Judy Moody's family vacation to historical Boston prompts an epiphany: If the founding fathers didn't want "some grumpy old king to be the boss of [them]," why should Judy put up with dictatorial parents? Back at home she campaigns for her "alien rights," among them a higher allowance and freedom from brushing her hair. Staging a bathtub Boston Tea Party backfires, but shortly after Judy learns about Revolutionary War hero Sybil Ludington--Paul Revere's female counterpart--she finds herself instinctively performing a gutsy act that earns her parents' trust. A subplot involving a British acquaintance seems mostly a vehicle for humorous misinterpretations of slang (Judy assumes "two pounds of allowance" means a very heavy load of money), and not all the factual references are fully explained. But Judy's petitioning for parental concessions will spark recognition in many readers, and in both McDonald's charismatic narrative and Reynolds' line drawings the characterization of a dauntless, endearingly notional third-grader is as spot-on as ever. Jennifer Mattson Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved