Judy Moody Was in a Mood. Not a Good Mood. A Bad Mood.

“She wore her tiger-striped pajama pants on the bottom and a plain old no-words T-shirt on top. ‘She’s wearing pajamas!’ said her brother, Stink, when she came downstairs. ‘You can’t wear pajamas to school!’ Stink thought he knew everything now that he was starting second grade. Judy glared at him with one of her famous troll-eyes stares.”

Judy struggles to put together an outfit for her first day of third grade, knowing that many children will wear special t-shirts they bought on vacation. Stink’s exuberant reaction to her pajamas adds to The Ups and Downs of Siblinghood. Judy and Stink’s bickering introduces the challenging aspects of their relationship that Judy will have to learn to navigate.

“Guess Who sat across the aisle from her. Frank Eats-Paste Pearl. He glanced at Judy sideways, then bent his thumb all the way back, touching his wrist. […] Ever since they had danced the Maypole together in kindergarten, this boy would not leave her alone.”

Judy is disappointed with her new desk-mate, Frank Pearl, who she has always found strange and annoying. This passage establishes Frank as a difficulty in Judy’s life, adding to the author’s exploration of Navigating School and Relationships. By establishing Frank as an unwelcome classmate, evident in her describing him based on a mean-spirited nickname (“Frank Eats-Paste Pearl”), the author sets the scene for Judy to become more open-minded as she learns more about Frank and his interests beyond rumors.

“All through Language Arts and Social Studies, Judy thought about one thing—herself. Judy Moody, star of her own Me Collage. Maybe third grade wasn’t so bad after all.”

Judy is surprised to find that she is excited about Mr. Todd’s first assignment to the class, a “Me Collage” about themselves. This quotation shows that Judy is learning to become more patient and open-minded and reconsider her first impressions of people and situations. She declares that perhaps third grade isn’t “so bad after all.

“‘Are you in a bad mood today?’ asked Mr. Todd. ‘ROAR,’ said Judy Moody. ‘That’s too bad,’ said Mr. Todd. ‘I was just about to ask who wants to go down to the office and pick up the pizza. It’s a welcome-back surprise.’ […] ‘Me!’ yelled Judy.”

Judy uses her typical grumpy response when Mr. Todd notices her bad mood. By revealing Judy’s moody behavior, this quotation develops learning to manage emotions. By being rude to Mr. Todd but still expecting him to choose her for the task, this passage shows that Judy struggles to manage her feelings but still wants to have class privileges.

“‘Hello? Judy? Are you allowed to come to my party?’ a voice asked. A Frank Pearl voice. It had only been two days since he gave her the invitation. ‘Wrong number,’ said Judy, hanging up.”

Judy’s rude response to Frank Pearl shows that she is completely close-minded about being friends with him and treats him unkindly. This quotation highlights navigating school and relationships by showing how Judy struggles to articulate her feelings and keep an open mind about others.

“‘Band-aids are boring,’ said Stink. ‘Besides, you have ten million. Dad says we have more Band-Aids in our bathroom than the Red Cross.’ ‘But I want to be a doctor,’ said Judy. ‘Like Elizabeth Blackwell, First Woman Doctor! She started her own hospital. She knew how to operate and put together body parts and everything.’”

Stink and Judy argue about what they should buy with their pocket money. Stink thinks Judy already has enough Band-Aids, evident in his use of hyperbole that Judy has “ten million” Band-Aids and comparison that the bathroom has more Band-Aids than the Red Cross, a group that provides health relief. This disagreement develops the ups and downs of siblinghood by showing how Judy and Stink have different passions and personalities, sometimes putting them in conflict with each other.

“Judy and Rocky laughed the rest of the way to China, ran backward to Japan, then hopped on one foot while patting their heads until they got to Vic’s. At Vic’s, they put their George Washington heads together for one small box of Band-Aids, and had enough left over for one jaw-breaker each.”

McDonald emphasizes Judy and Rocky’s close friendship through their many inside jokes, rituals, and ability to share. Their reciprocal friendship adds depth to navigating school and relationships and shows that, while Judy can be opinionated, she can also compromise and be a good friend—evident in her decision to pool her and Rocky’s money together so both can purchase what they want.

“‘I can’t wait to take my new pet to school tomorrow for Share and Tell,’ Judy told Stink. ‘It’s just like a rare plant from the rainforest.’ ‘It is?’ Stink asked. ‘Sure,’ said Judy. ‘Just think. There could be a medicine hiding right here in these funny green teeth. When I’m a doctor, I’m going to study plants like this and discover cures for ucky diseases.’”

Stink’s curiosity about Judy’s new “pet” shows that the two can get along when they are interested in the same thing. Judy’s passion for medicine and plants shows that she has big dreams for her future, portraying her as an intelligent and ambitious character.

“‘Snap! Trap!’ Stink said, adding sound effects. ‘Go get me an ant, a live one this time.’ Stink wanted to see the Venus flytrap eat again, so he got his sister an ant. ‘Snap! Trap!’ said Judy and Stink when another trap closed.”

Judy and Stink’s collaboration with the Venus flytrap adds to McDonald’s exploration of the ups and downs of siblinghood, as they enjoy each other’s company while feeding their new plant. This passage shows that the siblings can work together and get along. McDonald also uses onomatopoeia, where a word’s sound defines the word itself, through Stink’s sound effects of “Snap!” and “Trap!”

“Her Me Collage folder! Judy had been so busy with her new pet, she had forgotten to bring her folder to school. Judy Moody sneaked a peek at Frank Pearl’s folder. He had cut out pictures of macaroni (favorite food?), ants (favorite pet?), and shoes. Shoes? Frank Pearl’s best friend was a pair of shoes?”

Judy struggles to stay focused in school and keep her different responsibilities in balance. This passage adds detail to navigating school and relationships, as Judy wants to impress her classmates with her new pet at Share and Tell but forgets about her Me Collage work. By criticizing Frank Pearl’s collage in her head, Judy shows that she continues to feel judgmental toward her desk mate, even though he is nice to her.

“‘Cool,’ said Stink. ‘A sick doll. With three heads.’ Judy turned the knob once more and hugged the doll. ‘All better,’ said Hedda. ‘Can I make her get sick, then better?’ asked Stink. ‘No,’ said Judy. ‘I’m the doctor.’”

Judy is thrilled when her patient doll arrives at her house. This passage shows Judy’s continued interest in being a doctor and her excitement at treating her first patient. By excluding Stink, Judy shows that she wants to take good care of her doll and have her to herself. This passage adds to the ups and downs of siblinghood and sets the stage for Judy to face a new challenge when Stink intervenes with her precious doll.

“‘Give her a shot?’ asked mom. ‘No,’ said Judy, ‘Band-Aids!’ ‘Cool!’ said Stink. Stink and Judy put fancy band-aids on Hedda-Get-Betta’s face, one for every chicken pock. Then, they put Band-Aids all over her body.”

Even though Stink touched her doll without her permission, Judy forgives him and lets him help her fix the chicken pox. Judy’s patience and willingness to get over Stink’s mistake show her growing maturity and that she is learning to work through negative emotions, adding to the author’s exploration of learning to manage emotions.

“‘See what I mean? I can’t believe it happened to both of us the same!’ ‘Same-same!’ said Rocky, and they double-high-fived. ‘Now it’s like we’re members of the same club. A secret club that only the two of us know about.’ ‘And now we have a club to put on our Me Collages,’ said Judy.”

Judy and Rocky’s shared secrets and jokes show their deep bond with each other. Their “Toad Pee Club” adds humor to the story and depicts their everyday adventures, which entertain the young characters.

“‘We’re starting a club,’ said Rocky. ‘A secret club,’ Judy said quickly. ‘I like secrets,’ said Stink. ‘I want to be in the club.’”

Stink’s eagerness to mimic Judy and Rocky and feel included in their friendship highlights how he tries to keep up with his big sister. This passage shows that Judy is keen to stay more independent from Stink and keep her friends to herself. By showing the tension between Judy and Stink, McDonald further develops the ups and downs of siblinghood.

“‘Don’t cry,’ said Judy. ‘Trust me, you don’t want to be in this club.’ Just then, Stink’s eyes opened very wide. There was something warm and wet on his hand. Judy Moody and Rocky fell down laughing. ‘Am I in the club yet?’ asked Stink. ‘Yes! Yes! Yes!’ said Judy and Rocky. ‘The Toad Pee Club!’ ‘Yippee!’ cried Stink.”

Judy’s happiness for Stink when he accidentally enters the “Toad Pee Club” shows that she can overcome her irritation with him and share her secret club and friendship with Rocky. By showing Judy’s patience and inclusivity, the author shows that she is learning to be gentler with her little brother, adding to the ups and downs of siblinghood. The toad peeing on Stink’s hand depicts him engaging in the same ritual as Judy, and his excitement in his sister finally including him is evident when he exclaims, “Yippee!”

“The whole family rode in the car to Frank Pearl’s house. Even Toady went along, carried by Stink in a yogurt container. Judy held Frank’s lumpy present and fell into a bad-mood back-seat slump. Why did Rocky have to go to his grandma’s on TODAY of all days? ‘She’s crying!’ Stink reported to the front seat. ‘Am not!’ she said back with her best troll eyes ever.”

Judy falls into a terrible mood when her parents make her go to Frank Pearl’s birthday party and bring him a present. Judy’s acceptance that she has to go shows that she is trying to be flexible. However, her poor attitude toward Frank and the party—evident in McDonald’s description of Judy’s “best troll eyes” and “bad-mood back-seat slump”—reveals that she is struggling to manage her feelings about it.

“Judy wanted to climb right up Frank Pearl’s tire swing rope and howl like a rainforest monkey. […] Frank Pearl’s all-boy party had to be THE WORST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED to her.”

At the party, Judy’s dramatic internal reaction to Frank’s friends adds depth and humor to learning to manage emotions. By staying at the party and politely talking to Frank’s mom, Judy shows that she is learning to keep her frustration under control and do things she doesn’t want to do.

“Judy couldn’t help asking, ‘Do you have any baseball erasers?’ ‘I have ten!’ said Frank. ‘I got them FREE when a real Oriole came to the library.’ ‘Really? Me too!’ Judy smiled.”

Judy’s conversation with Frank helps to open her mind to the possibility of friendship. By showing interest in Frank’s collections and sharing details about her own, Judy realizes that she has judged Frank too harshly and that they have a lot in common. This interaction adds to Judy’s growth as a character and further develops navigating school and relationships.

“She would have to change her Me Collage. Frank’s birthday was no longer THE WORST THING EVER. Frank Pearl ate paste for a dare! And he gave her a baby food jar with six ants and a fly for Jaws.”

When Stink goes to the White House, Judy decides that her exclusion from the field trip is the worst thing that has ever happened to her. This passage reveals Judy’s budding friendship with Frank, showing that she is successfully navigating school and relationships and appreciates Frank’s kind gestures: a jar containing insects for her Venus flytrap.

“‘The sun is probably shining over the president’s house this second,’ thought Judy. She felt like a bike left out in the rain.”

Judy wrestles with her sadness and frustration at not going to the White House with Stink. She uses juxtaposition to contrast her low mood with imagining the sun shining over the White House, a happy sign. McDonald employs a simile comparing Judy’s jealousy of not going on the field trip to feeling like a bike left in the rain, which describes her feelings of being left behind.

“Once inside, Judy raced around her house, looking for the perfect spot to leave the hand, a place where Stink would be sure to find it right away. The couch? Toady’s aquarium? The refrigerator? Under his pillow? The bathroom!”

Judy’s excitement at pranking Stink adds comedy to this chapter and develops the ups and downs of siblinghood. This passage adds excitement and suspense to Judy’s day as she races around to locate the perfect spot to prank Stink.

“Stink looked sick. ‘What’s wrong?’ Judy asked. ‘If I tell you,’ said Stink, ‘You’ll be in the worst mood ever.’ ‘Where is it?’ asked Judy. ‘Did you drop my collage in a puddle? Did Toady pee on it?’ […] Dad held up her collage. Right smack dab in the center was a big purple stain the size of a pancake.”

Stink and Dad reveal the bad news to Judy. The damage to her collage is a real challenge for Judy since she worked so hard on it and needs to present it in front of the class. This passage creates tension in the story, as Judy must solve her problem and manage her feelings about it.

“‘Let me see.’ Judy held up the collage, looking it over. Even with the purple stain, she could still see the rain forest with Doctor Judy Moody in the very middle. And none of the Band-Aids had come off. ‘Never mind,’ said Judy. […] ‘I know what to do.’”

Instead of focusing on her disappointment and frustration, Judy quickly begins problem-solving to fix her damaged collage. Judy’s ability to put her anger aside and forgive her brother shows that she is becoming more patient and mature. This positive scene contributes to the exploration of learning to manage emotions, as Judy directs her energy into fixing her presentation.