Sometimes jawbreakers don't break. When that product malfunction happens to avid chewer Stink Moody, he writes a letter of complaint to the manufacturer, who responds with a full ten-pound box of fully functioning gumballs! This unexpected boon launches Stink on a letter-writing campaign based on overblown dreams of big-time restitution. Things go awry, however, when friendship gets lost in the mailroom shuffle. A delightful chapter book by the author of the popular Judy Moody novels.

Gr 1-3-Judy Moody's seven-year-old brother is back with new super-galactic adventures. Stink buys the World's Biggest Jawbreaker and slurps, sloops, and shloops it all day until in one crunch, it is G-O-N-E. Disappointed that his jaw isn't broken, he decides to use his new letter-writing skills to complain to the company. He receives 21,280 jawbreakers, prompting him to write more letters in an attempt to get more free stuff. Candy, toys, and zoo passes arrive daily for Stink, who won't share any of his treasures with his "green with envy" older sister, Judy. He is so busy receiving the free goodies that he overlooks his super-best friend Webster's birthday party invitation, and he has to find a way to mend their friendship. He has also been learning about idioms in school and peppers them throughout the story along with his colorful Stink-isms. Black-and-white comic-book-style illustrations are clever and zany. This early chapter book is bound to be a hit with fans of Stink or Judy Moody, and it makes a hilarious read-aloud.-Michele Shaw, formerly at Yorkshire Academy, Houston, TX Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Stink, Judy Moody's little brother, is back in the second installment in his own series. With the five dollars he earned by participating in a study for short people, Stink buys the World's Biggest Jawbreaker. And, if longevity is any indication, Stink gets his money's worth. He sucks on it at home, in school and everywhere in between. But, when the jawbreaker does not break his jaw or even stretch his mouth, he decides to write a letter to the manufacturer. His letter is a big success-a ten-pound box of jawbreakers arrives at the Moody house! That success spurs a letter-writing campaign that keeps the mailbox popping until the grown-ups put a stop to the letter writing. This story would be plenty for new readers, but McDonald adds a grammar lesson that runs thinner than pond ice in April-Mrs. D is teaching about idioms and Stink can't stop speaking in them, 37 idiomatic phrases altogether. Reynolds's familiar illustrations keep the mood light, even when Judy and Stink argue, which they do. Constantly. (Fiction. 5-9)

McDonald has perfectly pegged elementary school, second-graders and the dynamics of family life. . . . These tales of the Moody family will hit the spot for beginning chapter book readers.
—Chicago Sun-Times

Like big sister Judy Moody, Stink sports a memorable name and a talent for self-expression. His predicaments and triumphs have a childlike air, and the quick-witted dialogue will keep readers entertained.
—Booklist

Clever and zany . . . A hilarious read-aloud.
—School Library Journal

Stink, Judy Moody's younger brother, is back! Standing up to his sister and standing up for his ideas, Stink turns a visit to the candy store into one sweet outing. Empowered by his newly learned letter-writing skills, Stink sets out to share his opinions on various products with the manufacturers but almost forgets the importance of friendship. Nancy Cartwright shines as narrator. Her intensity matches the humorous determination and imagination of both Judy and Stink. She is vibrant and vivacious as Stink and superior and needling as older sister Judy. Cartwright’s fast pace matches the story’s urgency. What a delightfully painless way to bone up on letter-writing skills! A.R. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine