Judy Moody, Mood Martian (Book #12)



Last updated Monday, February 1, 2016

Author: Megan McDonald
Date of Publication: 2014
ISBN: 076366698X
Grade Level: 3rd    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Feb. 2016

Synopsis: Will the real Judy Moody please stand up? In honor of Backwards Day, Judy Moody decides to turn that frown upside down, make lemonade out of lemons, and be nice to stinky little brothers. In fact, Judy becomes a NOT moody, cool-as-a-cucumber neat freak for one whole entire day. But when her combed hair, matching outfits, and good moods hang around for days after, her friends begin to worry. Could this smiley Judy be an imposter?

Note to readers:
•  .Vocabulary:
•  Sasquatch--aka bigfoot, a giant, hairy man rumored to live in the Pacific Northwest/Canadian mountains
•  Antarctica--a continent in the South Pole
•  skein--a length of thread or yarn, loosely coiled and knotted
•  palindrome--words or phrases that read the same backward as forward

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  What gets you in a bad mood?
•  What gets you out of a bad mood?
•  Does Valentine's Day put you in a good mood or bad mood? Why?

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  What do you do if someone is in a bad mood?
•  Mr. Todd punishes his students by sending them to "Antarctica". Why does he choose there?
•  If you had a backwards day, what would you wear?

Craft ideas:
•  Make a Valentine's Day card for someone important.
•  Make a sign for your bedroom door showing what mood you are in.
•  Check out our February craft ideas on Pinterest! https://www.pinterest.com/readingtokids/february-2016-crafts/

Special activities:
•  Cut out the alphabet and make palindrome words or phrases (words or phrases that read the same backward as forward) or think of other palindrome words or phrases. Examples of palindrome words or phrases are "eye", racecar", "a man, a plan, a canal, panama."

*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions. You can use them, but you don't have to use them. You can expand upon them, or add your own twist. Remember, though, that the focus of your time should not be on the development and execution of a craft; the focus should be on the read-aloud and the enjoyment of the book!