Judy Moody Goes to College

Category: Early Chapter Books

McDonald, Megan. Judy Moody Goes to College. Illus. by Peter H. Reynolds. 129pp.  (Judy Moody Series). Glossary. Candlewick Press. 2008. ISBN 978-0-7636-4322-5.

Exasperated at the idea of needing a math tutor, Judy’s attitude turns into a bad-i-tude! When a substitute teacher advises Judy to improve her math skills, she pleads for mercy until she discovers her new tutor is Chloe, a college student. Meeting in the college math lab, Chloe creates new and exciting ways for math to come alive. Judy quickly changes her mindset about math and looks up to Chloe as a role model in everything from fashion to speech patterns. She is exuberant about her college experience, but soon discovers that her new radical college attitude is driving her friends away in the third grade. Can she maintain passion about college and math without being isolated at school? Written in a spirited style, the author conveys an entertaining tale filled with attitude. From glad-i-tude to bad-i-tude, Judy entices the reader to follow her college escapades and learn lessons about life and friendships along-side the characters. Filled with delightful pen and ink drawings, Judy’s emotions are etched on the pages, bringing the story to life. A short glossary is included in the back of the book, defining college terms Judy learns like “geck,” “old skool,” and “let’s food.” Printed in large, evenly spaced font that will not overwhelm a young student, this story will captivate advanced second or third graders who are ready to read chapter books on their own.