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Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Practicing the Piano

But She Does Love Being in Recitals

Part of Moxy Maxwell

Illustrated by Valorie Fisher
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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.
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 seats and 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.
Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews, July 1, 2009:
"This is a solid addition to a popular series, sure to attract new fans."
Valorie Fisher is the creator of the back-to-school favorite Everything I Need to Know Before I’m Five, a Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year; How High Can a Dinosaur Count?, a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year; and the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award winners My Big Brother and My Big Sister. She is also the photographer for the beloved Moxy Maxwell books by Peggy Gifford.

Valorie spent her childhood zigzagging through the U.S., England, and Italy. She studied art at the Museum School and Tufts University in Boston. After graduation, she moved to New York City, where she worked in various capacities with galleries and museums, and as a photographer and prop stylist, before weaving her way into children’s books. Valorie lives in a farmhouse in Cornwall, Connecticut, with her family and a colossal collection of tiny toys. Learn more at valoriefisher.com. View titles by Valorie Fisher

About

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.

Excerpt

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 seats and 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.

Reviews

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

Author

Valorie Fisher is the creator of the back-to-school favorite Everything I Need to Know Before I’m Five, a Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year; How High Can a Dinosaur Count?, a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year; and the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award winners My Big Brother and My Big Sister. She is also the photographer for the beloved Moxy Maxwell books by Peggy Gifford.

Valorie spent her childhood zigzagging through the U.S., England, and Italy. She studied art at the Museum School and Tufts University in Boston. After graduation, she moved to New York City, where she worked in various capacities with galleries and museums, and as a photographer and prop stylist, before weaving her way into children’s books. Valorie lives in a farmhouse in Cornwall, Connecticut, with her family and a colossal collection of tiny toys. Learn more at valoriefisher.com. View titles by Valorie Fisher