculpture,
Sea of Waves I by Ned Kahn, made of a sheet of metal with thousands of glass marbles that light up when the sun reflects
off the mirrors mounted on the steel cables.
An usher assigned especially to your group will show you to your seats. While you walk into the building with your usher,
look at the carpet you are walking on. It’s actually based on a watercolor painting by Hopi artist Ramona Sakiestewa.
Following the performance there will be a brief question/answer session where actors and audience members will have
an opportunity to ask each other questions about the production.
©Childsplay 2016 www.childsplayaz.org
The title of the play is Junie B. is Not a Crook. Based on the title, what do you think the play will be about?
What is the meaning of the word “crook?” Does “crook” have more than one meaning?
What is the difference between finding something and stealing something?
What is an example of something you own that you love? How do you feel when you lose something you
love?
What does the saying “finders keepers, losers weepers” mean? Do
you agree with that saying? Why or why not?
If there was one word to describe you, what would it be?
ACTORS AS CLOSE READERS
Theatre is a collection of choices. A choice is an artistic decision that is made to highlight a component of the
character’s personality, the story, or the theme. An actor’s job is to draw evidence from the text to make choices
that bring characters to life on stage.
Activity: Vocal Choices
Page four of this document contains a cutting from the script between the characters Junie B. and her teacher
Mrs. Have the students read the play synopsis on page one to learn more about the story. Next, have them read
the scene in pairs and then make vocal choices for their characters based on the text. Students should pay close
attention to the stage directions to find information about what the characters are feeling and doing. When
making a vocal choice, think about pacing (fast or slow), pitch (high or low), emotion (what the character is
feeling), and subtext (underlying meaning). If students are too young to read on their own, try reading this
activity aloud to the class.
The Principal’s New Clothes
by Stephanie Calmenson
Mr. Peabody’s Apples
by Madonna
David Gets in Trouble
by David Shannon
BROUGHT TO YOU BY
WHERE EDUCATION AND IMAGINATION
TAKE FLIGHT
The Wolf Who Cried Boy
by Bob Hartman
Strega Nona
by Tommie dePaola
©Childsplay 2016 www.childsplayaz.org
Below is a short cutting from the script between Junie B. and Mrs. Note that the words in parenthesis are
called stage directions and are there to give you information about what the character is doing or saying.
Stage directions are not read aloud.
JUNIE B.
Only guess what? I saw something very terrible, that’s what. And it’s called HEY! SOMEBODY STOLED MY MITTENS! (She runs in panicked circles, hollering.) 911! 911! 911! SOMEBODY STOLED THEM! SOMEBODY STOLED
MY MITTENS!
(MRS. enters.)
JUNIE B.
They stoled them, Mrs.! They stoled my mittens! 911!
MRS.
Who, Junie B.? Who stole them?
JUNIE B.
A stealer, that’s who! A stealer stoled them! And so what kind of school is this? ‘Cause I didn’t even know
there was crooks at this place!
MRS.
Calm down, Junie B. Please lower your voice.
JUNIE B.
Yeah, only I can’t even calm it down that good. ‘Cause I am heartsick, that’s why. (to Audience) Heartsick is
the grown-up word for when your heart is sick. (to Mrs.) Now all I have left is my dumb attractive jacket. (Mrs.
picks up the jacket.)
MRS.
You and I are going to the office.
JUNIE B.
No, Mrs.! I’m not allowed to go there! Mother said if I get sended to the office one more time, I will get
grounded, young lady. Grounded, young lady is when I have to stay on my own ground. Plus, also I can go on
the rug.
MRS.
I’m not taking you to the principal’s office to punish you, Junie B. I’m taking you to find your mittens. (Junie B.
gasps.)
JUNIE B.
(shocked) Principal? Principal stoled my mittens?
MRS.
No, Junie B. He didn’t steal your mittens. The office is where the Lost and Found is located.
*From Junie B. is Not A Crook adapted by Allison Gregory, ©Copyright January 2015
©Childsplay 2016 www.childsplayaz.org