The Real McCoys

Starred review from September 25, 2017
Swanson and Behr—the husband-wife creators of Everywhere, Wonder and Babies Ruin Everything—track a delightfully topsy-turvy day at Tiddlywhump Elementary in this heavily illustrated and impressively designed story. Their heroine is the hugely self-confident and aptly named Moxie McCoy, a 10-year-old aspiring sleuth inspired by an intrepid fictional detective. As the novel unfolds, Moxie interviews candidates to replace a best friend who moved away, attempts to identify the person who stole school mascot Eddie the Owl, and expects to clinch the award given to the student “who has best lived up to Eddie’s ideals of courage, patience, and wisdom.” Quick to judge and jump to conclusions, she doesn’t mince words: a pair of twins vying for the award “are about as lovable as the bumps on the end of an alligator’s nose.” Snappy analogies, similes, and double entendres play out in Behr’s energetic illustrations, a rambunctious jumble of cartoons, fonts, and dialogue balloons. At the heart of the story is Moxie’s deepening rapport with her bookish younger brother, Max, and readers will hope to see more of both siblings soon. Ages 8–12. Agent: Meredith Kaffel Simonoff, DeFiore and Co.

Starred review from August 1, 2017

Gr 3-5-A lot can happen in one day when you're the world's greatest fourth grade detective. Moxie McCoy aims to find both her school's stolen mascot and a new best friend while surviving multiple trips to the principal's office. Moxie's biggest surprise of the day? A new appreciation of her "boring as a butter knife" younger brother Milton, who reveals detective skills of his own. Moxie knows the meaning of her name, and embraces it as a mantra. With fictional girl detective Annabelle Adams as her muse, Moxie crackles with enthusiasm and ideas that leave her hair literally standing on end. Heavily illustrated, the book's design makes it a standout: playful interactions between text and black monochromatic cartoon art create a visual treat. Moxie bumps her head in frustration against a line of text; on another page, she's buried under her principal's angry word bubble. Drenched in slapstick humor, hyperbole, and wit, Behr's artwork makes every page unique and keeps a longer book within reach of younger readers. Adding depth to the fun is Moxie's glossary of vocabulary ("happenstance") and phrases ("go for the jugular") along with wrap-up questions encouraging personal reflection and understanding of the book's characters. VERDICT First in a series, readers will breeze through this ingenious combination of text and art, eager for Moxie and Milton's next case. A first purchase for all middle grade collections.-Marybeth Kozikowski, Sachem Public Library, Holbrook, NY

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2017
Fourth-grader Moxie McCoy must solve the crime of the century when the school mascot goes missing. She's aptly named, but the spunky white girl prefers to go by Slim while she's on a case. When the stuffed owl mascot, Eddie, is taken from a display case, the entire school is in an uproar. Moxie, whose entomologist mother has named an insect after her, takes it upon herself to find the culprit. Like any good detective with "high standards and excellent taste," she narrows down her suspects by process of elimination. Trouble is, Moxie is a tad impulsive and has a tendency to jump to conclusions. With some behind-the-scenes help from her little brother, Milton, and a lot of patience from the school principal, illustrated as a black woman, Moxie comes to examine what she did right and where she might need improvement. More Pippi Longstocking than Nancy Drew with her sassy gumption, unflappable enthusiasm, and wild imagination, Moxie has a flair for the frequent offbeat declaration: "I am fairly certain that a dilemma is a kind of ferocious desert animal. I am surprised that Principal Jones thinks I might have one." Each page is ebulliently decorated with hurly-burly fonts and rambunctious graphics. Questions to readers in the form of an "official debrief" prompt critical thinking about Moxie's narrative. An exceptional middle-grade read packed with giggles for young sleuths who love to explore a little off the beaten path. (glossary) (Fiction. 8-12)

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Starred review from October 1, 2017
Grades 3-6 *Starred Review* Swanson's witty text is enhanced exponentially by Behr's bold, original artwork to create a uniquely told whodunit with wide appeal to middle-grade readers. Moxie McCoy commands her name fittingly: she's an independent, self-assured fourth-grader who is as obsessed with solving mysteries as she is with finding the perfect replacement for her best friend, who has recently moved away. With guidance from her literary heroamateur sleuth Annabelle AdamsMoxie is determined to solve the critical question of who took school mascot Eddie the owl out of his display case, and in time for the awards ceremony at day's end. Whimsical cartoon illustrations and evocative hand lettering work in tandem with the text to tell a refreshing school story that genuinely captures the paramount importance of everyday elementary school experiences. Laugh-out-loud one-liners ( guacamole is basically just an avocado that fulfilled its destiny ) and short comic strips juxtapose refreshing moments of sincerity that normalize different types of diversity. What starts as Moxie's solo mission ends up a family endeavor as her timid little brother, Milton, becomes a vital player and ultimately Moxie's new sleuthing partner. Equally hilarious and informative back matter (a glossary and mission debrief) is the perfect conclusion to an exceptional book that respects its young readers.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)