{My Thoughts} – Judy Moody is a little girl that is unhappy that summer is over. It’s the first day of school and she didn’t get to do anything special, like she assumed all of her friends probably had. At breakfast, however, she learns that she did do something worth talking about, she ate shark. She decides that this news of shark eating is so special that she just has to mark up her t-shirt to show that she had ate shark. I have to say that if it were my daughter I would have been surprised, however, at least she had something to talk about the first day of third grade.

Once class begins the teacher assigns homework. Judy is suppose to make a “Me Collage.” The object of the collage is to allow students to creatively tell others more about themselves, through pictures, objects, etc… She goes through a rough go of trying to make this collage for school. It appears that she was putting way more thought into it and what others would think about it, then just having fun with the assignment. Eventually she finishes it and has to present at at school. In between somethings happen that almost stop her from presenting it, but she decides to take a chance and does and it all turns out okay and in her favor.

I really enjoyed the illustrations in this book. They helped to bring more character to the story. I also like how the simple wording of the story continued throughout the entire book. I want to read more of this series in the future, as this was a rather enjoyable read. ( )

{My Thoughts} – Judy Moody is a little girl that is unhappy that summer is over. It’s the first day of school and she didn’t get to do anything special, like she assumed all of her friends probably had. At breakfast, however, she learns that she did do something worth talking about, she ate shark. She decides that this news of shark eating is so special that she just has to mark up her t-shirt to show that she had ate shark. I have to say that if it were my daughter I would have been surprised, however, at least she had something to talk about the first day of third grade.

Once class begins the teacher assigns homework. Judy is suppose to make a “Me Collage.” The object of the collage is to allow students to creatively tell others more about themselves, through pictures, objects, etc… She goes through a rough go of trying to make this collage for school. It appears that she was putting way more thought into it and what others would think about it, then just having fun with the assignment. Eventually she finishes it and has to present at at school. In between somethings happen that almost stop her from presenting it, but she decides to take a chance and does and it all turns out okay and in her favor.

I really enjoyed the illustrations in this book. They helped to bring more character to the story. I also like how the simple wording of the story continued throughout the entire book. I want to read more of this series in the future, as this was a rather enjoyable read. ( )

Cute, but typical. The writing was direct and entertaining. They focus on making the brother miserable, while realistic, made me sad. ( )

Independent Reading Level: Grades 1-5
Notable Children's Books (2001) ( )

Judy is self-centered and ungrateful for what she has. But her parents don't guide her and teach her. Her teacher doesn't guide her and teach her, either. They let her be moody and play pranks on her little brother and act mean to her classmate who wants to make friends with her. She's just a horrible person. She plays pranks on people. She thinks her pranks are very funny. And the author lets people take her pranks well. How convenient. Sometimes Judy becomes nice or becomes more mature at facing the things that don't go well in her life. She achieves this growth for no reason at all. Nothing that triggers personal growth. It's just a miracle, I guess :P But my daughter really enjoyed the funny pranks. And Judy's little brother is never upset at her pranks. Good for him. Makes it so easy for the author to present the story arcs as cheerful, funny and harmless. ( )