Maurice's Room

by Paula Fox, Ingrid Fetz (Illustrator)

Eight-year-old Maurice's struggle to protect his bedroom full of treasured "junk" from unsympathetic parents undergoes a transformation when the family moves to the country.

Genres: Ebooks, Realistic Fiction

64 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1966

About the author

Paula Fox was an American author of novels for adults and children and two memoirs. Her novel The Slave Dancer (1973) received the Newbery Medal in 1974; and in 1978, she was awarded the Hans Christian Andersen Medal. More recently, A Portrait of Ivan won the Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis in 2008.

A teenage marriage produced a daughter, Linda, in 1944. Given the tumultuous relationship with her own biological parents, she gave the child up for adoption. Linda Carroll, the daughter Fox gave up for adoption, is the mother of musician Courtney Love.

Fox then attended Columbia University, married the literary critic and translator Martin Greenberg, raised two sons, taught, and began to write.

Reviews

[Auntie Raye-Raye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute. Gave me ideas to decorate my room.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars -- I am not sure that I can rate this story fairly. It kind of felt like a bad Disney movie. I laughed out loud several times at the situations Maurice finds himself in, and I also cringed at Maurice's parents, who are bizarrely referred to as Mr. Henry & Mrs. Henry multiple times. Given Maurice's fixation on 'reusable treasures' - whether they are from the trash, a junkyard, or found on the street, Maurice's parents are stymied at every turn and are frequently presented as inept & stupid. Their ultimate solution to Maurice's 'collecting' is to move to the country, where he will have a whole barn to keep his collections in. #15 in the 2026 Search & Purge, the book has no checkouts, is not in any local library, & has pages that have eased themselves from the sewn binding (which I am not skilled enough to repair). It has some great moments, but I think it's time to go. Farewell.

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short chapter book for young readers about an 8-year-old that was pretty funny with great drawings. The version I borrowed from the library was published in 1966 and had drawings by Ingrid Fetz on the covers as well as inside. The front and back covers showed the two friends sitting together—on a curb in the city on the front cover and on a wagon wheel on the farm where Maurice moved.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is more light-hearted than some others I have read by Paula Fox. Some of Maurice's habits are rather close to home.

Maurice collects all kinds of things that don't belong in his room and his parents despair. He is aided by his friend and the caretaker of the building.

This is a funny book which would be suitable for children who like realistic stories but find longer books intimidating.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those children’s classics that somehow escaped me during my younger days. I bought it yesterday at a library book sale. It’s charming, and I can’t wait until my nephew is older and we can read it together.

[Jenny Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to love this book more. Maybe I couldn't because I'm too much like Maurice.

Lovely illustrations.

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

There isn't much to this short book, though it is well-written. It would appeal most to kids who are themselves collectors, as these are the readers most likely to be interested in everything Maurice keeps in his room and sympathetic to his desire to have more space for keeping his treasures. Otherwise, it really is a story where not much happens.

[Books Kids Like · Rating 3 out of 5]

According to his parents, Maurice's room is overrun with junk. Maurice sees each item in the overflowing room as invaluable and fascinating. Maurice's parents search for ways to distract Maurice from "junk" collecting. They borrow Maurice's uncle's dog for a week. When the dog starts carrying off Maurice's things, Maurice devises a plan to get rid of the dog. Next, his parents try trumpet lessons. Maurice conveniently loses the instrument. A toy sailboat as a birthday present doesn't distract him either. Then, Maurice's parents decide to move to the country. Maurice packs his collection in a trunk. The victim of a freak accident, the trunk never makes it to the new house. His parents rejoice until Maurice inspects the barn.
©2024 Kathy Maxwell at https://bookskidslike.com

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually read this as part of the Junior Great Books series. Fun story about "one man's trash is another man's (or boy's) treasure." Especially loved the chapter about the stuffed bear. Laugh out loud funny!

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

a cute story about growing up and finding the beauty in old things

[Soledad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book every year with my 4 th grade students and they enjoy it.

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

Captures a little bit of what childhood is like for some kids. I fear the book holds limited appeal outside of that audience