Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Stuart Little (Paperback)

~ Peggy Gifford (Author), Valorie Fisher (Photographer)
Key Phrases: daisy cake, dahlia garden, Stuart Little, Possible Career Paths, Moxy Maxwell (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Moxy Maxwell is a procrastinator. She was assigned Stuart Little for summer reading, but it is still unread on the last day before the first day of school. Moxy's mother is well aware of this lapse. Moxy won't be allowed to play the eighth daisy petal in the water ballet at the local pool if she hasn't finished the book by the time Mom returns home. Intentions are good, but events keep getting in the way. Moxy's room must be cleaned, and the dog has to be trained. She also takes time to ponder the idea of inventing a hammock that automatically stops swinging when the inhabitor gets off. She decides to plant a peach orchard (with bad results). All of this is documented with funny black-and-white photographs taken by Moxy's brother. The short, sassy chapters have an immediacy that may have readers wringing their hands as the clock ticks down. The scenerio will ring true for readers who may have put off a few homework assignments of their own. Cooper, Ilene --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

“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

“Gifford’s depiction of an overly exuberant nine-year-old may remind some readers of Lois Lowry’s Gooney Bird Greene.”—School Library Journal

“The short, sassy chapters have an immediacy that may have readers wringing their hands as the clock ticks down.”—Booklist

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Yearling (April 22, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440422302
• ISBN-13: 978-0440422303
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #72,630 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Summertime homework woes, June 21, 2007

By	24mark "24mark" (Kansas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Stuart Little (Hardcover)

Starting tomorrow, Moxy Maxwell will be in the fourth grade. That means tonight is her last chance to finish her summer reading assignment: all 144 pages of E. B. White's classic adventure story "Stuart Little." And since Moxy is a great reader--she really does LOVE to read--it shouldn't be a problem, right? Wrong. Because Moxy, like many young kids, is not so good at focusing: she can always find something other than homework that she would rather be doing. And so her hilarious, gregarious, and often precarious struggle to complete (or maybe just avoid) her summer homework is the subject of this winning new chapter book for elementary-age readers.

In quick, funny chapters, Peggy Gifford tells how Moxy's situation slides from serious to nearly cataclysmic in the waning hours of her summer vacation. Parental deadlines are set. Punishments are discussed. When the five-dollar word "consequences" is bandied about, Moxy gets right on the ball... cleaning her room... planting a peach orchard... inventing a backyard hammock stabilizer. In short, doing nearly anything and everything except actually digging in and reading "Stuart Little."

Throughout the book, Valorie Fisher's photographs (taken by Moxy's shutterbug brother Mark in the story) comically illustrate Moxy's widening spiral of procrastination and distraction: There's one of "Stuart Little" soaked in lemonade--and a follow-up shot as ants dog-pile onto the book. We get to see the intended site for Moxy's peach orchard dreams (a.k.a. her mom's flower garden), and we also get a reaction shot as her mom stumbles onto the scene of arboricultural mayhem. Each photo is priceless and perfectly woven into the story. Together, words and pictures relate all the furious, fateful events surrounding Moxy's last precious day of summer.

Rest assured that after much hemming and hawing, and following a complete breakdown in family unity and backyard landscaping, Moxy Maxwell does indeed sit down and read "Stuart Little"--all 144 pages. And, not surprisingly, she loves it.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars So cute, August 2, 2007

By	mimagirl "Miss Erin" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Stuart Little (Hardcover)

Moxy Maxwell likes to read. The thing is, she likes to read what she wants to read, and not what someone else tells her to. Now it's almost time for school to start back up, and Moxy has STILL not read her assigned book, Stuart Little. But it's not as if she hasn't been trying to - the book's been everywhere with her all summer. She just hasn't found a good time to actually get to it.

Short, simple, and sweet, Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Stuart Little is an adorable story. Moxy is a winning heroine who you can't help but laugh at and with. The book revolves around one day, August 23rd, and is accented with photos (taken by Moxy's brother) that give the story a nice touch. I would highly recommend this as a fun, easy read for early readers. It would also make a good read-aloud.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Stuart Little, August 27, 2007

By	Elizabeth K. Peterzell "Ms Libby" (Lucedale, MS) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Stuart Little (Hardcover)

Moxy Maxwell is the most delightful character to come along since Junie B. Peggy Gifford uses a charming, humorous, poignant and insightful way of introducing us to Moxy. This is a wonderful book to use to teach vocabulary and for writing lessons. I hope Ms. Gifford continues to delight us with tales of Moxy and her adventures. Well done!!