Megan McDonald is the writer of the popular Judy Moody and Stink books. McDonald, the youngest of five girls, grew up in a suburb outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I talked with her for our magazine recently. Here are some questions I asked and her answers to them.
Q: What was the inspiration for your characters Judy Moody and Stink?
A: My original inspiration came from growing up with so many sisters.
We grew up in a family of readers and storytellers. I had all these funny stories about my sisters that I wanted to tell. The first Judy Moody book probably has the most stories that came from my childhood. After that, Judy and Stink really took on a life of their own. Everyone knows a “Judy Moody” in his/her life.
Q: Who are some of your favorite authors and what are some of your favorite books?
A: Beverly Cleary with the Ramona books. Harriet The Spy by Louise Fitzhugh was also a really important book for me growing up. And now, I would say that one of my most favorite authors is Katherine Paterson. I love her book called The Great Gilly Hopkins. Gilly is so individual, strong-minded and willful. She’s not always perfect. Judy Moody was sort of inspired by that character. I love that book.
Q: What advice do you have for kids who want to write books?
A: It’s really simple. I think the best thing anybody — a kid or an adult — can do if he/she wants to write is to read. I feel really strongly about that because I think reading is not only what inspires us, but it’s a way that we learn languages, and it’s a way that we learn how stories work with beginnings, middles, and ends. For me, it all begins with reading.
8. According to Megan McDonald, growing up with so many sisters .
A.kept her from reading |
B.wasn’t a very good experience |
C.helped her write books in later life |
D.made her different from other girls |
9. The underlined sentence means Judy and Stink .
A.became popular with readers |
B.wanted to become independent |
C.were just ordinary people in our lives |
D.developed no longer based on McDonald’s childhood |
10. McDonald’s last answer mainly shows reading is .
A.simple | B.important |
C.private | D.basic |
11. Who talked with Megan McDonald in the text?
A.A teacher. | B.A TV reporter. |
C.A fan. | D.A journalist |