Megan McDonald


Megan Jo McDonald is an American children's literature author. Her most popular works is the series of books which concern a third grade girl named Judy Moody. McDonald has also written many picture books for younger children and continues to write. Her most recent work was the Julie Albright series of books for American Girl.

Life and career

McDonald was born February 28, 1959, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to John and Mary Louise McDonald. She is the youngest of five girls, which served as the inspiration for The Sister's Club. She was awarded a B.A. from Oberlin College in 1981, and an M.L.S. from University of Pittsburgh in 1985.
Megan McDonald began her career as a children's librarian, working at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Minneapolis Public Library, and Adams Memorial Library in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. Her first book, Is This a House for Hermit Crab?, came as a result of patrons asking her where to find a story she had told to children at a library.
McDonald is married to Richard Haynes and lives in Sebastopol, California.

Published works

Judy Moody and Stink

The Judy Moody series follows the humorous adventures of a third-grader, Judy Moody. A spin-off series follows her younger brother, nicknamed Stink. All of McDonald's books in the Judy Moody series and the Stink series are illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds.
Character list:
  1. Mauryan Rodriguez
  2. Andy Rodriguez
  3. Aunt Opal
  4. Rocky Zang
  5. Frank Pearl
  6. Jessica Finch
  7. Mouse
  8. Amy Namey
  9. Mr. Todd
  10. Jaws
  11. Toady
  12. Chloe
  13. Tori
Judy Moody books:
  1. Judy Moody
  2. Judy Moody Gets Famous!
  3. Judy Moody Saves the World!
  4. Judy Moody Predicts the Future
  5. Judy Moody, M.D. The Doctor Is In
  6. Judy Moody Declares Independence
  7. Judy Moody: Around the World in 8½ Days
  8. Judy Moody Goes to College
  9. Judy Moody: Girl Detective
  10. Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer
  11. Judy Moody and the Bad Luck Charm
  12. Judy Moody: Mood Martian
  13. Judy Moody and the Bucket List
  14. Judy Moody and the Royal Tea Party
  15. Judy Moody Book Quiz Whiz
Judy Moody and Stink books:
  1. Judy Moody & Stink: The Holly Joliday
  2. Judy Moody & Stink: The Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Treasure Hunt
  3. Judy Moody & Stink: The Big Bad Blackout
  4. Judy Moody & Stink: The Wishbone Wish
Stink books:
  1. "Stink: The Incredible Shrinking Kid"
  2. "Stink: and the Incredible Super-Galactic Jawbreaker"
  3. "Stink: and the World's Worst Super-Stinky Sneakers"
  4. "Stink: and the Great Guinea Pig Express"
  5. "Stink: Solar System Superhero"
  6. "Stink: and the Ultimate Thumb-Wrestling Smackdown"
  7. "Stink: and the Midnight Zombie Walk"
  8. "Stink: and the Freaky Frog Freakout"
  9. "Stink: and the Shark Sleepover"
  10. "Stink Moody in Master of Disaster"
Film:
Megan McDonald's book, Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer, was adapted to a movie with the same name released in 2011, directed by John Schultz, with Jordana Beatty in the role of Judy Moody. McDonald co-wrote the screenplay with Kathy Waugh.

Awards