Book of the Week - Judy Moody

Judy Moody by Megan McDonald

There is this tricky bit when writing books for intermediate readers. Judy Moody is eight-years-old. If we are to assume that the average child reader wants to read a book about children older than themselves, then this books is aimed at 6-8 year-olds. Yet, there are many big words in this books, words that set this book apart as a story for advanced readers of this age group. Average words for a second grader are words like might, cry, flew, and maybe. McDonald pushes further using words like memorizing, armadillo, invitation, collage, and unscrunched. The author is challenging her readers, taking them many steps past Magic Tree House and the A-Z Mysteries. By creating a book aimed at younger readers, but expecting them to read at a higher level, McDonald makes a book that is far more engaging and in-depth than much of the literature written for this age group.