Judy Moody Gets Famous!

McDonald, Megan. Judy Moody Gets Famous! Cambridge, MA : Candlewick Press, 2001.

Plot: Judy becomes moody again after her classmate gets a picture in the local newspaper. Determined to get featured in the newspaper too, Judy tries to get famous. Lying for fame does not even last a day. A pet competition only manages to show her cat and her elbow in the paper. Even an attempt to set a world record ends with a trip to the emergency room. However, the hospital may offer Judy the opportunity she seeks, even when she does not recognize it.

Genre: Realistic

Reading Level: Grades 4-9

Similar Titles: Clara Lee and the Apple Pie Dream, Plum Fantastic, Something's Fishy, Hazel Green

Personal Thoughts: The sequel extends naturally and pleasantly from the first title. Judy continues to exhibit bad moods, but her reasoning for the bad temperament takes new directions. Instead of merely stemming from an unpleasant summer, Judy's moods spring from jealousy, disappointment, frustrations, and success. Perhaps most pleasingly, she gets her fame unintentionally. Her choice to help someone else anonymously grants her with the fame she wants and the actions she needs to grow as a person. One slight issue also appears from the novel, though. Some of the references, such as box-top toys and Bazooka Joe comics no longer have much relevance in modern culture. Still, the overall tone of the title remains consistent with current trends and the characters remain relevant to readers.