32 pages • 1 hour read
Judy Moody Was in a Mood. Not a Good Mood. A Bad Mood.
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Judy Moody
Judy Moody is the protagonist of the novel and a round character. She is a third-grade American girl who lives in Virginia with her parents and little brother, Stink. The eldest child in her family, Judy enjoys playing with her brother but also bickers with him and sometimes bosses him around. The family has a pet cat named Mouse, with whom Judy finds too old and lazy to play. Judy’s latest addition to the family is her Venus flytrap plant, which she names Jaws.
In the story, McDonald portrays Judy as a passionate and opinionated girl. She has big feelings and struggles with Learning to Manage Emotions and Navigating School and Relationships. Judy’s grouchy moods can cause her to snap at her parents and overreact to her little brother. The author hints that Judy lashes out more when she feels anxious about new things like encountering a different classroom and teacher, as she likes to feel in control and enjoys familiar routines. Judy is assertive and is not shy about expressing herself honestly to her parents, teachers, and friends, making her low moods obvious to everyone.
While she can be stubborn and contrary, Judy also has a big heart. Judy has a loving relationship with her best friend, Rocky, with whom she shares many secrets and inside jokes. She collaborates with Rocky in different games, shares money with him to buy candy and knick-knacks, and starts a funny club with him. While Judy can be judgmental at first, throughout the story, she softens and becomes a more open person. She befriends her classmate, Frank, over their shared interest in collections and invites him to join her special club. Judy’s dedication to her schoolwork and her passion for medicine make her come across as an ambitious and intelligent little girl. Throughout the story, Judy learns to better manage her feelings and shows her growing maturity in her interactions with her brother and classmates. Because Judy changes throughout the narrative and grows in maturity, she is also a dynamic character.
Stink Moody
Stink Moody is a secondary character in the book. Stink is Judy’s little brother, who is in the second grade. McDonald portrays Stink as a loveable but mischievous child who longs to join in on Judy’s activities and social life. For instance, he wants to see Judy’s collage, hang out with her friends, and play with her interesting doll. Stink’s interest isn’t always wanted, and Judy sometimes distances herself from her brother’s eagerness and desire to join.
McDonald portrays Stink as a well-meaning but often clumsy boy whose interference can cause Judy frustration. For instance, Stink tampers with her doll despite Judy’s instructions, giving it “chicken pox.” Excited to feed Judy’s new pet, he gives it so much raw hamburger one of the plant’s arms collapses. He also spills juice on her collage, ruining its perfect look. While Stink can be careless, his innocence and humor make him a sympathetic character. Stink’s presence in the story provides a foil to Judy’s character and prompts her emotional development. His mishaps help McDonald develop The Ups and Downs of Siblinghood as Judy has to learn to forgive and forget and move past Stink’s mistakes.
Rocky
Rocky is Judy Moody’s best friend and classmate in her third-grade class. McDonald portrays Rocky as a loyal and fun friend who Judy can count on. Rocky shows kindness to Judy by being supportive of her interests, even though they are different from his. For instance, Judy loves collecting Band-Aids while Rocky prefers to save up for candy or magic tricks. They also bond over the interests and experiences they do have in common, saying “Same-same!” and high-fiving when they agree. Like Judy, Rocky has a silly sense of humor and likes getting into mischief. One of their favorite shared experiences is starting their “T.P. Club,” which becomes an inside joke between the two.
McDonald also portrays Rocky as a relaxed and open-minded character who doesn’t mind playing with different children. For example, he is always nice to Judy’s little brother, Stink, and he happily includes Frank Pearl in their club after Judy befriends him. Rocky’s presence in the story helps to provide depth to Judy’s character, as it shows that she is a loyal and appreciative friend.
Frank Pearl
Frank Pearl is a third-grade boy and classmate of Judy Moody. The author portrays Frank as a sweet and generous boy who is eager to connect with Judy. He passes her notes, tries to talk to her, and invites her to his birthday party.
Initially, Judy is disappointed to be seated next to Frank in her third-grade class. She finds his attempts at friendship annoying, and she believes the rumor that he eats paste. Frank’s desire to be Judy’s friend despite her prickly responses shows how patient he is.
However, once Judy gets to know Frank better, she comes to like him. Frank and Judy share some interests, like their passion for collecting things. Frank is a diligent and organized collector, impressing Judy with his carefully stored items. Frank’s kindness and generosity also win over Judy, as he gives her gifts she likes when she comes to his party. Frank helps Judy grow by teaching her not to judge people so quickly.
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