Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Writing Thank-you Notes

August 1, 2008
Gr 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 timeone 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"

Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2008
Ten-year-old Moxy, a champion procrastinator who put off her summer reading in Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Stuart Little (2007), here avoids the chore of writing thank-you notes. While laugh-aloud funny in places and blink-back-the-tears sad in others, the books humor and pathos may appeal more to adults than to kids. Still, all will enjoy the storys fresh narration and flawed heroine. And the good-size type, generous line spacing, short chapters, and use of photos will please other procrastinators looking for a read that is at least 150 pages long and doesnt look babyish.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2009
Her mother warns that unless Moxy finishes her Christmas thank-you notes before visiting her father in LA, there will be "consequences." Moxy pursues her typical rounds of procrastination, daydreaming, and scheming, and mayhem eventually ensues. Amusing photographs (putatively taken by Moxy's twin brother) enhance many of the funniest moments, and playful chapter titles foreshadow upcoming mini-disasters.

(Copyright 2009 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

September 1, 2008
Moxy Maxwell's mother warns her that unless she finishes writing all twelve of her Christmas thank-you notes before traveling to Los Angeles to visit her big-shot Hollywood mover-and-shaker father, there will be "consequences." Moxy, a cross between Walter Mitty and Lucy Ricardo for the beginning-chapter-book set, pursues her typical rounds of procrastination, daydreaming, and scheming, assisted by her entourage: her five-year-old sister, Pansy, and her Moxy-worshiping neighbor, Sam. Mayhem eventually ensues, some of which results in an out-of-control photocopier, a broken La-Z-Boy chair, and accidental living room vandalism with forbidden gold spray paint. As with the first book in the series, Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Stuart Little (rev. 9/07), amusing photographs (taken in the story by Moxy's twin brother Mark) accompany the writing and enhance many of the funniest moments, and playful chapter titles foreshadow upcoming mini-disasters. There are a few developments: stepfather Ajax, who was more of a background presence in the original, is given a more prominent role, and the plot touches upon such noncomedic subjects as absentee parents and blended families. In the end, while not fully reformed, Moxy gives an indication that she is making some progress, although not too much: readers can expect to delight in her future grandiose schemes and reveries.

(Copyright 2008 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)