Title: Judy Moody: Around the World in 8 ½ Days
Author: Megan McDonald
Illustrator: Peter H Reynolds
Genre: Transitional Chapter
Theme(s): Friendship
Brief Book Summary:
Judy Moody meets Amy Namey, and at first they don’t seem to get along too well. Gradually, Judy realizes that she has much in common with Amy, and starts hitting it off with her, even choosing to go to her club over her friends’ club. This leaves some of her older friends feeling left out, and they decide to stop talking to Judy completely. Judy learns much about making new friends and making time for old, eventually making up with her old friends while keeping her new one as well.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1:
Carrie Hane Hung (Children's Literature)
Enter Amy, new girl in school, and suddenly Judy no longer feels unique as her friends, Rocky and Frank, comment on the similarities between the two girls. Although she is a bit resentful and hesitant at first, Judy Moody begins her friendship with Amy Namey because of their common interest in ABC (after been chewed) gum and their rhyming names. Amy invites Judy to join the My-Name-Is-a-Poem Club where members with rhyming names write to each other. As Judy and Amy s friendship grows, the old friendships become neglected. On Saturday, Judy opts not to join her friends at the Furs & Fangs pet store racing event in the morning. Instead she goes to Amy s house where the girls write postcards to members of the My-Name-Is-a-Poem Club and make chewing gum. Time passes by quickly and unfortunately, Judy forgets her scheduled afternoon meeting with Rocky, Frank, and Jessica to work on their class project about Italy, a part of the geography course, Around the World in 8 Days. A rift between Judy and her friends about the Italy project develops, seriously affecting their presentation. The teacher, Mr. Todd, gives the group the opportunity to work out their conflict, and the presentation is extended a day. Judy deals with making new friends and keeping the old friends in this fun and light story, which is a part of the Judy Moody series.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2:
Deborah Mervold and Kira Gerein (CM Magazine, September 28, 2012 (Vol. XIX, No. 4))
A new character has been added to the series. Amy Namey is confident and in the school's other Grade 3 class. Judy discovers that Amy has been to Bubble Gum Alley and that the two share a common interest in ABC gum collections. ABC stands for already been chewed. However, with the addition of Amy, Judy no longer feels unique and original; she feels like a clone. Judy changes Amy from an enemy into a friend when Amy invites Judy to join the rhyming name club with official name badges. Amy likes Nellie Bly, the famous reporter, just like Judy likes Elizabeth Blackwell, the famous doctor. Amy is invited to their Grade 3 class to tell the students about Nellie's race around the world. The students are then informed that they are going to do a group project with each group selecting a country similar to Nellie's route, and they have criteria which they research and then present to their class. Judy's group of her two friends, Frank and Rocky, plus Jessica, a girl in their class, get off to a great start but then runs into trouble when Judy's relationship with her new friend interrupts their group work time. The students learn what it means to work together and how to be successful and complete their project, although not how it was originally intended. The language provides colour and humour to the story. The 12 chapters have titles which add humour as well as develop the plot, with some examples being " Rhyme Time" , "Nellie Bly Says Goodbye" and "No-Talky Rocky vs Judy Snooty" . There is a "Who's Who" page at the beginning of the book with a picture of each character and a comment by Judy. This character gallery adds interest and humour to the text as do the pen and ink illustrations by Peter H. Reynolds. Although Judy Moody Around the World in 8½ Daysis a part of a series, this book also stands alone. The author includes pages about the author and illustrator at the end of the book, titled " Ten things you might not know about the author and illustrator" . Reference to a Judy Moody website is included. Judy Moody Around theWorld in 8½ Days would appeal to a variety of readers, including readers of humour, and realistic fiction. This book would be an excellent class novel for individual reading or as a read aloud choice. It would be an excellent addition for personal, class, school and public libraries.
Response to Two Professional Reviews:
The second review states that this is a book in a series, but that also stands alone and I would have to agree. I have never read anything else from this series, but I found that this book was very enjoyable. I agree with the reviews and think that the book established a sense of humor and lightness throughout the book, which made the reading all the more enjoyable. I think any child – who is able to read at this level – would enjoy this book thoroughly.
Evaluation of Literary Elements:
The theme throughout the book is pertinent, especially for the younger children reading this book. The lesson of friendships, how they change, and how to maintain them is important for children to learn about. I know I had many different friendships that were always changing and I could have benefited from reading a book like this.
The use of illustrations throughout the book also adds an aspect of fun. I felt that the illustrations were simple, and didn’t take away from the story but added another dimension, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
Consideration of Instructional Application:
I think one thing you could use this book for is to introduce the topic of studying places around the world. The children would see this activity in the book and then could try it on their own. In addition to this, I think I could use the book to start a conversation about friendship and how Judy could have handled both her new friends as well as her old to avoid conflict completely. I could have the children write their own versions where Judy was able to balance her time and keep her friends happy.