Thrill-o-RAMA!

Get out your pink boa and sunglasses!

This past Friday the movie Judy Moody and the NOT Bummer Summer, based on the bestselling book series by author Megan McDonald and illustrator Peter H. Reynolds, opened in theaters. Whether or not you had a chance to see it in the theaters this past weekend, here are some tie-ins to get you in a Judy Moody mood.

In late May, Candlewick Press published an original novel by Megan McDonald based on the screenplay she co-wrote with Kathy Waugh. This movie novelization allows devout fans to relive all their favorite moments from the film, and includes eight pages of full-color stills from the movie. After reading this new Judy Moody adventure (which stays true to the series despite lacking Reynolds’ recognizable illustrations), I’m looking forward to seeing the movie myself. I also hear that McDonald and Reynolds are putting the finishing touches on a “classic” version of Judy Moody and the NOT Bummer Summer that will be a forthcoming tenth book in the series.

Additional tie-ins for the movie, all from Candlewick Press:
- an audiobook version of the movie novelization (from Candlewick on Brilliance Audio) performed by Barbara Rosenblat
- a hardcover edition of the Bigfoot Society of America’s official guide So You Want to Catch Bigfoot like the one Aunt Opal gives to Stink in the film
- a hardcover edition of Judy Moody Goes to Hollywood, with a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the movie and on-set photographs
- two easy reader books (Judy Moody and the Thrill Points Race and Judy Moody and the Poop Picnic) featuring vignettes and stills from the film

I gave these books to my sister's niece over Memorial Day weekend, and she was devouring them in the car right afterward. Check them out for the Judy Moody lover in your life—I guarantee he or she will think they are totally rare!

—Cindy Ritter