I’m really reading The Omnivore’s Dilemma (and enjoying it), but last night after all the girls were in bed, it really wasn’t what I wanted to curl up with.

So, it’s a good thing — on a recommendation from Becky — that I picked up this book, the first by Peggy Gifford, at the library the other day. It hit the spot: short, cute, and very funny. Just right for the evening of a stressful day. In fact, I think you could safely call this book adorable. (Though I’m not sure Moxy would like being called that all that much.)

Moxy Maxwell, 9-year-old, almost-fourth grader has had all summer to read Stuart Little. But there never seemed to be enough time. Until it’s come down to this: the last day before school starts, the day of the “Goodbye to Summer Splash” show where she’s 1/8th of a swimming daisy, and an ultimatum: read the book or don’t go.

Simple. And it works. Moxy is an amusing main character, coming up with all sorts of ways to get out of reading the book. But when she finally does, it’s — like many things we are “forced to do” — love. But that’s another story. This story is her adventures in getting out of reading the book. And it’s a winner. (I’m passing it on to C, who I’m sure, will just love it as much as I did.)