Disclosure: I received free books via the tour. Opinions shared are mine.
I was so excited to learn about The Real McCoys series! These books will appeal to kids who enjoy illustrated books with an engaging story. I received all three books in the series.
The spunky main character is smart and funny. The mystery is only a path to her charm! I’m not sure what I liked better — the witty comments or the creative illustrations.
The page count may seem high to reluctant readers, but much of the page space is from artwork and word art. Don’t be misled; this doesn’t mean the books don’t contain solid writing. It all works together to create a rich reading experience that elementary students will love. I can also see my middle school students turning to this series as a comfort read. It’s accessible to students in the 3rd/4th grade reading level, and advanced readers will appreciate the clever story line.
THE REAL MCCOYS (The Real McCoys #1)
Author: Matthew Swanson and Robbi Behr (Illustrator)
Pub. Date: November 7, 2017
Publisher: Imprint
Formats: Hardcover, paperback, eBook
Pages: 336
Her name’s Moxie. Moxie McCoy.
Bold, opinionated, and haplessly self-confident, the world’s greatest fourth-grade detective faces her biggest challenge! When someone kidnaps beloved school mascot Eddie the Owl, Moxie is on the case–but she’s forced to fly solo now that her best friend (and crime-solving partner) has moved away.
Moxie must interview her classmates–both as potential new best friends and as possible suspects. She finds clues and points fingers but can’t save the owl on her own. Enter Moxie’s little brother, Milton. Quiet, cautious, and boring as a butter knife, he’s a good listener.
Can the Real McCoys form an unlikely alliance and solve the crime of the century?
Title: THE REAL MCCOYS: TWO’S A CROWD (The Real McCoys #2)
Author: Matthew Swanson and Robbi Behr (Illustrator)
Pub. Date: November 6, 2019
Publisher: Imprint
Formats: Hardcover, paperback, eBook
Pages: 336
The sequel to the critically acclaimed The Real McCoys!
When a baffling mystery strikes Tiddlywhump Elementary, sibling detectives and absolute opposites Moxie and Milton McCoy are on the case. She’s the doer. He’s the thinker. She’s the heart. He’s her heartburn.
Moxie’s friend Emily has received a suspicious letter signed with nothing but a sinister purple squiggle. Then more letters arrive—along with more questions. Who sent them? What do they mean? Is the world on the brink of collapse?
Milton and Moxie are the perfect problem-solving team…if only they could get along.When their partnership falls apart, Moxie races to identify the mysterious Squiggler first—while learning the hard way that two McCoys really are better than one.
With energetic illustrations on every page, Matthew Swanson and Robbi Behr’s Two’s a Crowd is a
vivaciously funny and irresistibly heartfelt mystery for young readers.
An Imprint Book
“A marvelous standalone sequel that will inspire random acts of kindness.” —School Library Journal, starred review
“An outstanding, truly unique reading experience.” —Booklist
Praise for The Real McCoys:
“Readers will breeze through this ingenious combination of text and art, eager for Moxie and Milton’s next case.” —School Library Journal, starred review
“Swanson’s witty text is enhanced exponentially by Behr’s bold, original artwork to create a uniquely told whodunit with wide appeal … An exceptional book.” —Booklist, starred review
“Delightfully topsy-turvy…readers will hope to see more of both siblings soon.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review
“An exceptional middle-grade read packed with giggles for young sleuths who love to explore a little off the beaten path.” —Kirkus Reviews
“An ingenious new series…an innovative reading experience that surprises and delights. Wordplay, witty descriptions and visual jokes abound.” —The Washington Post
“Swanson and Behr have created a gem with this hilarious elementary-level read with graphic novel tendencies.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“This clever, funny, delightful book is just what this crazy world needs. The surprising and inventive interaction between text and illustration shows that two brains are, indeed, better than one–especially when they belong to Matthew Swanson and Robbi Behr.” —Andrea Beaty, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Ada Twist Scientist
A Junior Library Guild Selection
Title: THE REAL MCCOYS: WONDER UNDERCOVER (The Real McCoys #3)
Author: Matthew Swanson and Robbi Behr (Illustrator)
Pub. Date: November 5, 2019
Publisher: Imprint
Formats: Hardcover, eBook
Pages: 352
In the third book in the critically acclaimed middle-grade series about mystery-solving siblings, Moxie
McCoy, fourth grade detective, goes undercover.
Moxie joins the Wonder Scouts to investigate a suspected saboteur in the badge competition. She’s never liked the Wonder Scouts, but once she joins the group, Moxie becomes enchanted with earning badges herself!
Meanwhile, someone has broken into Tiddlywhump’s Local House of History, and it’s up to Moxie’s little brother, Milton, to begin his own investigation.
Can this irrepressible detective duo crack two different cases?
Richly illustrated and laugh-out-loud funny Matthew Swanson and Robbi Behr’s Wonder Undercover is a must-have for young readers.
There are more mysteries in The Real McCoys series:
The Real McCoys
The Real McCoys: Two’s a Crowd
The Real McCoys: Wonder Undercover
An Imprint Book
About Robbi & Matthew:
WE ARE MATTHEW SWANSON AND ROBBI BEHR—
A WRITER/ILLUSTRATOR, HUSBAND/WIFE, TASKMASTER/LOAFER DUO
WE LIVE AND WORK AND MAKE STUFF TOGETHER IN THE HAYLOFT OF AN OLD BARN ON THE EASTERN SHORE OF MARYLAND.
Combining Robbi’s illustrations and Matthew’s words, we run two small presses— Idiots’Books (illustrated picture books for adults) and Bobbledy Books, (a picture book and music club for kids). Together, we have published more than 60 volumes, including titles with Macmillan, Chronicle Books and LB Kids. We speak, teach, and run workshops on collaboration and creative entrepreneurship (with appearances at TEDx, Mom 2.0,Alt Summit, and ICON7). And we blog about our ongoing adventures in creative mishap.
ROBBI BEHR
is an illustrator/print maker/commercial salmon fisherwoman who earned a BA from Williams College and an MFA from the Savannah College of Art and Design. When she is not drawing stuff or eating ice cream or watching sappy late-90s chick movies, she is, in all likelihood, fast asleep.
MATTHEW SWANSON
is a writer/art director/blues harmonica player who has so far failed in every attempt to be swashbuckling. He managed to secure a BA from Williams but was summarily rejected from every MFA program to which he applied—thus emboldening Robbi to remind him almost daily that he is a master of nothing.
Those covers are so much fun! I think that artwork in a MG novel really attracts kids to want to pick it up. I will have to keep an eye out for these. 🙂
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This looks fun. I love how colorful they are
This sounds like a great series with fun characters!
this sounds like something my little niece would love
I think my son would like these books!
My grandson would really enjoy this book
This sounds like a great series of books. I think my oldest granddaughter will enjoy reading them.
I have an advanced 2nd grader who adores reading and would love these books! She is always on the hunt for something new to read. She still enjoys having some illustrations. So these look like they are right up her alley!
Rebecca, these would be perfect for an advanced 2nd grader! It’s hard to find content-appropriate high-level books for that age.
My niece would love to read this book. Thank you for the chance to win one for her.
These look like great books! My boys would love them!
These books look amazing! I think they are just the kind my boys would love!
I think these books would make a wonderful present for the kiddos this holiday season. Adventurous books are fun at any age and we love books that are illustrated perfectly with the stories, like these.
My granddaughter would love these books.
My daughter would love these ???
She’s obsessed with reading but I’m too poor for books. She likes some pictures in the books to hold interest
Entering giveaways is a smart way to win books for your daughter, Ashley. Also, make sure to take her to the public library. It’s amazing how many terrific books they have! Keep that girl reading!
These would be great for the kids on our hospital unit – I love the covers and the storylines!
This looks like a fun and enjoyable book series.