Title of Book: Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Stuart Little; Author: Peggy Gifford; ISBN: 9780440422303; Published by Random House Children's Books
Summary: Moxy Maxwell is required to read Stuart Little before the first day of fourth grade which happens to be tomorrow and she hasn’t even begun the book. Her mother gives her an ultimatum that she is to read Stuart Little before her mother gets home or Moxy won’t be able to go perform with the other petals that night in the synchronized swim contest. Moxy decides cleaning her room and planting a peach tree orchard are more important than Stuart Little. Moxy’s mother allows her to go to the competition so as not to let the other girls down, but she is not allowed to attend the celebration afterwards. Moxy is shown reading Stuart Little with a flashlight in her room at 1 minute before midnight.
My Impressions: Love, love, love this book!! You will be laughing out loud. Who among us has not decided that instead of doing the income taxes, it would be a great time to re-paint the outside of the house and tar the roof while we’re at it. If you know a reluctant reader who is a girl between the ages of 8-12, you must get this book into her hands. The very short chapters (a single word in one case) have hysterical titles like, “Chapter 5 In Which The Word Consequences First Appears” and will not intimidate a slower reader. Instead of illustrations, there are photos which just add to the humor (like the close up of the dictionary where Moxy is looking up the word consequences). Readers will be on the edge of their seat waiting for the next chapter. You will be happy to know Moxy stars in two other fabulous books: Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Practicing the Piano, But She Does Love Being in Recitals and Moxie Maxwell Does Not Love Writing Thanks You Notes.
Flashlight Reading Under the Covers Rating: 5 out of 5
Reviews: “WITH ITS BRILLIANTLY accessible application of a usually complex narrative technique, this work represents a significant raising of the bar for writers of chapter books. Technique or no technique, kids will recognize Moxy—and they will love her.”—Kirkus Reviews, Starred
Summary: Moxy Maxwell is required to read Stuart Little before the first day of fourth grade which happens to be tomorrow and she hasn’t even begun the book. Her mother gives her an ultimatum that she is to read Stuart Little before her mother gets home or Moxy won’t be able to go perform with the other petals that night in the synchronized swim contest. Moxy decides cleaning her room and planting a peach tree orchard are more important than Stuart Little. Moxy’s mother allows her to go to the competition so as not to let the other girls down, but she is not allowed to attend the celebration afterwards. Moxy is shown reading Stuart Little with a flashlight in her room at 1 minute before midnight.
My Impressions: Love, love, love this book!! You will be laughing out loud. Who among us has not decided that instead of doing the income taxes, it would be a great time to re-paint the outside of the house and tar the roof while we’re at it. If you know a reluctant reader who is a girl between the ages of 8-12, you must get this book into her hands. The very short chapters (a single word in one case) have hysterical titles like, “Chapter 5 In Which The Word Consequences First Appears” and will not intimidate a slower reader. Instead of illustrations, there are photos which just add to the humor (like the close up of the dictionary where Moxy is looking up the word consequences). Readers will be on the edge of their seat waiting for the next chapter. You will be happy to know Moxy stars in two other fabulous books: Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Practicing the Piano, But She Does Love Being in Recitals and Moxie Maxwell Does Not Love Writing Thanks You Notes.
Flashlight Reading Under the Covers Rating: 5 out of 5
Reviews: “WITH ITS BRILLIANTLY accessible application of a usually complex narrative technique, this work represents a significant raising of the bar for writers of chapter books. Technique or no technique, kids will recognize Moxy—and they will love her.”—Kirkus Reviews, Starred
How many ways can a soon-to-be fourth grader find to avoid reading Stuart Little ? It's the one book that Moxy Maxwell has to read over the summer. Her remarkable imagination, coupled with stubbornness, gets her to the night before school starts. She's kept the book with her, but just couldn't bring herself to dig in. It's not that she doesn't like to read-she just despises being told what to read. It may be no surprise that when she finally picks the book up, she loves it. Gifford's depiction of an overly exuberant nine-year-old may remind some readers of Lois Lowry's Gooney Bird Greene (Houghton, 2002). Moxy is funny, and most readers will empathize with her avoiding something simply because it's required. One might wish for a little more depth from Moxy, more moderation of her self-centeredness, and, after a few chapters, her avoidance tactics grow a tad stale. But the photographs-touted as having been taken by her twin brother-are fresh. (He read Stuart Little the first day of summer vacation.) Moxy's sarcastic captions for them seize the tone of her day. A dryly observant narration, clever chapter titles, and the spot-on illustrations provide added lift to the story. Pat Leach-School Library Journal
Suggestions for Use in a Library:
An important part of the story is when Moxy planted a peach tree orchard. Gather a peach and a variety of other fruits (some with seeds, some without) Have children predict which fruits will have seeds and which will not. Cut the fruit open to confirm. Afterwards, have a scoop of peach ice cream or yogurt.
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