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{{Infobox Novel series
| name = Just!
| books = [[Just Tricking!]]<br/>[[Just Annoying!]]<br/>[[Just Stupid!]]<br/>[[Just Crazy!]]<br/>[[Just Three for Free!]]<br/>[[Just Disgusting!]]<br/>[[Just Shocking!]]<br/>[[Just Macbeth!]]<br/>[[Just Doomed!]]
| author = [[Andy Griffiths (author)|Andy Griffiths]]
| image =
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}}
'''Just!''' is a successful series of [[short story]] collections by Australian [[children's author]] [[Andy Griffiths (author)|Andy Griffiths]], illustrated by [[Terry Denton]]. The book series is based on Andy Griffiths's early life.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.andygriffiths.com.au/faq/|title=FAQ|date=8 August 2015 }}</ref> The series has been described as a portrayal of the antics of a pre-teen who "thinks outside the box", and is a "notorious mischiefmaker" who plans various pranks and schemes to dodge doing a chore or going to school, among other things.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Literature/AndyGriffithsJustSeries |title=Andy Griffiths' Just Series}}</ref> There have been nine books in the series, with the first book, ''[[Just Tricking!]]'', being released in Australia in 1997. It was later released in North America under the alternative title ''Just Kidding''. The Canadian [[animated series]] ''[[What's with Andy?]]'', which ran on [[Teletoon]] from 2001 to 2007, was also loosely based on this book series.
 
The Canadian [[animated series]] ''[[What's with Andy?]]'', which ran on [[Teletoon]] from 2001 to 2007, was loosely based on this book series.
 
There have been nine books in the series, with the first book, ''[[Just Tricking!]]'', being released in Australia in 1997. Its success and popularity led to its release in North America under the alternative title ''Just Kidding''. Its unique style and cartoon illustrations have proven popular among young readers of the 21<sup>st</sup> century.
 
== Background ==
The author, Andy Griffiths, began writing when he was in the fifth grade. He purchased a typewriter at a second-hand stall at school and created his own magazine, which he sold at school for less than five cents. He then continued writing at high school, but for the school magazine. At university he studied English and American literature and wrote songs for his own rock band, and then went on to study to become a teacher. During his life as a teacher, he began publishing humorous books as the precursor to the “Just!” series.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EKVJAAAAIBAJ&dq=%22Just%21%22+andy+griffiths&pg=PA160&article_id=1376,696200 |title=Bangor Daily News |publisher=Bangor Daily News |language=en}}</ref>
[[File:Andy Griffiths 2019 Texas Book Festival.jpg|thumb|Author of the ''"Just!"'' series, Andy Griffiths]]
Griffiths and his illustrator, Terry Denton, spend their collaborative working time in a studio behind Griffiths’ house, which is decorated with gadgets, toys, a children’s book library, a swimming pool, and bowling alley, much like an imagination of a children’s bedroom. They “push each other to new levels” and “drive each other to ever greater levels of silliness and creativity”.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wood |first=Patrick |date=2016-08-09 |title=Behind the scenes in Andy Griffiths' and Terry Denton's treehouse |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-08-09/andy-griffiths-and-terry-dentons-treehouse/7703770 |access-date=2022-05-15 |website=ABC News |language=en-AU}}</ref> Both Griffiths and Denton believe that through their work, books are equally as entertaining for modern children as electronic medium and offer a ‘personalised imaginative experience’ that will vary between children, allowing for individualised creativity.
 
Denton studied architecture for a short while before leaving University to experiment in the fields of animation, theatre, painting, and cartooning.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Terry Denton Books & Biography {{!}} Author {{!}} Dymocks |url=https://www.dymocks.com.au/authors/terry-denton |access-date=2022-05-15 |website=www.dymocks.com.au}}</ref> Denton’s work has been described as “playful, noisy, humorous, colourful, dramatic, and challenging the reader’s lateral thinking”. He has won various awards for his work as both a writer and illustrator during his career, dating back to 1983, when he realised he had an “urge to write”.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Terry Denton - Allen & Unwin - Australia |url=https://www.allenandunwin.com/authors/d/terry-denton |access-date=2022-05-15 |website=www.allenandunwin.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Terry Denton Books & Biography {{!}} Author {{!}} Dymocks |url=https://www.dymocks.com.au/authors/terry-denton |access-date=2022-05-18 |website=www.dymocks.com.au}}</ref>
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Griffiths’ books are also described as being “transitional material for children between 7 and 10 years old”, particularly due to his use of “child-safe humour” through the recurrence of fart jokes and silly puns, and fewer illustrations than many children’s books.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JzUqAAAAIBAJ&dq=%22Just%21%22+andy+griffiths&pg=PA23 |title=Park City Daily News |publisher=Park City Daily News |language=en}}</ref>
 
[[Shaun Tan]] fromin ''The Iowa Review'' writes that most people believe that the books that most influence them and have made the most impact on the imagination are children’s books or books read during childhood, and that “artists, publishers, booksellers and educators [should] roll up [their] sleeves and get down to the business of making good books".<ref>{{Cite journal |last=TAN |first=SHAUN |date=2015 |title=The Purposeful Daydream: Thoughts on Children's Literature |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/43999807 |journal=The Iowa Review |volume=45 |issue=2 |pages=100–115 |doi=10.17077/0021-065X.7598 |jstor=43999807 |issn=0021-065X|doi-access=free }}</ref>
 
Mark Macleod notes that much of the stories in ''Just Tricking'' deal with the day-to-day lives of the target audience, school-aged children, such as avoiding going to school, and the subsequent battle between parent and child and ultimately, who wins in such a scenario.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Yumpu.com |title=Negotiating Childhoods - Inter-Disciplinary.Net |url=https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/read/6119328/negotiating-childhoods-inter-disciplinarynet |access-date=2022-05-15 |website=yumpu.com |language=en}}</ref>
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==Details of the series==
<onlyinclude>
*''[[Just Tricking!]]''
 
*=== ''[[Just Tricking!]]'' ===
Alternate Titles: ''Just Joking!'' and ''Just Kidding!''
 
Released: 1997
 
This book begins by asking to take the "Tricking Test" to find out if the book is suitable, scoring one point for each 'yes' answer to questions such as playing dead to avoid going to school, pretending to be someone else on the phone, leaving banana skins on footpaths, whether or not you own rubber vomit or fake dog poo, and if you wish it were April Fool's Day every day. HumourouslyHumorously, whether you scored 0 or 5, it says you will love this book.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Just Tricking! - Pan Macmillan AU |url=https://www.panmacmillan.com.au/9780330361415 |access-date=2022-05-18 |website=Pan Macmillan Australia |language=en-AU}}</ref>
 
*=== ''[[Just Annoying!]]'' ===
Reviewers on ''Goodreads.com'' write (about this book) that "[Griffiths] has an easy writing ability", "[Just Tricking!] is an awesome book full of silly but hilarious humour".
 
"Reluctant Readers", as described by one reviewer, choose to read this book and enjoy talking about the chapters in the book.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Just Tricking! |url=https://www.goodreads.com/work/best_book/48413840-just-tricking |access-date=2022-05-18 |website=www.goodreads.com}}</ref>
 
*''[[Just Annoying!]]''
Released: 1998
 
A ''[[Publishers Weekly]]'' review stated that "Denton's scribbled pen illustrations fill up the margins on every page, with jokes, bizarre flip book animations and other absurdities".<ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=Just Annoying! by Andy Griffiths |url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780439424714 |access-date=2022-07-13 |website=www.publishersweekly.com}}</ref>
''Goodreads.com'' describes this book as "outlandish collections of silly stories" about a boy who wants to be the most annoying kid in the world by annoying those near to him, including his family and friends, along the way proving 'how much fun annoying people can be'.
 
Reviewers on the site write that the stories are "annoying", "endlessly entertaining", "laugh out loud funny", however some comment that the book's style is "zany" and "annoying in nature", with one reviewer highlighting the potential danger to young people, addressing concerns that such stories may inspire young adolescents to conduct certain behaviours as outlined in the plot.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Just Annoying |url=https://www.goodreads.com/work/best_book/440582-just-annoying |access-date=2022-05-23 |website=www.goodreads.com}}</ref>
 
*=== ''[[Just Stupid!]]'' ===
Released: 1999
 
'''''Just Stupid!''''' is the third book in the ''[[Just!]]'' series by [[Andy Griffiths (author)|Andy Griffiths]]. It contains various silly short stories, about things such as [[snail]]-shell repairing, baby pram riding, and nonsensical [[dream]]s.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Griffiths |first=Andy |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ErYWvAoiZ-kC |title=Just Stupid! |date=1999 |publisher=Pan |isbn=978-0-330-36148-4 |language=en}}</ref> The book received a [[BILBY Award]] in the Younger Readers category in 2000.<ref>[http://cbca.blob.core.windows.net/media/QLD/lists/Burrow%20of%20fame.pdf Bilby Burrow of Fame] cbca.blob.core</ref>
Readers are encouraged to "gasp, squirm, groan, and laugh" at the 'Just Stupid' adventures, including scenarios such as 'almost exploding searching for a bathroom at the shopping mall'.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Just Stupid! |url=https://www.goodreads.com/work/38688-just-stupid |access-date=2022-05-23 |website=Goodreads |language=en}}</ref>
 
*=== ''[[Just Crazy!]]'' ===
Reviewers on ''Amazon.com'' rated the book overwhelmingly positive, saying ''Just Stupid!'' is "the book the [Just!] series", and that, jokingly, it "inspires [people] to be stupid"<ref>{{Cite book |last=Griffiths |first=Andy |url=https://www.amazon.com.au/Just-Stupid-Book-3-ebook/dp/B003R50ARS |title=Just Stupid! |date=2007-11-10 |publisher=Macmillan Australia |others=Terry Denton |language=English}}</ref>
 
Reviewers on ''Goodreads.com'' agree, commenting that the series is "the greatest series written for middle grade kids who want to be endlessly entertained", and that it is "funny and stupid".<ref name=":3" />
 
*''[[Just Crazy!]]''
Alternative Title: ''Just Wacky!''
 
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Similarly to the first title in the series, ''Just Tricking!'', the book asks readers to take the "Crazy Test", asking questions like "do you look in the mirror and see a crazy maniac staring back at you?" and "do you sometimes get the urge to take your clothes off and cover yourself in mud?"<ref>{{Cite web |title=Just Crazy! (Just Series Book 4) by Andy Griffiths |url=https://www.bigw.com.au/product/just-crazy-just-series-book-4-by-andy-griffiths/p/3461488 |access-date=2022-05-24 |website=BIG W |language=en-AU}}</ref>
 
=== ''Just Three for Free!'' ===
Reviewers on ''Amazon.com'' describe the book as "entertaining" with "really funny jokes" and is recommended for those who want to have an "enjoyable read".<ref>{{Cite book |last=Griffiths |first=Andy |url=https://www.amazon.com.au/Just-Crazy-Book-4-ebook/dp/B003R50EXS |title=Just Crazy! |date=2007-11-10 |publisher=Macmillan Australia |others=Terry Denton |language=English}}</ref>
Released: 2000
 
This book contains three stories: Playing Dead, In The Shower With Andy, and Runaway Pram.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Just Three for Free |url=https://www.goodreads.com/work/70032408-just-three-for-free |access-date=2022-05-25 |website=Goodreads |language=en}}</ref>
 
*=== ''[[Just Three for FreeDisgusting!]]'' (2000)===
*''[[Just Disgusting!]]''
Released: 2002
 
The test for this book asks if readers pick their nose, wear the same undies two days in a row and wee in swimming pools, among other disgusting things. <ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.booktopia.com.au/just-disgusting--andy-griffiths/book/9780330363686.html |title=Just Disgusting!}}</ref>
 
*=== ''[[Just DisgustingShocking!]]'' ===
Reviewers on ''Amazon.com'' describe the book as "disgusting but so funny", with one reviewer comically advising to "not read this on an empty stomach" due to the lists of "grosser than grosser stuff", and that it is a must for "boys who love to read, and those who don't."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Amazon.com.au:Customer reviews: Just Disgusting! |url=https://www.amazon.com.au/Just-Disgusting-Andy-Griffiths/product-reviews/0330363689/ref=cm_cr_dp_d_show_all_btm?ie=UTF8&reviewerType=all_reviews |access-date=2022-05-24 |website=www.amazon.com.au}}</ref>
Released: 2007
 
ReviewersFollowing ona ''Goodreads.com''short agree,break labellingin releases in the series, this book asasks if "fast,you easy,wish andyou funcould todrive read",around in a monster truck crushing everybody and everything that thegets bookin isyour greatway" forand havingif awatching laughvideos orof forpeople whengetting someoneinvolved needsin cheeringaccidents upis funny.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Just Disgusting!book |url=https://www.goodreadsbooktopia.com.au/work/38683-just-disgusting |accessshocking-date=2022-05andy-24griffiths/book/9780330423533.html |websitetitle=GoodreadsJust |language=enShocking!}}</ref>
 
*=== ''[[Just ShockingMacbeth!]]'' (2007)===
Released: 2009
*''[[Just Macbeth!]]'' (2009)
 
*''Just Doomed!'' (2012)</onlyinclude>
A different concept from Griffiths and Denton, this book is an alternative version of ''[[Macbeth]]'' by [[William Shakespeare]]. It was also produced by [[Bell Shakespeare]] for the stage in various performances nationally,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Just Macbeth! {{!}} Bell Shakespeare |url=https://www.australianstage.com.au/200809251907/reviews/melbourne/just-macbeth-%7C-bell-shakespeare.html |access-date=2022-05-25 |website=www.australianstage.com.au |language=en-GB}}</ref> after Griffiths was commissioned by Bell Shakespeare in 2005 to adapt Macbeth for a younger audience.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=2016-11-22 |title=On 'Just Macbeth!', by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton |url=https://www.griffithreview.com/reading-australia-just-macbeth-andy-griffiths-terry-denton/ |access-date=2022-05-25 |website=Griffith Review |language=en-US}}</ref>
 
It is structured as "part narrative, part theatre script"<ref name=":5" /> with stage directions and scripted lines, and acts and scenes are replaced by book chapters.
 
*=== ''Just Doomed!'' (2012)</onlyinclude>===
Released: 2012
 
The "Doomed Test" asks if you have ever broken a mirror, walked under a ladder or opened an umbrella inside, among other superstitious things.
 
</onlyinclude>
 
==References==
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{{Andy Griffiths}}
 
[[Category:Book series introduced in 1997]]
[[Category:Children's short story collections]]
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[[Category:Novels set in the 1970s]]
[[Category:Australian non-fiction books]]
[[Category:Pan Books books]]
 
 
{{child-lit-stub}}