<p>Eleven years ago, as my class learned basic reading skills, I was placed in the intermediate reading group rather than the advanced group. This caused my ambitious first-grade self’s frustration to reach profound levels. The advanced group had permission to indulge in the pinnacle of first-grade, easy-reading literature: chapter books. The intermediate group was stuck with clearly inferior picture books. There was one way to move up reading groups: the Caterpillar Reading Program. Reading 10 books a week for a month turns you into a butterfly, moving you up one level. So, naturally, I was the first student to move up groups.</p>
<p>Reading my first chapter book, the phenomenally poignant “Junie B. Jones and the Yucky-Blucky Fruitcake,” epitomized my scholastic achievements to date. That year, I read 23 installments of the quintessential early-reader chapter book. I took pride in this accomplishment, and I boasted about it to anyone who would listen.</p>
<p>Junie B. Jones is a loud, occasionally smelly, demanding, young girl, and she is respected nationally by first grade readers. She’s not perfect-she is easily distracted, occasionally offensive, and she has a spotty memory. However, one overarching theme of all 23 novels I read was that Junie B. always challenges herself and especially people around her. And not only was it accepted; it was encouraged. I followed diligently in her footsteps in many ways.</p>
<p>Many young girls often feel pressured to fit into the Disney princess, “damsel in distress” persona. However, Junie B. did not fit into that stereotype in the least, and she made it work. In short, Junie B. Jones taught me that being unapologetically myself was okay-no matter what other people thought of that.</p>
<p>After the first grade, I had largely forgotten Junie B. Jones. The books on my shelf were continually replaced with the next big thing. The spaces reserved for Junie B. were replaced by the Magic Tree House, which were replaced by Harry Potter. Junie B. had departed from my life entirely.</p>
<p>Ten years later, as an eleventh grader, I once again felt like I was stuck in an intermediate reading group. In a constantly strenuous and competitive environment, I was no longer the best. My high expectations of myself turned into, in my mind, reasons why I was a failure. Self-criticism became self-deprecation. In search for a solution, I reflected upon my past.</p>
<p>One day, it hit me. I remembered the frustration I felt in my reading groups, and I remembered good ole Junie B. Years ago, she showed me that hard work was the most important thing. Regardless of her flaws, she still excelled in her own ways. Now, a year later, I have taken Junie B.'s words to heart, and I can say with confidence that I am a much better version of myself. Thankfully, we’re not divided into reading groups anymore, but that situation helped me to cultivate my competitive nature and allowed me to flourish without feeling the need to conform to anyone else.</p>
<p>I would love it if you could just give me commentary!!! be as cruel as you would like</p>