Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Practicing the Piano: But She Does Love Being in Recitals

by Peggy Gifford Narrated by Clea Lewis

Overview

Here's the third book in the hilarious Moxy Maxwell series, which includes Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Stuart Little and Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Writing Thank-you Notes.

Moxy's back, and ready (kind of, sort of) for her big piano recital! In this hilarious third installment about everyone's favorite 'tween procrastinator, Moxy Maxwell is set to make her Piano Debut, playing a duet of “Heart and Soul” with her little sister, Pansy. It's too bad she has no time to practice. Between costume fittings, trying on her crown, warming up her voice, and putting on her stage makeup, Moxy can't possibly worry about the actual performance. But soon it's upon her, and Moxy feels something she's only felt once before in her entire life: nervous! She's not sure she can go on. Of course, Moxy is Moxy and she rises to the occasion brilliantly.

Editorial Reviews

School Library Journal

Gr 3–5—In this quick, quirky story, Moxy is preparing to play "Heart and Soul" with her sister in a piano recital. She's excited to dress up and go onstage in front of a large, adoring audience, but one small detail stands in her way: she can't seem to find the time to practice, so she's really not prepared. With her mother and aunt just back from Africa, her stepfather incessantly working on a poem about the elephant bird, her grandmother sewing glittery capes for the concert, and her friends and siblings in the mix as well, who can blame Moxy for getting a little distracted? Plus, she's got important things to do, like making fake ermine trim out of bath towels for the capes. Black-and-white snapshots "taken by Moxy's brother" are scattered throughout, providing glimpses into what the household and family members "really" look like. This installment will keep readers looking forward to the next one.—Amanda Moss Struckmeyer, Middleton Public Library, WI

Kirkus Reviews

Prime procrastinator and drama queen Moxy Maxwell is about to take the stage for real, making her Piano Debut at the Palace Theater, playing "Heart and Soul" with her little sister, Patsy. True, there is the scary note from the piano teacher. But how can she practice stopping and not pounding when there is so much else to do to prepare? Once again, Gifford offers a hilarious and very nearly believable glimpse into a day in Maxwell family life. Those familiar with the first two volumes will recognize the enticing format: short, episodic chapters with long, often foreboding titles ("In Which Mrs. Maxwell Gets Back to the Point"). They may decide that twin brother Mark's illustrative photography (provided by Fisher) is getting better; some pictures are even in focus. Sympathetic readers of any age will appreciate that, although she has just returned from Africa (bringing her own twin, the fearless, glamorous Aunt Susan Standish), Moxy's exhausted mom is there when a suddenly faint-hearted performer needs her most. This is a solid addition to a popular series, sure to attract new fans. (Fiction. 7-11)

From the Publisher

Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews, July 1, 2009:
"This is a solid addition to a popular series, sure to attract new fans."

Product Details

BN ID:	2940172105623
Publisher:	Penguin Random House
Publication date:	08/11/2009
Series:	Moxy Maxwell
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	8 - 11 Years

Read an Excerpt

Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Practicing the Piano

But She Does Love Being in Recitals

---

By Peggy Gifford

Yearling

Copyright © 2010 Peggy Gifford
All right reserved.
ISBN: 9780375859489

---

Chapter 1

The Setup

It was just after 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 7, and Moxy Maxwell was still in bed. Outside, the temperature was sixty-four degrees. Inside, a slight (5 mph) breeze was coming through her open windows. Her white curtains were ballooning up and down as the wind came and went. Four or five birds were making chirping sounds. They were not exactly the chirping sounds Moxy was always reading about in books, but they were bird sounds just the same, reminding Moxy that she had almost forgotten about the fact of birds.

It was the perfect day not to wear a hat. The perfect day to put on her new red Windbreaker with the white piping and the three felt-lined pockets and go outside and see what was up. But Moxy didn't have time.

Moxy didn't have time because Moxy had a list of Nine Things to Do Before Tonight.


Chapter 2

In Which We Learn About Tonight

Tonight Moxy Maxwell was going to make her Piano Debut at the Palace Theater. She and her sister, Pansy, who had just turned five (and still could not tie her shoes), were going to play a duet called "Heart and Soul."


Chapter 3

Moxy Plays the Palace

The Palace Theater was only the biggest theater in town. It had 2,400 seatsand was the place where all the Big Broadway Musicals played when they came on their national tours. Moxy's Piano Debut was being held at the unfashionable hour of 5 p.m. instead of the more civilized 7 p.m. because a very famous Rock Star (who no one but her mother had heard of) was scheduled to play the Palace at 8 p.m.

In fact, if Moxy's friend Sam hadn't happened to have a mother who owned the Palace Theater in the first place, Moxy's Piano Debut wouldn't have been there at all. It would have been in the basement of Temple Emanuel on Lee Road.


From the Hardcover edition.

Continues...

---

Excerpted from Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Practicing the Piano by Peggy Gifford Copyright © 2010 by Peggy Gifford. Excerpted by permission.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

---

Videos