Molly McGinty Has a Really Good Day

Gr 4–6—When Molly McGinty, a sixth grader at Lady of Mercy Middle School, loses her binder/organizer, she knows she's going to have a bad day in Gary Paulsen's humorous tale (Wendy Lamb Books, 2004). Her prediction starts coming true when she trips and gets a black eye before school. To make matters worse, it's Senior Citizens' Day at school and Grandma Irene will be there. By mid-day, Molly is faced with detention for trying to bail her grandmother out of the principal's office, gets creamed with school cafeteria food, is drenched with pen fluid, and has embarrassed herself in front of a guy she likes. Can Molly turn her day around? Will she ever find her notebook? Although Irene is a bit hard to believe, the story is fun and uniquely crafted. The plot and characters accurately capture middle school life. Angela Dawe's unique narrative style brings the characters to life. She perfectly voices the plot transitions, changes in mood, and different character, adding depth to the story. Fans of Gary Paulsen and humorous realistic fiction will enjoy this masterful audiobook.—Kira Moody, Whitmore Public Library, Salt Lake City, UT