Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Writing Thank-You Notes by Peggy Gifford.

Moxy returns in splendid style in this second book.  This time she is stuck writing twelve thank-you notes after Christmas.  She has to have them done by today, or her mother has threatened her with not going to see her father in California.  And Moxy knows that if she goes to California, she will be discovered and become famous.   As the time ticks by despite Moxy’s best intentions, her ideas for finishing the thank-you’s get more and more wild.  Expect hilarity and slapstick galore.

Moxy is a fabulously real heroine, who wrestles with the insurmountable problems of childhood.  Her wild antics are reminiscent of  Homer Price and the doughnut machine.  While it is very funny, the book does not veer too far in that direction, staying based in real life and having real moments of sadness and realization.  A pitch-perfect balance is struck by Gifford in this book.  The photographs that illustrate the book add to the grounding in reality as well as the funny moments.  Their perfect timing is part of the charm of this series.

Highly recommended for 8-10 year olds, these books have covers that will keep them moving off of library shelves.  They are great fun to read aloud, and this would make a perfect class read aloud around holiday time.  I can’t wait to see what Moxy is up to next!