Jessica Finch in Pig Trouble

Judy Moody & Friends #1

by Megan McDonald, Erwin Madrid (Illustrations)

Pee! Gee! Wee! Gee! What’s that sound?

With her birthday coming up, Jessica hopes that, just maybe, her present will be a real-live potbellied pig. Jessica can hardly wait for her party with Judy Moody and all their friends. But Judy Moody is acting like a pig-head, and Jessica UN-invites her from the party. To make matters worse, Jessica has snooped around the house and has found zero sign of a pig present. Could her birthday be any more of a disaster? Geared to newly independent readers, this story will have Judy Moody fans in pig heaven.

Genres: Chapter Books, Childrens, Humor, Friendship, Fiction, 1st Grade, Kids

64 pages, Hardcover

First published February 11, 2014

About the author

"Sometimes I think I am Judy Moody," says Megan McDonald, author of the Judy Moody series, the Stink series, and THE SISTERS CLUB. "I'm certainly moody, like she is. Judy has a strong voice and always speaks up for herself. I like that."

For Megan McDonald, being able to speak up for herself wasn't always easy. She grew up as the youngest of five sisters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Her father, an ironworker, was known to his coworkers as "Little Johnny the Storyteller." Every evening at dinner the McDonalds would gather to talk and tell stories, but Megan McDonald was barely able to get a word in edgewise. "I'm told I began to stutter," she says, leading her mother to give her a notebook so she could start "writing things down."


Critically acclaimed, the Judy Moody books have won numerous awards, ranging from a PUBLISHERS WEEKLY Best Book of the Year to an International Reading Association Children's Choice. "Judy has taken on a life of her own," the author notes, with nearly 3 million Judy Moody books in print. Interestingly, the feisty third-grader is highly popular with boys and girls, making for a strong base of fans who are among Megan McDonald's strongest incentives to keep writing, along with "too many ideas and a little chocolate." And now -- by popular demand -- Judy Moody's little brother, Stink, gets his chance to star in his own adventures! Beginning with STINK: THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING KID, three more stories, and his own encyclopedia, STINK-O-PEDIA, Stink's special style comes through loud and strong -- enhanced by a series of comic strips, drawn by Stink himself, which are sprinkled throughout the first book. About the need for a book all about Stink, Megan McDonald says, "Once, while I was visiting a class full of Judy Moody readers, the kids, many with spiked hair à la Judy's little brother, chanted, 'Stink! Stink! Stink! Stink! Stink!' as I entered the room. In that moment, I knew that Stink had to have a book all his own."


More recently, Megan McDonald has recalled some of her own childhood with the warmth, humor -- and squabbles -- of three spunky sisters in THE SISTERS CLUB.


Megan McDonald and her husband live in Sebastopol, California, with two dogs, two adopted horses, and fifteen wild turkeys that like to hang out on their back porch.

Reviews

[Alana Robinson]

The book was okay, but it wasn't the best. I don't really like Judy Moody. I was just in the mood for this story. First of all, I don't like pigs! Who am I kidding? I hate pigs! I will say the pigs were kinda cute in the story, but in real life they are pretty ugly. Also, in the story it's weird because a picture shows Jessica's neck super skinny. And I haven't looked, but you should make Judy Moody have a pet dog if she doesn't have one. If you'd ask me I would like a border collie or German Shepherd or Australian Shepherd. So if you like pigs and weird pictures, get this book.

[Christie Reuber]

This review is required for Dr. Sykes' READ3307 course at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. Judy Moody and Friends: Jessica Finch in Pig Trouble is written in the third person limited point of view for an audience ranging in age from five to eight. Author Megan McDonald’s writing style in this book is one full of dialogue that flows like a natural conversation between the two main characters. This story is set in present day and takes place in Jessica Finch’s home as well as Judy’s backyard. The plot follows Jessica Finch, who loves everything pig and her friend Judy Moody as they try to find out whether or not Jessica is getting a real live potbellied pig for her birthday. Judy is hiding a secret from Jessica and this makes Jessica upset. Jessica Finch is the main character of the story; she wears her hair in a ponytail. Jessica is curious and emotional. Judy Moody, the second leading character in this book is a helpful “supersnoop” who has short wavy hair. The theme of this book is: keeping secrets even the good ones can hurt people’s feelings, however, by telling the truth friendship can be restored. This book is presented as an early reader’s chapter book with large font that is reader-friendly. The digital illustrations by Erwin Madrid flow seamlessly with the text aiding in the comprehension skills of early readers. The implications of people’s feelings are discovered when secrets are kept from them.

[Joylynn]

I would love to give this book more than 3 stars. My almost 5 year old adored it and it was very cute. Unfortunately, its full of sentence fragments. I don't understand why the writer's of early chapter books can't add an extra word or two to make complete sentences. These books are written for children who are beginning to read and write so why are we confusing them by having them read books full of bad grammar?

[Jen]

All Jessica has ever wanted was a potbellied pig. As her birthday approaches, she hopes more than ever that this will be the day where she will get one.

This was a cute and fun read that celebrates the roles of friendship, explains patience, and reaps the rewards of both.

[Marcy]

I picked this up at the library hoping to get my four year old interested in listening to chapter books. She loved it because there are plenty of illustrations and it's only three short chapters. We plan to pick up a couple more next week.

[Barb Keister]

This new Judy Moody and Friends series will be a big hit with my 2nd grade girls. Gotta love pink, adorable pigs!

[Anthony]

Jessica Finch happens to love everything pig. Even her birthday falls on National Pig Day, and that's what she wants more than anything for her birthday, a pot bellied pig. She asks Judy Moody to help her snoop to find out if she's getting one for her birthday. The search comes up empty, but little does Jessica know, that Judy is in on the biggest secret ever. This story uses ig-pay Atin-la (Pig Latin) throughout the story, which isn't really Latin at all.

[Jayne Chun]

Jessica wanted a pig for her birthday. Judy visited Jessica’s house and played pink pig game. On Jessica’s birthday, Jessica was mad at Judy because Jessica wanted to go into a club like Judy, but Judy said no.When it actually Jessica’s birthday, Judy bought Jessica a pig!

[Jessica]

This is a fun little off-shoot of the regular Judy Moody series. Jessica Finch wants a pig for her birthday, but when Judy Moody won't let Jessica into her TP Clubhouse, their friendship takes a hit. Very enjoyable story and colored illustrations.

[Checkthebook]

Not for us. TOO MANY PIGS. Seriously. And a pointless plot.

[Noah]

She got a pig!!!! She got a pig yeah!!!!

[Tara Ethridge]

Sweet beginning chapter book that I can see bridging readers loving. Jessica loves everything about pigs and wants one for her birthday. Cute story overall.

[Jane]

my favorite part is when jessica finch showed judy moody her room and it was a full pig pen

[Phoebe Hung]

not bad but i like judy moody normal more

[Maca_DVD]

Se me hizo muy pretenciosa nuestra querida Jessica, y lo buena de Judy

[Terri]

Hockessin Library 5&6 Year Old Book Group - November 2023

[EdenB15]

I loved the Judy moody books as a child and after finding this on Libby i decided to jump back into Megan mcdonalds world. Really enjoyable

[Erica Deb]

Loved it. Perfect for my little pig lover. And it even kept her three-year-old interested. We had to read all of it to find out what the pee gee wee gee was!

[Katie Fitzgerald]

Jessica Finch in Pig Trouble is the first in yet another series about Judy Moody. Judy Moody and Friends focuses on the adventures of the minor characters from the Judy Moody books, told in short chapters interspersed with large full-color illustrations. Jessica Finch's birthday is days away and things are not going according to plan. There is no indication that her parents are giving her the one thing she really wants - a real-live pig -and her friend Judy is acting so strangely that Jessica uninvites her to her party. The only thing that can save her birthday from total disaster is a last-minute surprise!

Jessica Finch in Pig Trouble would be an excellent choice for any child's first chapter book. The storyline is relatable, funny, and entertaining. The writing style is straightforward but not overly simplistic. The illustrations by Erwin Madrid infuse the story with warmth, color, and personality. Like the Mercy Watson series by Kate DiCamillo, this book uses many of the conventions of an easy reader but includes more sophisticated sentence structures and vocabulary. Kids who aren't quite ready for the longer Judy Moody stories can still get a fun dose of Judy's unique personality through the eyes of her friends. (Incidentally, Jessica appears in Judy Moody and the Bad Luck Charm.)

Jessica Finch in Pig Trouble was released in May along with the second book of the series, Rocky Zang in The Amazing Mr. Magic. Two more books, Amy Namey in Ace Reporter and Frank Pearl in The Awful Waffle Kerfuffle will follow in September. Libraries will want to own multiple copies of each, as these stories are likely to be as popular as all the others about Judy Moody and Stink.

[Austin Carper]

Jessica Finch has a very important day coming up soon... her birthday! All she wants is a pot-bellied pig, and is so enthralled with getting one that she constantly keeps her eyes and ears peeled in the days leading up to her birthday for any signs or clues that would lead to her getting her ideal present. Unfortunately, the days leading up to her birthday yield no clues, and Jessica becomes worried that she may not receive the gift she was hoping for. Will Jessica get her pot-bellied pig? Will she get something more? Read Jessica Finch in Pig Trouble to find out.

Higher Level Thinking Questions:
1. Rewrite the story so that the animal that Jessica wants for her birthday is a different animal than a pig. How would things turn out differently?
2. (Before reading) What do you predict will happen for Jessica's birthday?
3. What is the relationship between Jessica Finch and Judy Moody like during the story?
4. Create your own new ending to the story. What would you change? What would you keep the same?
5. What was the most exciting part of the story for you while you were reading?

Citation:

[Claudine]

I am so happy that Megan McDonald started this new beginner reader series. My daughter is in 2nd grade and it's been difficult finding "hybrid" books for her to read. She's well past picture books, but chapter books are too long and not very visually engaging to keep her attention. She did read a full blown Judy Moody book at school and she enjoyed it...but it took her 3 weeks and she wasn't very enthused to try another one. This new book was exactly the right level and renewed her interest in Judy Moody.

This new series is perfect! Every page has a wonderful illustration to make it fun to read. The chapters are short, but still long enough to make the young reader feel like they have moved up from picture books. The story was fun, cute and appropriate for this age group. Not too baby-ish and not geared toward a pre-teen.

I work at my local public library and was excited to bring home this book for my daughter to read. I hope Megan McDonald continues this early chapter book series, because it's a perfect way to introduce Judy Moody to young readers.

[Barbara]

Jessica would love to have a pig as her birthday present, but when she and Judy Moody look around her house for signs of the pig, they find only pig-themed gifts. When Judy seems to be keeping secrets from her, Jessica becomes annoyed with her and doesn't want her to attend her party. But Judy's secret just might make Jessica happy. Fans of Judy Moody will enjoy this one, but I wasn't too thrilled with it. Still, it will find an audience easily.

[Ashley]

Jessica Finch loves pigs. Her room is pig pink. She had a pink pig rug, and piggy bank, and everything, and her biggest wish is for her birthday to get her own big. Can Judy Moody help her find out if her parents are getting her a pig, or will it all turn into a big friend-ruining trouble?

A new and fresh look at Judy Moody but with all the quirk and charm she's always had. Can't wait to recommend these to a new crowd of young readers.

[Carol]

Judy Moody's friends take center stage in this new high level beginning reader almost intermediate chapter book. Full color illustrations, simple text and short chapters make this perfect for those just transitioning into longer books. Moving on to the original Judy Moody series will feel like home to those starting out here.

[Steph]

I love that kids could graduate from this level chapter book to the Judy Moody or Stink novels. That being said, I think it wouldn't be as enjoyable to read this if you hadn't read the original Judy Moody book. That seems a little bit backwards to me. :)

P.S. - I love her pink, pig-themed room! SO fun!

[Kristi Drouin]

This is the first book in the Judy Moody and Friends series. My 6 year old loved it. He read it without much difficulty. Great pictures and an interesting story made for a good read. Book 1 down of our summer reading program done!

[Michelle Kelley]

New Judy Moody and Friends Beginning Reader series.

[Lindsey]

This book left me tongue tied. I loved the illustrations.

[Alice]

This is a very cute basic chapter book. I think early readers are going to love them!!!

[Tracie]

I just don't want to forget that Judy Moody has early chapter books with the chapters marked.