What do you think?
Rate this book
The Night Iguana Left Home
Although her friend Alison Frogley treats her very well, Iguana feels that something is missing in her life, so she boards a Greyhound bus headed south and her adventures begin. By the author of The Bone Keeper.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1999
About the author
Megan McDonald
311 books746 followers"Sometimes I think I am Judy Moody," says Megan McDonald, author of the Judy Moody series, the Stink series, and THE SISTERS CLUB. "I'm certainly moody, like she is. Judy has a strong voice and always speaks up for herself. I like that."
For Megan McDonald, being able to speak up for herself wasn't always easy. She grew up as the youngest of five sisters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Her father, an ironworker, was known to his coworkers as "Little Johnny the Storyteller." Every evening at dinner the McDonalds would gather to talk and tell stories, but Megan McDonald was barely able to get a word in edgewise. "I'm told I began to stutter," she says, leading her mother to give her a notebook so she could start "writing things down."
Critically acclaimed, the Judy Moody books have won numerous awards, ranging from a PUBLISHERS WEEKLY Best Book of the Year to an International Reading Association Children's Choice. "Judy has taken on a life of her own," the author notes, with nearly 3 million Judy Moody books in print. Interestingly, the feisty third-grader is highly popular with boys and girls, making for a strong base of fans who are among Megan McDonald's strongest incentives to keep writing, along with "too many ideas and a little chocolate." And now -- by popular demand -- Judy Moody's little brother, Stink, gets his chance to star in his own adventures! Beginning with STINK: THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING KID, three more stories, and his own encyclopedia, STINK-O-PEDIA, Stink's special style comes through loud and strong -- enhanced by a series of comic strips, drawn by Stink himself, which are sprinkled throughout the first book. About the need for a book all about Stink, Megan McDonald says, "Once, while I was visiting a class full of Judy Moody readers, the kids, many with spiked hair à la Judy's little brother, chanted, 'Stink! Stink! Stink! Stink! Stink!' as I entered the room. In that moment, I knew that Stink had to have a book all his own."
More recently, Megan McDonald has recalled some of her own childhood with the warmth, humor -- and squabbles -- of three spunky sisters in THE SISTERS CLUB.
Megan McDonald and her husband live in Sebastopol, California, with two dogs, two adopted horses, and fifteen wild turkeys that like to hang out on their back porch.
For Megan McDonald, being able to speak up for herself wasn't always easy. She grew up as the youngest of five sisters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Her father, an ironworker, was known to his coworkers as "Little Johnny the Storyteller." Every evening at dinner the McDonalds would gather to talk and tell stories, but Megan McDonald was barely able to get a word in edgewise. "I'm told I began to stutter," she says, leading her mother to give her a notebook so she could start "writing things down."
Critically acclaimed, the Judy Moody books have won numerous awards, ranging from a PUBLISHERS WEEKLY Best Book of the Year to an International Reading Association Children's Choice. "Judy has taken on a life of her own," the author notes, with nearly 3 million Judy Moody books in print. Interestingly, the feisty third-grader is highly popular with boys and girls, making for a strong base of fans who are among Megan McDonald's strongest incentives to keep writing, along with "too many ideas and a little chocolate." And now -- by popular demand -- Judy Moody's little brother, Stink, gets his chance to star in his own adventures! Beginning with STINK: THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING KID, three more stories, and his own encyclopedia, STINK-O-PEDIA, Stink's special style comes through loud and strong -- enhanced by a series of comic strips, drawn by Stink himself, which are sprinkled throughout the first book. About the need for a book all about Stink, Megan McDonald says, "Once, while I was visiting a class full of Judy Moody readers, the kids, many with spiked hair à la Judy's little brother, chanted, 'Stink! Stink! Stink! Stink! Stink!' as I entered the room. In that moment, I knew that Stink had to have a book all his own."
More recently, Megan McDonald has recalled some of her own childhood with the warmth, humor -- and squabbles -- of three spunky sisters in THE SISTERS CLUB.
Megan McDonald and her husband live in Sebastopol, California, with two dogs, two adopted horses, and fifteen wild turkeys that like to hang out on their back porch.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 11, 2018
Iguana lives the good life with Alison, but she longed for something else. So, she left Alison in Schenectady and headed to Key West, where she enjoyed her vacation. Upon her return, she realized that she must visit Big Key Pine again, so whenever her skin starts to shed she knows that it's time to go on vacation.
August 11, 2019
Although her friend Alison Frogley treats her very well, Iguana feels that something is missing in her life. So she heads to Key West, FL for an adventure. But when she runs out of money, she begins to have problems.
February 21, 2018
Great book with some true facts about Iguanas as well as a sweet story about friendship.
August 1, 2022
A very cute book, I love the tongue in cheek reference to the Magic School Bus!!!
September 20, 2012
Lushly illustrated, this very unusual story features an iguana who craves the sand and sun, but also dearly loves the little girl she lives with.
While clearly a fantasy, Night actually teaches some basic information about iguanas and just how much rigorous care they require to stay healthy (information that clearly a lot of impulse iguana owners should consider!) McDonald's book also encourages compassion for those creatures unfortunate enough to end up in the stew pot. While travelling in South America, our iguana learns she's on the menu for a restaurant's iguana soup! It's no wonder she wants to high-tail it home!
This would be a fine book to spark discussion about iguanas specifically and the unforeseen demands of keeping an exotic pet such as a tropical lizard in the home.
Veg*n parents will want to take note that anchovy pizza is a favorite food of both the iguana and her young caretaker (even though iguanas are actually strict herbivores). Ice cream is also consumed in another scene, when the iguana shows signs of being calcium deficient.
While clearly a fantasy, Night actually teaches some basic information about iguanas and just how much rigorous care they require to stay healthy (information that clearly a lot of impulse iguana owners should consider!) McDonald's book also encourages compassion for those creatures unfortunate enough to end up in the stew pot. While travelling in South America, our iguana learns she's on the menu for a restaurant's iguana soup! It's no wonder she wants to high-tail it home!
This would be a fine book to spark discussion about iguanas specifically and the unforeseen demands of keeping an exotic pet such as a tropical lizard in the home.
Veg*n parents will want to take note that anchovy pizza is a favorite food of both the iguana and her young caretaker (even though iguanas are actually strict herbivores). Ice cream is also consumed in another scene, when the iguana shows signs of being calcium deficient.
July 15, 2014
A great story because who could blame anyone for wanting to warm up after a lifetime lived in Schenectady, NY? Ms. McDonald triumphs with great imagination in the journey the Iguana makes through career choices and travel plans. The artwork may prove a slight bit disturbing from a few children, but it's really, really good. Thanks, Ms. McDonald, and best wishes, too.
November 26, 2011
A long story
Although her friend Alison Frogley treats her very well, Iguana feels that something is missing in her life.
Although her friend Alison Frogley treats her very well, Iguana feels that something is missing in her life.
May 31, 2015
Beautiful illustrations.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews