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Judy Moody & Stink #4

The Wishbone Wish

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“The latest installment in the Judy Moody and Stink series has the trademark humor and grade-school sensibility that its fans enjoy.” — Booklist

The town’s annual Turkey Trot race and festival is coming up, and Judy and Stink are training to win the big prize: a fat, juicy turkey. But what if they don’t win? What then? Flying turkey gizzards! Will the Moody family end up starving on T-day, like ye pilgrims of olde, or will Grandma Lou cook up a tasty Franksgiving solution? Find out in this full-color Moody adventure.

129 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 8, 2015

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About the author

Megan McDonald

317 books748 followers
"Sometimes I think I am Judy Moody," says Megan McDonald, author of the Judy Moody series, the Stink series, and THE SISTERS CLUB. "I'm certainly moody, like she is. Judy has a strong voice and always speaks up for herself. I like that."

For Megan McDonald, being able to speak up for herself wasn't always easy. She grew up as the youngest of five sisters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Her father, an ironworker, was known to his coworkers as "Little Johnny the Storyteller." Every evening at dinner the McDonalds would gather to talk and tell stories, but Megan McDonald was barely able to get a word in edgewise. "I'm told I began to stutter," she says, leading her mother to give her a notebook so she could start "writing things down."


Critically acclaimed, the Judy Moody books have won numerous awards, ranging from a PUBLISHERS WEEKLY Best Book of the Year to an International Reading Association Children's Choice. "Judy has taken on a life of her own," the author notes, with nearly 3 million Judy Moody books in print. Interestingly, the feisty third-grader is highly popular with boys and girls, making for a strong base of fans who are among Megan McDonald's strongest incentives to keep writing, along with "too many ideas and a little chocolate." And now -- by popular demand -- Judy Moody's little brother, Stink, gets his chance to star in his own adventures! Beginning with STINK: THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING KID, three more stories, and his own encyclopedia, STINK-O-PEDIA, Stink's special style comes through loud and strong -- enhanced by a series of comic strips, drawn by Stink himself, which are sprinkled throughout the first book. About the need for a book all about Stink, Megan McDonald says, "Once, while I was visiting a class full of Judy Moody readers, the kids, many with spiked hair à la Judy's little brother, chanted, 'Stink! Stink! Stink! Stink! Stink!' as I entered the room. In that moment, I knew that Stink had to have a book all his own."


More recently, Megan McDonald has recalled some of her own childhood with the warmth, humor -- and squabbles -- of three spunky sisters in THE SISTERS CLUB.


Megan McDonald and her husband live in Sebastopol, California, with two dogs, two adopted horses, and fifteen wild turkeys that like to hang out on their back porch.

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5 stars
184 (44%)
4 stars
122 (29%)
3 stars
90 (21%)
2 stars
13 (3%)
1 star
2 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
Profile Image for Darla.
5,038 reviews1,314 followers
November 29, 2024
Sharing this read with J during Thanksgiving week was amazing! While Judy Moody & Stink are entertaining as ever, there are also some really great facts about Sarah Josepha Hale. J was also a big fan of the colorful illustrations by Peter H. Reynolds.

We compared favorite chapters when we finished our read this morning. J's favorite was "Mary Had a Little Piggy" with Judy Moody finally getting her chance to run the Turkey Trot and surprising things happen on the way to the finish line. Will she win that turkey? It is waiting in the Coola.

My favorite chapter was called "The First Thanksgiving." While they had the first celebration in 1621 in their minds, that dinner at Grandma Lou's is a first thanksgiving in another way.

I'll close this review with a Sarah Josepha Hale fact:Next time you swing on a swing or slide down a slide, you can thank Sarah J. She was the one who came up with the idea of playgrounds for kids.
Profile Image for PARIA.
56 reviews
Read
June 3, 2022
همچنان عالی و دوستداشتنی...انقد فضای این کتاب و کلا کتابای دنیای جودی لطیف و قشنگ و دوستداشتنیه که آدم واقعا آرزو میکنه بتونه توشون زندگی کنه :)
12 reviews1 follower
Read
December 4, 2017
This book takes place on Thansgiving and two people dress up in costumes for a costume competition. Judy Moody was dressed like Sarah Josefa Hail and Stink was dressed up as an Astronaut. They try to win the competition, but they did not. Stink went to a competition call the stumblers and Judy Moody went to the turkey trot. Judy Moody did not win, but stink won and he got a bag of stuffing. They went to Grandma Lou's house for Thanksgiving dinner together and they all ate Turkey, Stuffing, Green beans, pie, and lots of other things.
Profile Image for Mehsi.
15.6k reviews462 followers
February 23, 2017
The last, and also the least liked, book that I have from this series.

On the one hand I am glad I read this one last, no disappointment or worries that I might also not like the rest of the books, but on the other hand it sucks for it to end this way.

My biggest problem was both characters and again their stupid arguments. There was a bit of the book with them arguing. Of course eventually mom intervened and stuff started to get better, but really, was it that needed? Even later they started up again. Urgh.....

Plus I also was pissed with Stink and how he did that relay race. How he knew how much it meant for his sister but then just dived face first into jell-o because he couldn't resist. I just hated that part so much. If they had lost by way of normal losing, that is sad, but now I just wanted to kick Stink. I am already not a big fan of him, and this sort of thing doesn't make me a bigger fan.

The turkey thing was also a disappointment. :| They really didn't think that one through at the school. Give away a turkey like that, really, when do you want people to eat it then? :|

I also felt sorry for Judy for what happened to her project. Stupid Stink.

There were some fun parts. For instance big parts of the race, a bit of the training, when they were finally acting like sweet siblings, the grandma parts.

The illustrations are great, I quite like the style. Just a shame that I can't see them in colour.

All in all, I am very happy that I found these books and that I tried reading them. Three out of four books were great, just a shame of this one.

Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
Profile Image for Steven R. McEvoy.
3,932 reviews184 followers
February 26, 2016
I am surprised that after 30 books Stink and Judy Moody still entertain! I found these books a few years back and now read them with all three of my children. They entertain and surprise. Now there are over 35 books between the different series that include Judy Moody and Stink Moody. Some of the books that focus more on one or the other of them the best books are the four series are when they are featured together. My kids love the full colour illustrations by Peter H Reynolds and in part because Jody and Stink are just seem better when together. The first two cross over book The Holly Joliday focused on the holiday of Christmas, the second cross over book focused on family vacation and The Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Mad Treasure Hunt. The third is on the event of The Big Bad Black. And now this one focuses back on a holiday, the holiday of Thanksgiving! The chapters in this book are:

Wishbone Wishes
Bossy McBossy
Peace Treaty
Flying Turkey Gizzards
Mary Had a Little Piggy
Freaky Frozen Football
The First Thanksgiving

Judy and Stink plan on winning a number of events at the Turkey day challenges. Judy is so confident she will win she tells her Grandmother not to buy a backup turkey. They train, they practice and they compete.

So come and join the Moody's in a Thanksgiving like you have never experienced before!

Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by McDonald and Reynolds.
Profile Image for Anthony.
7,432 reviews33 followers
April 28, 2018
This adventure with Judy and Stink is filled with Thanksgiving facts and trivia, time-outs, and peace treaties. Judy prepares to win a turkey at the town's annual Turkey Trot and parade, and dresses up as Sarah Josepha Hale to win the best costume, but everyone just thinks she dressed as a pilgrim. The race is on, but is interrupted by a surprise runner. The family visits Grandma Lou for Thanksgiving, and enjoys the celebration.
5 reviews3 followers
April 2, 2019
I read Judy Moody & Stink The Wishbone Wish by Megan McDonald.

Judy Moody and Stink were training for a race at their school. Right now they are at their house. Stink doesn't like being bossed around by Judy. When Judy starts the race, she is in last! But she wants the turkey prize, so she runs so fast she wins! When she gets the turkey it is so cold, if they let it thaw and cook, Thanksgiving dinner would be at midnight! What will Judy do?

I liked the book. It helped me see the good things in life and the bad things in life, there is more than one way to solve a problem, and lastly, you can turn bad things into good things.

I recommend this book to second and third graders who like action packed and surprising books. If you are like that, this book would be perfect for you!
Profile Image for valeri.
62 reviews3 followers
August 15, 2022
I already had read one book 📖 from this saga and now this one too, although I didn't like it like the other one, I did enjoy it and I also identify with Judy💗.

I really liked seeing all the effort she put into her training to win at the Pavolympics🏆 and that her costume and acorn project were very original :D.

Plus I learned about Sara Josepha Hale 💌 and all her perseverance that ended up in one of the best parties of the year!
Happy Franksgiving!!! 🍂🦃
Profile Image for Jessica.
5,370 reviews5 followers
June 17, 2025
This one was much more family friendly than the last one! Stink and Judy work together to get ready for the turkey competitions on Thanksgiving, a costume contest, a partner race, and an individual race. But was it really a good idea to tell Grandma Lou not to get a back up turkey? I enjoyed reading this one with my daughter.
4 reviews
September 30, 2018
A girl named Judy E.moody who tries to win the TTT(turkey trot time)race. But while she is doing the race a pig comes in the way! Judy Moody runs for the lead and catch's the piggy. Mr.Todd(their teacher) gives Judy's family a frozen, juicy turkey.
298 reviews
November 20, 2018
Fun book to read with kids around Thanksgiving. Siblings can relate to the back and forth banter between Judy and her brother, Stink. The turkey trot and going to grandma Lou's was relevant and entertaining (kids loved the turkey puns). And I appreciated the smattering of Thanksgiving facts.
Profile Image for Ivy.
1,052 reviews
November 28, 2019
A perennial favorite among my kids. We always do the relays as a reward activity. The voice in these books is excellent. It is a quick easy read that delves into the historical aspects of Thanksgiving beyond the pilgrims and Native americans.
239 reviews
February 2, 2021
TURKEY TROT yo. frozen football they didnt get the turkey well they did but they didnt get to eat it looked like frozen football and they didnt get to eat it because it would take so long to cook it.

(Noah typed himself)
36 reviews
October 19, 2017
I thought the book was pretty good but a little confusing.
Profile Image for WKPL Children's/YA Books.
407 reviews10 followers
November 27, 2018
Miss Jen read this book and LOVED it! Read it to a 1st grader who laughed through the entire book and got him really excited for Thanksgiving and to make a wish on the wishbone!
Profile Image for Eli Hinkle.
15 reviews
January 7, 2022
I read this book a longggg time ago and remember that it was not to great of a book.
Profile Image for Sherry Scheline.
1,784 reviews5 followers
November 11, 2022
I love stink and Judy moody. I love a failed family Thanksgiving made good as well. I also loved learneing about Thanksgiving/.
Profile Image for Andri Efstathiou.
37 reviews
May 11, 2024
Όπως όλα τα βιβλία της σειράς, πολύ ωραίο.
Profile Image for AMY.
2,888 reviews
March 19, 2017
112 pages. Good basic story with chapters and lots of funny action going on. Good story for Thanksgiving. Recommended Gr. 3-4.
Profile Image for Jessica.
1,663 reviews1 follower
April 6, 2017
Cute. Liked the interaction between Stink and Judy in this one Bc they often don't get along at all in the books, but they did in this one. Bought it to read with my kids at Thanksgiving, but it got lost in the pile (maybe we have a book addiction, ok?!). They still enjoyed it and giggled. The illustrations and chapter names definitely make it better.
Profile Image for F4 and F3/4.
8 reviews
September 10, 2016
I read the book the Wishbone Wish. It was about a girl named Judy moody who was getting ready to go to a thanksgiving festival in her school called the turkey trot. In the turkey trot the activities are the peewee races,the cranberry crawl and gobblers -a-go-go. Judy has a brother named stink. Judy was dressed as sarah Joseph Hale the person who made thanksgiving. If she didn't mail the president Abraham Lincoln (who was the person who agreed only)a note then there would be no thanksgiving. Her brother was dressed up as an astronaut because he wanted to. Judy's classmate Frank was dressed up as frankeinstain and her friend Rocky was dressed as a big slime bob. There were a lot of people dressed as Sarah Joseph Hale. I rate this book 5 out of5 stars. By: Zaina.
67 reviews1 follower
February 13, 2017
I think it is kind of funny how Stink once wished to win the wishbone wish.
Profile Image for Hilary.
2,325 reviews51 followers
November 14, 2015
Although Stink has reservations, Judy is determined that they will win the town’s Turkey Trot race and the grand prize turkey, too! Judy tells her grandmother NOT to purchase a turkey then launches a training regimen to prepare for the race. Judy and Stink balance Jell-o on a spoon, eat a diet of healthy food, and practice, practice, practice! The outcome is not precisely what Judy planned, but everyone pitches in to make the holiday a success.

McDonald always works some history into her books. This time the focus is on Sarah Hale, the 19th century American schoolteacher who composed “Mary Had a Little Lamb.”

Judy Moody books are popular with early readers as well as struggling readers. The full-color illustrations are appealing. Fans of Judy Moody will welcome this holiday volume. Libraries and classroom teachers will be happy to include an engaging volume to collections of holiday literature, especially one for Thanksgiving.
Profile Image for Stephanie Tournas.
2,814 reviews41 followers
November 14, 2015
Judy is sure she can win the Turkey Trot race at her school on Thanksgiving this year. And she is very proud of her costume of Sarah Josepha Hale, who, in 1863, was successful in her life-long goal effort to make Thanksgiving a national holiday. Judy's brother Stink agrees to help by running with Judy in the Triple Fun Relay, but, as with any siblings activity, there are complications, which result in time-outs, sneaky spying, and a peace treaty. Facts about the Thanksgiving holiday and Hale are sprinkled among the antics of Judy and her friends. A warm and happy family Thanksgiving feast, with some Judy Moody silliness included, wraps up the story.

Peter H. Reynolds's wonderful digital illustrations are in color and add the to the joyful atmosphere of the story.

Not much mention is made of the Wampanoag side of things.
Profile Image for Teresa Reads.
667 reviews5 followers
October 9, 2015
As a librarian, I am always excited to find a new Thanksgiving book because they are so rare. In "The Wishbone Wish", Megan McDonald keeps the fun of her Judy Moody & Stink books while adding a dash of history. It's a perfect mix. Judy has never been able to attend the town's Thanksgiving Festival because she is always visiting her grandmother on festival day. This year her parents work it out so she can have her wish. She has been training for weeks to win the Turkey Trot race. If she wins the race, she'll bring home the turkey. She persuades Stink to join in her in the various competitions. Things don't turn out quite how Judy had hoped but a pig saves the day. In the end, they all learn that fun traditions and family love are the best parts of any holiday.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews