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

Judy Moody Was in a Mood. Not a Good Mood. A Bad Mood. (2000) is a children’s fiction book by American author Megan McDonald. In the novel, third grader Judy Moody adjusts to her new class while enjoying adventures with her best friend, Rocky. Third grade brings new experiences, such as getting to know her teacher, Mr. Todd, and buying a new pet. Judy also navigates her relationship with her annoying but lovable little brother, Stink, and dreams of being a doctor when she grows up. As Judy experiences the highs and lows of childhood, she learns how to be more flexible and manage her feelings—good and bad. McDonald explores themes of The Ups and Downs of Siblinghood, Learning to Manage Emotions, and Navigating School and Relationships.

This guide refers to the Candlewick Press eBook edition of the book.

Plot Summary

Judy does not want to begin third grade because she dreads adjusting to her new classroom and teacher. After making herself a homemade t-shirt with a shark on it, she meets her best friend, Rocky, at the bus stop. Judy meets her new teacher, Mr. Todd, and is annoyed to sit next to Frank Pearl, whom she dislikes. When she picks out negative words in a spelling activity, Mr. Todd notices that she is in a bad mood and asks her to come back in a better one the next day.

Judy goes to the corner store with Rocky, where they buy candy for Rocky and Band-Aids for Judy since she wants to be a doctor. Judy wants a sloth for a pet but settles for a different addition to the family: a Venus flytrap. She and Stink enjoy feeding dead bugs to their new “pet.”

Judy is excited to bring her new Venus flytrap to school for Share and Tell. She explains that its name is Jaws, and her collage will feature it as her “favorite pet.” Judy receives a special doll in the mail. The doll is a “patient” that she needs to help heal. When Stink gets the doll stuck on the chicken pox setting, Judy improvises by covering her with Band-Aids, and the doll becomes healthy again.

Judy is annoyed with Stink when he pesters her about her collage, on which she is working hard. When Judy plays with Rocky, they find a toad that pees on their hands, and they decide to start their own club called the “Toad Pee Club.” Stink is desperate to join, and when the toad pees on him, he becomes their third member.

Judy dreads going to Frank Pearl’s birthday party but reluctantly agrees. When she realizes she’s the only girl there, she decides the party is “the worst thing ever” (71). She changes her mind when she discovers that Frank is a collector like herself. Judy admires his interesting collections and starts to enjoy his company. Judy decides that Stink’s field trip to the White House with their parents is actually the worst thing ever. Jealous, Judy complains that she has to go to school while Stink gets to travel to the president’s house.

Judy has a grumpy day at school because she’s distracted by thoughts of Stink on his field trip. When she sees a spooky fake hand at the corner shop, she decides to buy it and prank him with it. Her plan works, and Stink is terrified of the fake hand coming out of the toilet, making Judy and her friends laugh.

Judy finally finishes her collage and is ready to present it to the class, but disaster strikes when her brother spills juice on it. Judy forgives him for his mistake and improvises a quick fix. She happily presents her collage to the class, and her classmates are especially interested in her Band-Aid collection. She, Stink, and her friends get ice cream after school, and Frank is surprised and delighted to become the latest member of the “T.P. Club” when he holds Toady.