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The Real McCoys (The Real McCoys, 1) Paperback – Illustrated, November 6, 2018

by Matthew Swanson (Author), Robbi Behr (Illustrator)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 164 ratings
Editors' pick Best Books Ages 6-8
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The first book in an illustrated middle-grade series in which a precocious detective solves mysteries with her super-smart little brother.

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?

Bursting with interactive illustrations on every page, Matthew Swanson and Robbi Behr’s The Real McCoys delivers clever storytelling, laugh-out-loud humor, and heartwarming insight. This is the first book in a series.

Don't miss book two:
The Real McCoys: Two's a Crowd

An Imprint Book

Praise for The Real McCoys:

A Junior Library Guild Selection

"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

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Previous page
  1. Reading age
    7 - 10 years, from customers
  2. Book 1 of 3
    The Real McCoys
  3. Print length
    352 pages
  4. Language
    English
  5. Grade level
    Preschool - 2
  6. Lexile measure
    830L
  7. Dimensions
    5.15 x 0.95 x 7.6 inches
  8. Publisher
    Square Fish
  9. Publication date
    November 6, 2018
  10. ISBN-10
    125009853X
  11. ISBN-13
    978-1250098535
  12. See all details
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New in teachers' picks. More children's books by grade. New in teachers' picks. More children's books by grade.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for The Real McCoys:

A Junior Library Guild Selection

"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

Praise for Everywhere, Wonder:

"A sweeping exploration of imagination, appreciation, and possibility."―Publishers Weekly

“Swanson's fanciful and whimsical exploration of the meeting of imagination and story is strengthened by the jewel-toned colors and sheer scope of Behr's illustrations.” ―Kirkus Reviews

"A tribute to the power of imagination awaiting those who are open to the marvels that surround them." ―School Library Journal

Praise for Babies Ruin Everything:

"Babies Ruin Everything speaks to that older brother or sister, telling them, simply: 'I hear you. This is hard' This is a wonderfully empathetic and funny book that doesn't talk down to older siblings and their real struggles having their world turned upside down. I love my little sister, but if I was still three, I'd probably be trying to sell her to you." ―Kate Beaton, author and illustrator of The Princess and the Pony and the #1 New York Times bestseller Hark! A Vagrant

"A fun read that can empower big sisters and brothers to make the most of their new family roles." ―School Library Journal

About the Author

When Matthew Swanson and Robbi Behr aren’t making books (Babies Ruin Everything; Everywhere, Wonder; and the Real McCoys series) and raising kids (four, so far, which is probably enough), they run a commercial salmon fishing operation on the Alaskan tundra, where Robbi has spent every summer since she was two years old.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Square Fish; Reprint edition (November 6, 2018)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 125009853X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1250098535
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 7 - 10 years, from customers
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 830L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ Preschool - 2
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 9.5 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.15 x 0.95 x 7.6 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 164 ratings

About the authors

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Previous page
  1. Matthew Swanson

    Matthew Swanson

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    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Author/illustrator, husband/wife duo Matthew Swanson and Robbi Behr are co-creators of the critically acclaimed and exuberantly illustrated mystery series The Real McCoys, the forthcoming Cookie Chronicles series (spring 2021), and the picture books Sunrise Summer; Babies Ruin Everything, and Everywhere, Wonder—in addition to 60 or so self-published books for children and adults.

    Matthew and Robbi spend their summers running a commercial salmon fishing operation on the Alaskan tundra and the rest of the year writing books, visiting schools, speaking at conferences, and living in the hayloft of an old barn on the Eastern Shore of Maryland with their four kids and no pets.

    See more on the author's page
  2. Robbi Behr

    Robbi Behr

    Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Author/illustrator, husband/wife duo Matthew Swanson and Robbi Behr are co-creators of the critically acclaimed and densely illustrated mystery series The Real McCoys, the forthcoming Cookie Chronicles series (spring 2021), and the picture books Sunrise Summer; Babies Ruin Everything, and Everywhere, Wonder--in addition to 60 or so self-published books for children and adults.

    Robbi is the illustrator/wife half of the duo who specializes in book illustration and design, book production on dining room tables, software and hardware troubleshooting for a home business with two full-time employees (Matthew and herself) and four unpaid but extremely demanding interns (their children), miscellaneous excruciating paperwork, making difficult phone calls and chit-chatting about creativity and collaboration in front of crowds of children or adults. She is also a fine commercial fisherman, with all the associated rope-tying and fish-killing skills.

    See more on the author's page
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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
164 global ratings
A Mystery with Moxie
5 Stars
A Mystery with Moxie
Our 9 YO daughter read The Real McCoys over Christmas break. She loved it so much that she filled out her first book recommendation for the school library. She can’t wait to read the next one!
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Top reviews from the United States

Crabalocker Fishwife
5.0 out of 5 stars An elementary school caper with lots of surprises
Reviewed in the United States on November 27, 2017
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This is a delightful book. I started reading it with my six year-old, but he soon zoomed ahead of me, curious to discover what might happen next in the halls of Tiddlywhump Elementary School. Moxie and Milton are exactly the kind of creative, funny, lovable kids that my own child would want to befriend. Indeed, they became my son's friends for 15 whole chapters. He finished the book a few days ago, and has already begun to read it again. Unlike many heavily illustrated books for middle readers, the dialog flows in sequence down the page, making it both visually satisfying and easy for young readers to follow. The whimsical pictures helped the prose to jump off the page, and the plot twists kept us turning pages.

We can't wait to read more about the adventures of Moxie and Milton as they continue to solve mysteries and to make us smile.
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Kate
5.0 out of 5 stars Smart, funny, well-written and illustrated. Our whole family loves it.
Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2021
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Moxie is, well, full of moxie in this fun, funny and clever mystery. We read it aloud at night before bed and both my 6 and 9 year olds love every page. We laugh at the well-developed characters and I'm appreciative of the multi-layered meanings. Enough to keep an adult engaged while also entertaining everyone. Matt and Robbi are amazing. We can't wait to read the next two in the series!
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Calvin
5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding
Reviewed in the United States on December 18, 2017
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The Real McCoys is the real deal. This is easily the best new children’s literature that my son (age 7) and I have read in a long time. We are both avid readers and had more difficulty putting this book down than any other since we read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory over a year ago. The plot and language are outstanding. The integration of illustrations with text on EVERY page is incredibly well-done and draws the reader into the story even further. The mystery left us guessing right up the big reveal at the book’s climax. (Being the smug adult, I thought I knew the culprit — nope!) The subplots are all about elementary school culture and social trials. I would recommend it for kids in grades 2-4 (maybe 5). It does portray first graders as very little kids, which may be a turnoff to students below 2nd grade.
Being the good detectives that we now are (inspired by Moxie, of course), we lovingly inspected the fine print and cover upon finishing the book. There, on the spine, we discovered the number “1.” We are in high hopes that this designates this as the first installment of a series. We will preorder them all.
This may be our gift of choice for many birthday parties to come.
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Reader2008
5.0 out of 5 stars Most of the children I know are well below "middle grade" but I have no doubt that they will enjoy hearing the mystery-solving adventures of Moxie and Milton read ...
Reviewed in the United States on November 21, 2017
Verified Purchase
I have already purchased six copies of this book to give as gifts - and anticipate buying many more. Most of the children I know are well below "middle grade" but I have no doubt that they will enjoy hearing the mystery-solving adventures of Moxie and Milton read aloud to them while they are engrossed in the illustrations. I haven't encountered any other book that integrates words and images so seamlessly, creatively - and beautifully. The characters are real, wonderfully imperfect and lovable. The humor and wit work at multiple levels - adults and children alike will find it delightfully entertaining, but for different reasons. I am already eager for more of Moxie and Milton (and I am well above middle grade).
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fgong
5.0 out of 5 stars Readers ages 6-10 will love it!
Reviewed in the United States on December 8, 2017
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The Real McCoys was really great! I loved it! Moxie and Milton McCoy attend Tiddlywhump Elementry where the beloved mascot, Eddie the owl, has gone missing! I really liked Moxie’s sense of humor. She is really funny. I really liked reading it because I can relate to both Moxie and Milton. I liked all of the characters. There is a reasonable amount. The story is written in a way that makes you feel like Moxie is talking to you. You feel like you’re part of the story. It is a pretty realistic book -- I could see myself doing all the things Moxie does. It makes a great read-aloud! I think readers ages 6 to10 would love it. Moxie is funny, smart, ”really humble”. Milton is smart. I think everyone who reads this will love it! -F. Gong, age 10
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Elysa
4.0 out of 5 stars Very cute read!
Reviewed in the United States on November 18, 2019
The highly opinionated Moxie McCoy has the biggest challenge of the century! Someone kidnapped their beloved school mascot Eddie the Owl and Moxie is on the case. However, Moxie has to fly solo on this case because her crime-solving best friend has moved away.  As Moxie interviews her classmates as possible suspects and potential best friends, she discovers a few new things about the people in her life. Will Moxie be able the solve the disappearance of Eddie?

The book was a cute read with fun illustrations. I love the relationship between Moxie and her brother, Milton.  The mystery behind Eddie's disappearance was an emotional rollercoaster as Moxie tried to figure out who the culprit was. I look forward to reading the other books in the series.
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Brian T.
5.0 out of 5 stars A True Gift for a Child!
Reviewed in the United States on August 5, 2020
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My often-distracted boy was locked into this book series from beginning to end. He would literally BEG me daily to read more--a request I've RARELY heard! Not only is the overall storyline an enthralling spiral of electric twists and turns, engaging kids throughout, but the illustrations are captivating to boot! As a parent, I so appreciated the large vocabulary words scattered brilliantly throughout the pages. I never thought I'd hear my seven year old work "flugelhorn" into daily conversation, but that has been one of the souvenirs taken away from this series--his vocabulary has grown tremendously. What a gift these books are to a child!
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Stephen Haske
5.0 out of 5 stars When does the next one come out?!?
Reviewed in the United States on December 18, 2017
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Amazing book. Robbi Behr's humorous illustrations blend seamlessly with Matthew Swanson clever words. Every page is jam packed with charm, motivating you to both turn the pages fast to know what happens and linger to enjoy the details. We read it aloud with our two boys (9 & 11) and they both really enjoyed it. They sat close to see the pages, and begged to keep reading when it came time to go to bed. The best part was the real emotions it stirred in them - vigorously guesses at who did it, annoyance at Moxie's overzealousness, desire to read more about Annabelle Adams, and laughter at the many jokes. Worthy of a second read to enjoy those details and reoccurring jokes more!
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Top reviews from other countries

Morgan Murray
5.0 out of 5 stars Tons of Fun!
Reviewed in Canada on December 12, 2017
Verified Purchase
My dad force-fed me all the Hardy Boys growing up, which were okay, but I never could quite figure out why they called each other chum. I was more of an Encyclopedia Brown kid--I loved those books--yours is fun like those books were but turned up to 11.
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