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Moxy Maxwell #2
Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Writing Thank-you Notes
Here's the second book in the hilarious Moxy Maxwell series, which includes Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Stuart little and Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Practicing the Piano . It isn't as though Moxy isn’t grateful for her Christmas presents. She is. She’s just not thrilled that she has to write a thank-you note for each one by tomorrow . . . or she will not be allowed to fly to Hollywood to attend a starstudded Hollywood bash with the father she hasn’t seen in three years. And writing thank-you notes is not something that a world-class Creative Type relishes doing. But it is more than writing thank-you notes that finally prevents Moxy from taking her trip. When her father cancels at the last minute, Moxy is forced to deal with the reality of a situation she doesn’t want to accept, and can’t change. But, not surprisingly, she rises to the occasion brilliantly.
From the Hardcover edition.
From the Hardcover edition.
176 pages, Library Binding
First published January 1, 2008
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229 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
April 7, 2009
I loved Moxy Maxwell does not Love Stewart Little, so I was excited to get my hands on this one. However, instead of cute (mostly) innocent ways of getting out of something (like in the first), Moxy is bratty and destructive. Does anyone really believe that a nine year old would think it was a good idea to spray paint thank you on a piece of paper? And, not recognize she had gone off the paper and written it across the wall? Seriously?
I would still highly recommend the first one, but would probably skip this one.
I would still highly recommend the first one, but would probably skip this one.
November 14, 2025
This is my first Moxy Maxwell book, picked up at the library in the specially marked Christmas books section.
I immediately liked Moxy. As I kept reading, I then intensely disliked her. Instead of being amusing and childlike, she became obnoxious, childish, entitled, bratty, and bossy in her treatment of family and close friends. She had 12 notes to write and got an amazing idea for how to quickly handle this, which promptly backfired creating more...fun.
Soon after, real life and heartbreak make their annual Christmas appearance. Moxy becomes endearing again due to her situation with her Dad. Who always has a Very Big Deal at hand. A top priority. Ah, yes. Art imitates real life. So as not to spoil the ending, I will simply note, like the Christmas Spirit, Love is there the whole time. With an awesome lesson on writing thank-you notes from the heart.
I immediately liked Moxy. As I kept reading, I then intensely disliked her. Instead of being amusing and childlike, she became obnoxious, childish, entitled, bratty, and bossy in her treatment of family and close friends. She had 12 notes to write and got an amazing idea for how to quickly handle this, which promptly backfired creating more...fun.
Soon after, real life and heartbreak make their annual Christmas appearance. Moxy becomes endearing again due to her situation with her Dad. Who always has a Very Big Deal at hand. A top priority. Ah, yes. Art imitates real life. So as not to spoil the ending, I will simply note, like the Christmas Spirit, Love is there the whole time. With an awesome lesson on writing thank-you notes from the heart.
January 26, 2023
I enjoyed this children's book. Other reviewers talked about how bratty Moxy was in this novel. I thought she acted like a typical 10 year old who is told that she won't be going on a long-anticipated trip. I loved the chapter titles and chuckled several times while listening. I thought the ending added a real life twist to what seemed like a childish book. Kudos to Mom and kudos to Moxy for recognizing Mom's willingness to protect her children's feelings.
January 17, 2009
2nd-4th grade. Loved the first one. Couldn't get through the second one. I just wanted her to write her thank you cards!
June 12, 2019
On audio with the kids
November 14, 2019
Read this with my kids. At one point, Moxy's stepdad tells himself "Grown men don't cry" when he's upset about something. So we won't be reading any more of these.
November 10, 2012
Reviewed by Sally Kruger aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com
If you hate writing thank-you notes, then you will want to read about Moxy Maxwell. She is under the pressure of a deadline to write her Christmas thank yous, and it's driving her crazy.
Moxy and her twin brother, Mark, are excited about their upcoming trip to Hollywood. They are going to visit their father, who is considered to be a "big mover and shaker" in the Hollywood scene. They haven't seen him in three years, a fact that greatly distresses their mother. That's sort of what has Moxy confused. Her mother wants them to make this important visit, but at the same time, she is insisting that Moxy write all her Christmas thank yous in one day before she leaves.
Thank-you notes seem incredibly pointless to Moxy. Since Granny George lives with them, she sees her every day, but when Moxy tells Granny thank you verbally, her mother says she will still need to write a thank-you note. She says it is the polite thing to do. So Moxy starts the tedious process, but she soon begins to get ideas about ways to make the job easier.
Some of those time-saving ways involve her little sister, Pansy, an off-limits, brand-new copy machine her step-father got for Christmas, a broken La-Z-Boy chair, and a can of gold spray paint. Moxy's creative ideas wreck havoc on the entire household, and surprisingly don't accomplish much in the way of completed thank-you notes.
Readers will have great fun observing Moxy's crazy schemes and shortcuts. Just as most of us feel, her ideas seem like a good idea at the time, but good ideas don't always come with good results. Author Peggy Gifford has captured the frustration of the 9-12 age group. They will easily relate to Moxy's desires and emotions as she struggles to meet the demands of the adult world and satisfy her own wants as well.
If you hate writing thank-you notes, then you will want to read about Moxy Maxwell. She is under the pressure of a deadline to write her Christmas thank yous, and it's driving her crazy.
Moxy and her twin brother, Mark, are excited about their upcoming trip to Hollywood. They are going to visit their father, who is considered to be a "big mover and shaker" in the Hollywood scene. They haven't seen him in three years, a fact that greatly distresses their mother. That's sort of what has Moxy confused. Her mother wants them to make this important visit, but at the same time, she is insisting that Moxy write all her Christmas thank yous in one day before she leaves.
Thank-you notes seem incredibly pointless to Moxy. Since Granny George lives with them, she sees her every day, but when Moxy tells Granny thank you verbally, her mother says she will still need to write a thank-you note. She says it is the polite thing to do. So Moxy starts the tedious process, but she soon begins to get ideas about ways to make the job easier.
Some of those time-saving ways involve her little sister, Pansy, an off-limits, brand-new copy machine her step-father got for Christmas, a broken La-Z-Boy chair, and a can of gold spray paint. Moxy's creative ideas wreck havoc on the entire household, and surprisingly don't accomplish much in the way of completed thank-you notes.
Readers will have great fun observing Moxy's crazy schemes and shortcuts. Just as most of us feel, her ideas seem like a good idea at the time, but good ideas don't always come with good results. Author Peggy Gifford has captured the frustration of the 9-12 age group. They will easily relate to Moxy's desires and emotions as she struggles to meet the demands of the adult world and satisfy her own wants as well.
October 16, 2008
Gifford, Peggy. 2008. Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Writing Thank You Notes. Illustrated by Valorie Fisher.
I loved, loved, loved the first Moxy Maxwell book, Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Stuart Little. And this one, the second one, has been on my wish list for over eight months. Moxy is a girl after my own heart.
This book opens several months after the close of the first one. It is Christmas vacation, and Moxy Maxwell has plans--big plans, of course--for how she wants to spend her vacation. And guess what...writing thank you notes is NOT on the list. What Moxy is looking forward to most of all is visiting her father in California. Her and her brother Mark are supposed to be spending half their vacation with him. They haven't seen him for three years (or is it two?) and Moxy is ecstatic. The only thing in her way seems to be the fact that she can't bring herself to write twelve thank you notes to her family, friends, and relatives.
Everything I loved about the first book is present in the second. And then some. The completely original and hilarious voice. The wacky chapter titles. The intricate family relationships. Mark's photographs. But this second book deals with a more serious subject matter--the delicate, often tricky, very complex nature of divorced families. The book is funny, yes. But it's also full of heart.
Here is how the book begins, "It was the day after Christmas and Moxy Maxwell had a list of 13 Things to Do Before Tomorrow. Tomorrow she and her twin brother, Mark, were flying to Hollywood to spend the last week of vacation with their father.
Moxy had been looking forward to this trip for, as she put in, "ages and ages"--ever since her mother called her dad and told him that this year he had to take the twins for the last part of Christmas vacation." (1)
© Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews
I loved, loved, loved the first Moxy Maxwell book, Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Stuart Little. And this one, the second one, has been on my wish list for over eight months. Moxy is a girl after my own heart.
This book opens several months after the close of the first one. It is Christmas vacation, and Moxy Maxwell has plans--big plans, of course--for how she wants to spend her vacation. And guess what...writing thank you notes is NOT on the list. What Moxy is looking forward to most of all is visiting her father in California. Her and her brother Mark are supposed to be spending half their vacation with him. They haven't seen him for three years (or is it two?) and Moxy is ecstatic. The only thing in her way seems to be the fact that she can't bring herself to write twelve thank you notes to her family, friends, and relatives.
Everything I loved about the first book is present in the second. And then some. The completely original and hilarious voice. The wacky chapter titles. The intricate family relationships. Mark's photographs. But this second book deals with a more serious subject matter--the delicate, often tricky, very complex nature of divorced families. The book is funny, yes. But it's also full of heart.
Here is how the book begins, "It was the day after Christmas and Moxy Maxwell had a list of 13 Things to Do Before Tomorrow. Tomorrow she and her twin brother, Mark, were flying to Hollywood to spend the last week of vacation with their father.
Moxy had been looking forward to this trip for, as she put in, "ages and ages"--ever since her mother called her dad and told him that this year he had to take the twins for the last part of Christmas vacation." (1)
© Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews
October 10, 2023
Not as good as the first as this one became more predictable
-We figured out who Moxy's father is
-If moxy's mom knows she doesn't do things that she doesn't want to do, why not sit down and help her?
-good way to discuss divorce and step kids without spending too much time on it
-wait... so moxy's last name was legally changed?
-a 5 year old is going to help a 10 year old write thank you notes? and she actually did a good job! The job would have been finished if moxy wasn't so lazy
-moxy taking shortcuts... didn't greg do the exact same things in one of the diary of a wimpy kid books? I think this book came out first though. Neither situation works out. More understandable for moxy since she's younger
-moxy is going to break the copier, right? a brand new copier is just too tempting
-ajax is an author? is that why he never watches the kids? just locks himself in a room to write?
-in my experience, sending out thank you notes is harder than actually writing them
-oh man... the number of copies... it would eventually stop though, right? how much paper can really be in there? or is it a big industrial one since he's an author? and paper flying? yeah, right. this isn't a cartoon. But seriously, is there no cancel button? or just open the paper drawer?
-moxy just doesn't know anything about cause and effect
-a 9 year old with spray paint? just use the sidewalk as a background. How does she get it on the walls?? no stencil?
-moxy pushes fixing the wall onto others. continues to push everything off.
-it's so nice to see mark comforting moxy. he hasn't really been in the books other than taking pictures. he talks her through who the real bad guy is and how life isn't up to moxy. mark seems so much older to be so mature
-We figured out who Moxy's father is
-If moxy's mom knows she doesn't do things that she doesn't want to do, why not sit down and help her?
-good way to discuss divorce and step kids without spending too much time on it
-wait... so moxy's last name was legally changed?
-a 5 year old is going to help a 10 year old write thank you notes? and she actually did a good job! The job would have been finished if moxy wasn't so lazy
-moxy taking shortcuts... didn't greg do the exact same things in one of the diary of a wimpy kid books? I think this book came out first though. Neither situation works out. More understandable for moxy since she's younger
-moxy is going to break the copier, right? a brand new copier is just too tempting
-ajax is an author? is that why he never watches the kids? just locks himself in a room to write?
-in my experience, sending out thank you notes is harder than actually writing them
-oh man... the number of copies... it would eventually stop though, right? how much paper can really be in there? or is it a big industrial one since he's an author? and paper flying? yeah, right. this isn't a cartoon. But seriously, is there no cancel button? or just open the paper drawer?
-moxy just doesn't know anything about cause and effect
-a 9 year old with spray paint? just use the sidewalk as a background. How does she get it on the walls?? no stencil?
-moxy pushes fixing the wall onto others. continues to push everything off.
-it's so nice to see mark comforting moxy. he hasn't really been in the books other than taking pictures. he talks her through who the real bad guy is and how life isn't up to moxy. mark seems so much older to be so mature
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
April 6, 2011Grade 3–5—Eager to avoid the procrastination problems that occurred in Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Stuart Little (Random, 2007), this resourceful protagonist has promised her mother that she'll finish her holiday thank-you notes by the day after Christmas. Part of the rush is due to the fact that she and her twin, Mark, have been invited to visit their father in California and to attend a Big New Year's Eve Star-Studded Hollywood Bash. Moxy is a year older, but not necessarily wiser, than in the first book, and finds plenty of activities to distract her from her task. As time grows short, she concocts a wild plan to get the notes done on time—one involving her stepfather's brand-new copy machine and a can of gold spray paint. Understandably, disaster ensues, and Moxy must face the consequences, as well as handle some disappointing news. Through it all, the spunky heroine perseveres and even gains a new appreciation for her mother. This sequel continues in the same unusual format as the first book: humorous chapter titles, some chapters with little or no text, and photographs (purportedly taken by Mark). The short chapters, which jump from topic to topic just like Moxy's thoughts, help establish the frenetic mood. Give this to students who are fans of the first book (though it stands on its own) or those who enjoy stories of spirited girls like Sara Pennypacker's Clementine (Hyperion).—Jackie Partch, Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR
August 12, 2008
Moxy returns in splendid style in this second book. This time she is stuck writing twelve thank-you notes after Christmas. She has to have them done by today, or her mother has threatened her with not going to see her father in California. And Moxy knows that if she goes to California, she will be discovered and become famous. As the time ticks by despite Moxy's best intentions, her ideas for finishing the thank-you's get more and more wild. Expect hilarity and slapstick galore.
Moxy is a fabulously real heroine, who wrestles with the insurmountable problems of childhood. Her wild antics are reminiscent of Homer Price and the doughnut machine. While it is very funny, the book does not veer too far in that direction, staying based in real life and having real moments of sadness and realization. A pitch-perfect balance is struck by Gifford in this book. The photographs that illustrate the book add to the grounding in reality as well as the funny moments. Their perfect timing is part of the charm of this series.
Highly recommended for 8-10 year olds, these books have covers that will keep them moving off of library shelves. They are great fun to read aloud, and this would make a perfect class read aloud around holiday time. I can't wait to see what Moxy is up to next!
Moxy is a fabulously real heroine, who wrestles with the insurmountable problems of childhood. Her wild antics are reminiscent of Homer Price and the doughnut machine. While it is very funny, the book does not veer too far in that direction, staying based in real life and having real moments of sadness and realization. A pitch-perfect balance is struck by Gifford in this book. The photographs that illustrate the book add to the grounding in reality as well as the funny moments. Their perfect timing is part of the charm of this series.
Highly recommended for 8-10 year olds, these books have covers that will keep them moving off of library shelves. They are great fun to read aloud, and this would make a perfect class read aloud around holiday time. I can't wait to see what Moxy is up to next!
October 7, 2008
I was a big fan of Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Stuart Little. Maybe because I'm not that big a fan of his, either, or maybe because I always hated being told what I had to read when. Either way, Moxy cracked me up and I was really looking forward to this sequel.
Bummer. This time around, I found Moxy to be completely annoying and in dire need of a good spanking. It's only 12 thank you notes, for corn's sake. Just write 'em and get it over with, brat!
In her debut, Moxy's disobedience was manifest as she drifted from one avoidance tactic to the next in a perfectly logical (for a 9-year-old) way. Yes, she really just needed to sit down and read, but I understood her feelings--I genuinely did. This time around, however, it didn't work for me. The things she did here were downright b-a-d. And stupid. Oh, soooo stupid. Spray painting the front of a thank-you note? Really? Even a 9-year-old isn't that stupid, and especially not Moxy. She established herself as a pretty savvy chick in the original, but here she comes off as a huge discipline problem you would never want in your classroom.
I just didn't like her in this book, and that's sad, because I liked her so much in the first one. Big disappointment....
Bummer. This time around, I found Moxy to be completely annoying and in dire need of a good spanking. It's only 12 thank you notes, for corn's sake. Just write 'em and get it over with, brat!
In her debut, Moxy's disobedience was manifest as she drifted from one avoidance tactic to the next in a perfectly logical (for a 9-year-old) way. Yes, she really just needed to sit down and read, but I understood her feelings--I genuinely did. This time around, however, it didn't work for me. The things she did here were downright b-a-d. And stupid. Oh, soooo stupid. Spray painting the front of a thank-you note? Really? Even a 9-year-old isn't that stupid, and especially not Moxy. She established herself as a pretty savvy chick in the original, but here she comes off as a huge discipline problem you would never want in your classroom.
I just didn't like her in this book, and that's sad, because I liked her so much in the first one. Big disappointment....
November 3, 2016
This one really stretched the limits of credibility. I get that Moxy's mom is nice and wants to protect her feelings. But would she REALLY take the blame for Moxy's dad canceling Moxy and Mark's trip to Hollywood to visit him? I don't think so. How lucky that Mark overheard the conversation and could tell Moxy the truth.
I loved the photocopying of the thank you notes, and the hank you on the wall--hysterical! I like Moxy's misadventures, but, again, the whole idea of all of this stemming from procrastination kind of drives me a little bit crazy.
Also, the number of chapters titled, "In which Moxy Gets Mad at Her Mother," and then that start Moxy got mad at her mother (or whatever) was way overdone. That's funny once in a book. Maybe twice. But it drove me crazy.
Still, there were lots of really funny scenes. And lots of times Moxy felt very much like a real kid. I think Gifford does a great job of characterization. Moxy would drive me nuts in real life. But as a character, I like her. I just don't like that every book seems to be based on procrastination/trying to get out of things. That just annoys me...doesn't draw me into the book. Obviously, it's the hook for the whole series! I'm sure kids love this book--there is so much good stuff here!
I loved the photocopying of the thank you notes, and the hank you on the wall--hysterical! I like Moxy's misadventures, but, again, the whole idea of all of this stemming from procrastination kind of drives me a little bit crazy.
Also, the number of chapters titled, "In which Moxy Gets Mad at Her Mother," and then that start Moxy got mad at her mother (or whatever) was way overdone. That's funny once in a book. Maybe twice. But it drove me crazy.
Still, there were lots of really funny scenes. And lots of times Moxy felt very much like a real kid. I think Gifford does a great job of characterization. Moxy would drive me nuts in real life. But as a character, I like her. I just don't like that every book seems to be based on procrastination/trying to get out of things. That just annoys me...doesn't draw me into the book. Obviously, it's the hook for the whole series! I'm sure kids love this book--there is so much good stuff here!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 20, 2008
Moxy Maxwell had a great Christmas. She got lots of nice gifts and soon she and her brother Mark are going to Hollywood to spend a whole week with their dad! Moxy and Mark haven't seen him in three years, so Moxy is understandably looking forward to it. Not to mention her plans for being "discovered" and catapulting into superstardom while she's there.
There's only one problem with this plan. Mrs. Maxwell says that Moxy has to get her thank-you notes written before she leaves for California. Moxy has twelve thank-you notes to write. And it's not that she's not grateful. She is. It's just that it's so much work.
This sequel to Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Stuart Little goes a little deeper than the first book. We see more of Moxy and her family, including her unreliable father. As the book progresses we see that Moxy's dad has canceled on her Christmas visits the past two years. Mark is a little more realistic and tries to prepare himself for the disappointment that might come. But Moxy is totally counting on this visit, looking forward to it with all her might. And in the end we'll find that Moxy does have someone she can count on... but it might not be who she thinks.
There's only one problem with this plan. Mrs. Maxwell says that Moxy has to get her thank-you notes written before she leaves for California. Moxy has twelve thank-you notes to write. And it's not that she's not grateful. She is. It's just that it's so much work.
This sequel to Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Stuart Little goes a little deeper than the first book. We see more of Moxy and her family, including her unreliable father. As the book progresses we see that Moxy's dad has canceled on her Christmas visits the past two years. Mark is a little more realistic and tries to prepare himself for the disappointment that might come. But Moxy is totally counting on this visit, looking forward to it with all her might. And in the end we'll find that Moxy does have someone she can count on... but it might not be who she thinks.
January 27, 2016
Oh Moxy. We loved you in your first book and we were so happy to spend some time with you again. My eight year old daughter and I loved your wise-cracking nature and your crazy ideas. You're certainly a sympathetic character, what with all your mom demands of you (those darn thank you notes...), your silly little sister and kooky Grandma. Your antics had us laughing out loud, especially the copy machine episode. Your brother's photographs added excitment to the story and sometimes your chapter headings, which I'm sure you wrote yourself, made us laugh as much as the chapter itself. Thinking about your parent's divorce sometimes made us think for a while about how that might be hard for you and we loved how your story ended.
I hope we get to read more of you soon
Love,
The mom and her girl
I hope we get to read more of you soon
Love,
The mom and her girl
August 13, 2009
Gifford, Peggy Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Writing Thank-you Notes 176 pgs. Schwartz & Wade ~Language G, Sexual Content~G Violence~G
In her 2nd Moxy Maxwell novel, Gifford presents us with a girl who is bound and determined to get out of writing the 13 thank you notes for the Christmas presents she received. Her mother has given her an ultimatum. She must finish them all “today” or there will be consequences!
As readers familiar with Moxy will guess, she comes up with the most ‘creative’ ways to complete her task. Most of which involve poor choices on Moxy’s part. Hilarious at times, teeth grinding at others, this new Moxy book is definitely full to the brim with Moxie.
EL ADVISABLE Allison Madsen~Youth Services Librarian-SJO Public Librarian
In her 2nd Moxy Maxwell novel, Gifford presents us with a girl who is bound and determined to get out of writing the 13 thank you notes for the Christmas presents she received. Her mother has given her an ultimatum. She must finish them all “today” or there will be consequences!
As readers familiar with Moxy will guess, she comes up with the most ‘creative’ ways to complete her task. Most of which involve poor choices on Moxy’s part. Hilarious at times, teeth grinding at others, this new Moxy book is definitely full to the brim with Moxie.
EL ADVISABLE Allison Madsen~Youth Services Librarian-SJO Public Librarian
Read
April 16, 2010 Her dad and mom broke up and the dad lives in a another state. She lives with her mom and she has a younger brother. Last year at Chirstmas she did not finish her thank you cards,so she told her mom that she will finish them this year.
A year later it was Chirstmas.While her mom was going to go to the grocery store, Moxy wanted to come but her mom said no because she had to finish her thank you cards.
By the way these are new cards she did not have to finish them last year. While her mom was out she thought of somithing,she thought since there is a copy machine way not use it for my thank you cards? So she decided to use it when she new she was not alowed to. Now she is BIG trouble!!!
A year later it was Chirstmas.While her mom was going to go to the grocery store, Moxy wanted to come but her mom said no because she had to finish her thank you cards.
By the way these are new cards she did not have to finish them last year. While her mom was out she thought of somithing,she thought since there is a copy machine way not use it for my thank you cards? So she decided to use it when she new she was not alowed to. Now she is BIG trouble!!!
October 25, 2010
OK -- so we read the 1st book on the way down to the BYU v. Florida State game. (We lost bad, but it was still fun. I think going to the BYU games is one of the things we miss most about living in Provo.) Anyway -- we read the 2nd book out loud on the drive back to Georgia. We thought the 1st book was good and this book was even better and more hilarious. (This also could've been because we weren't sleeping that great -- due to hotel beds, but more due to the fact that we were all in the same room). Things seem funnier when you have less sleep.
Again -- same concept -- it's after Christmas and Moxy, the 9 year old girl, has to write Thank You notes -- kid drama! It has a very heart felt ending -- love those Moms that take one for the team! This one was our favorite of the 3 Moxy books.
Again -- same concept -- it's after Christmas and Moxy, the 9 year old girl, has to write Thank You notes -- kid drama! It has a very heart felt ending -- love those Moms that take one for the team! This one was our favorite of the 3 Moxy books.
September 14, 2013
Some other reviwers have commented that they liked the first Moxy Maxwell book much more than this. I agree that this book was less interesting for me, but it has made me wonder if it is just that your first Moxy Maxwell experience is unique enough to be above the subsequent books. I read Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Practicing the Piano first, and I enjoyed it so much! Maybe I was taken in by the hilarious one-of-a-kind quality of Moxy. One thing that I love about the books is that there is no need at all to read the books in order. This means that 3 students can be reading the three books in my classroom, and no one is compelled to wait for the first book to get started. All in all, I think the books fill a niche in my classroom library.
September 5, 2009
I heard about this series and although it was an interesting premise (basically anecdotes from one day-in-the-life of titular Moxy) I didn't really think it lived up to the hype. Although the story arc was believable, the light-hearted and breezy storytelling didn't match its gravity. (Moxy & brother end up being denied a trip to see their father, now divorced from their mother, b/c he has blown them off for a "big Hollywood opportunity.") I think that this writing style works best when the content is congruent with the concept.
This could be a great quick read for proficient readers in 3rd to 5th grades. After all, hasn't everyone had to learn about spraypaint the hard way?
This could be a great quick read for proficient readers in 3rd to 5th grades. After all, hasn't everyone had to learn about spraypaint the hard way?
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April 14, 2011Mostly I loved this one too, especially with the way it managed to keep the voice of the first book (with its humor and its realness) while touching on the deeper issue of the protagonist's absent dad.
I did feel like there was slightly less energy than in the first book--almost as if the style of the first had been polished and refined very slightly overmuch, and so something was lost along the way. Or maybe that was just that, having read the first book, this one was close enough to its structure that I already knew what to expect.
Nice ending, with the way it brought around both the family relationships arc and the thank-you-notes arc with a single act.
I did feel like there was slightly less energy than in the first book--almost as if the style of the first had been polished and refined very slightly overmuch, and so something was lost along the way. Or maybe that was just that, having read the first book, this one was close enough to its structure that I already knew what to expect.
Nice ending, with the way it brought around both the family relationships arc and the thank-you-notes arc with a single act.
September 3, 2008
Moxy, who never does anything the ordinary, sensible, or easy way, turns the writing of 13 thank-you notes into An Event that results in a broken La-Z-Boy, 473 identical form letters, and the letters "HANK YOU" spray-painted in gold on the living room wall (the "T" ends up on a 6-year-old boy) - and this all happens in about an hour or so. Good old Moxy.
Easy to read, with short chapters, funny chapter headings, plenty of white space, and appropriately kid-like photos taken by Moxy's twin brother Mark. Breezy fun for grades 2 to 4.
Easy to read, with short chapters, funny chapter headings, plenty of white space, and appropriately kid-like photos taken by Moxy's twin brother Mark. Breezy fun for grades 2 to 4.
March 24, 2009
I do enjoy Moxy Maxwell and her quirky updated Ramona personality, but prefer the first book. Am I over-reacting by having it bother me that Moxy aspires to be a Hollywood star that adopts 17 starving children, or that there is a shout out to Star/US Weekly/People magazine? I think most third/fourth graders, to whom this series is geared, won't get the reference and it feels unnecessary. I would prefer the series to be more timeless, as I do think overall the character of Moxy has vast kid appeal.
March 22, 2015
I thought this novel was a good book to give to readers who need a little extra help. I think young readers, girls especially, would enjoy this book. This novel is very true to life and the way it is written is definitely from the perspective of a child. I think that young girls could relate to it and enjoy it. I also really loved how photographs were included in the story to help move it along and give you a visual of what was going on. I think this was an easy enough read for students who are just beginning to start reading chapter books.
September 17, 2008
This sequel to Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Stuart Little is not nearly as fun and doesn't really work as well. It's sad...deals with divorce in a poignant way...made my stomach clench up almost the whole book because MOXY COULD GET IN TROUBLE! As the former child filled with fear of punishment, all these child protagonists who don't follow the rules just make me soooo nervous and this was one of the worst. Judge for yourselves.
April 27, 2009
In this sequel of Moxy Maxwell, she has to write 12 thank-you notes by December 26th in order to visit her father in Hollywood. But leave it to Moxy to take a simple task and turn it into a chaotic result. A very creative character.
I must admit that I loved the first book, "Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Stuart Little". I would definitely read that one first before this sequel. This book just didn't grab me in like the first one.
I must admit that I loved the first book, "Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Stuart Little". I would definitely read that one first before this sequel. This book just didn't grab me in like the first one.
August 17, 2009
Moxy's mother is a saint. Moxy Maxwell won't read her book assignment (previous title in the series) and now won't write 12 thank you notes. Honestly, Moxy is a really irritating kid and she's hard to like. The books are well written and each character feels real but honestly, just write the freakin' notes and move on! Geez. Like I said, Moxy's mother is a saint to not totally lose her cool with her.
October 29, 2009
Ten-year-old Moxy Maxwell has promised to write twelve thank-you notes by the day after Christmas so that she and her twin brother Mark can go to Hollywood to visit their father, but all her brilliant ideas to help finish the task more efficiently end up creating chaos in the house.
I'm trying really hard to like the character of Moxy but I can't. She seems so selfish and kind of a bully. The ending redeemed her character, but for the majority of the book I really didn't like her.
I'm trying really hard to like the character of Moxy but I can't. She seems so selfish and kind of a bully. The ending redeemed her character, but for the majority of the book I really didn't like her.
August 8, 2008
Not quite as clever as the first one, but using the same format & techniques (short chapters, b&w photos as illustrations). This time Moxy has promised to write 12 thank you notes by the day after xmas so that she can go visit her father in Hollywood. She procrastinates and causes chaos and learns a lesson in the end.
August 18, 2008
Okay another Moxy book. Fast humorous story only this time ten year old Moxy is doing everything possible to not have to write one more thank you note before going to Hollywood to visit her Dad over Christmas break!! She even turns down gifts!!! Through all her escapades and her feeling her mother is unfair to her she writes probably one of the best notes of her life though. I loved this book!!
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