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. ( )

Judy Moody starts third grade in a bad mood.

The 5.5yo and I just didn't find this compelling. We recommend Ramona, Clementine, Ruby Lu, or Cilla Lee-Jenkins instead.

School of Young Judy trying to survive 3rd grade ( )

I really liked this one. I found Judy to be a compelling and relatable character, and I think kids would agree. I didn't know this was set in Virginia, so that was a pleasant surprise. I liked that she has aspirations to be a doctor (like Elizabeth Blackwell, First Woman Doctor) and learns to look past her first impressions to make a new friend. The characters were well-written, and even her family felt authentic. Several plot points were entertaining and kept me amused the whole time I was reading. ( )