The Melting of Maggie Bean

infobox Book |
name = The Melting of Maggie Bean


image_caption =
author = Tricia Rayburn
illustrator =
cover_artist =
country = United States
language = English
series =
genre = Children's
publisher = Aladdin
pub_date = April 24, 2007
media_type = Print (Paperback)
pages = 256 pp
isbn = ISBN 9781416933489
preceded_by =
followed_by = Maggie Bean Stays Afloat

"The Melting of Maggie Bean" is a children's novel by Tricia Rayburn, published in 2007. The book follows the titular Maggie Bean's quest to lose weight and join her school's synchronized swim team.

Plot

Maggie Bean is the average 7 grader, having a tough year. Her dad lost his job, and her mom is stressed about money. So Maggie focuses on keeping up her straight A average and eating chocolate lots and lots of chocolate. But it all changes when Maggie gets a chance to try out for the synchronized swim team. Becoming a Water Wing has always been Maggie's dream. She and her friend Aimee work to complete their goal and Maggie might finally stop being a social outcast. She works every day and has taken a bit of her original chunky 189 lb. Who would not want a cute silver bathing suit, an awsome circle of friends, and the boyfriend of her dreams? But it is all up to Maggie, and who she thinks she is. [ [http://books.google.com/books?id=UQ_m1IT7srQC http://books.google.com/books?id=UQ_m1IT7srQC] ]

Characters

Maggie BeanMaggie is a self conscious 7th grader who's father has recently lost his job. Because of this Maggie goes from 149 pound to 186 and that's not good when your 5'7. Her measurements are 42-34-44. Maggie is a straight A student. Maggie has a crush on Peter Applewood, a baseball player. Maggie dislikes Anabel Richards and Julia Swanson, 2 members of the water wings, but she envies them for their bodies and popularity. To deal with the stress of her father losing his job Maggie does what she knows best eat lots of chocolate and getting straight A's. [The Melting of Maggie Bean By Tricia Rayburn]

Peter ApplewoodA popular, good looking baseball player and Maggie's crush. Peter

ArniePeter Applewood's cousin and a boy that Maggie met at the pound patrollers. Arnie is also overweight like Maggie and he plays the flute. He hopes to start a business someday.

Aimee McDougallMaggie's well-intentioned, athletic friend who encourages her to try out for the water wings.

Development and publication

Rayburn was studying for an MFA in creative writing at Long Island University when she began the novel.Tricia Rayburn, " [http://triciarayburn.blogspot.com/2008/01/bean-backstory.html The Bean Backstory] ", "Maggie Musings & More" (28 January, 2008)] Kelly Parra, " [http://yafresh.blogspot.com/2007/06/whats-fresh-with-tricia-rayburns.html What's Fresh with Tricia Rayburn's The Melting of Maggie Bean] ", "YA Fresh" (6 June, 2007)] One of her elective classes was Reading and Writing Children's Literature, for which the final assignment was to write the first thirty pages of a young adult novel. Using her own childhood for inspiration, Rayburn came up with the image of a girl in a store trying to decide which candy she should buy.

After she completed the assignment Rayburn continued to work on the novel for her own enjoyment and eventually finished a first draft, which became her MFA thesis. Having not considered it before, Rayburn was struck by a sudden thought during a meeting with her MFA adviser and asked whether she should seek publication. She sent out several query letters to agents, without expecting a result, and received her first reply two days later.Kelly, " [http://www.onebooktwobook.com/friday-fifteen-tricia-rayburn/ Friday Fifteen: Tricia Rayburn] ," "One Book Two Book" (January 11, 2008).]

Rayburn signed with the Writers House agency and began to revise the novel with the help of her agent, Rebecca Sherman. Until this time, the character of Maggie Bean had been called Lucy Moon, but Rayburn had to change it because someone else was already using the name in their novel. Once this and other changes had been made, the novel was sent out to editors; it was accepted by Simon & Schuster and published as one of the six launch titles for their new Aladdin MIX imprint. [Joy Bean, " [http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6440872.html S&S Reaches Out to Tweens] ," "Publishers Weekly" (5/10/2007).]

Reception

"Entertainment Weekly", "Kliatt" and "Teens Read Too" all applauded the novel for its realism.Tina Jordan, " [http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20033707,00.html Review of "The Melting of Maggie Bean"] ," "Entertainment Weekly" (Apr 04, 2007).] Amanda MacGregor, " [http://www.allbusiness.com/medicine-health/diet-nutrition-fitness-dieting/5509391-1.html Rayburn, Tricia. The melting of Maggie Bean.] ", "Kliatt", archived on AllBusiness.com] Jennifer Rummel, " [http://www.teensreadtoo.com/MaggieBean.html Review of "THE MELTING OF MAGGIE BEAN"] ," "TeensReadToo.com".]

Rayburn's characterisation came in for particular praise, with "Kliatt" saying of Maggie that "her personality practically jumps off the page", and that the supporting characters are "nuanced" and "just as well-thoughtout". "Entertainment Weekly" described the titular character as "a resourceful, likeable kid" but felt that she is "simply drawn".

"School Library Journal" called the novel "thoughtful" and "empowering", [Robyn Zaneski, " [http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6455686.html Review of "The Melting of Maggie Bean"] ," "School Library Journal" 53.7 (Jul2007): 109.] while "Kliatt" thought it "engaging, earnest". "Teens Read Too" said it "will inspire readers everywhere", rating the book as "5 Stars" and gaving it a Gold Award. "Entertainment Weekly" graded the book as a "B".

References