The Melting of Maggie Bean
| Company type | Children's novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 2007 |
| Founder | Tricia Rayburn |
| Products | Book |
| Parent | Simon & Schuster (Aladdin MIX imprint) |
The Melting of Maggie Bean is a children's novel authored by Tricia Rayburn and released in 2007. The narrative centers on Maggie Bean's journey to lose weight and secure a place on her school's synchronized swim team.
Plot
Seventh grader Maggie Bean confronts difficulties following her father's unemployment and her family's financial hardships. To manage, she keeps her grades average while indulging in chocolate. Her circumstances change when she auditions for the synchronized swim team, fulfilling a long-held ambition. Encouraged by her friend Aimee, Maggie sets a goal to reduce nearly 20 pounds from her starting weight of 186 to fit in socially and earn a spot on the team. She also becomes part of the "Pound Patrollers," a group for heavier students, where she befriends Arnie, the cousin of Peter Applewood. Although Maggie develops a closer bond with Peter, a well-liked baseball player, their relationship remains strictly friendly. Despite excelling at the tryouts, she faces rejection from team captains Julia and Anabel, which leads to feelings of discouragement. Later, a gym teacher offers Maggie membership on either the Water Wings or the regular swim team; she opts for the latter. Concurrently, Maggie supports her father as he works toward regaining employment.
Characters
Maggie Bean is a seventh-grade student dealing with her father's job loss. She is an honor student who harbors a crush on baseball player Peter Applewood and copes with stress through overeating.
Peter Applewood serves as Maggie's friendly locker neighbor and object of affection, known for his popularity on the baseball team. Although Aimee suspects his interest lies with Julia Swanson, this proves to be incorrect.
Arnie is Peter's cousin who is overweight and whom Maggie meets in the Pound Patrollers club. He plays the flute and dreams of launching his own business.
Aimee McDougall is Maggie's athletic best friend who supports her synchronized swimming goals. Despite being more popular and attractive, she remains a steadfast ally.
Anabel Richards and Julia Swanson are seventh-grade leaders and co-captains of the Water Wings. Julia openly displays hostility toward Maggie, whereas Anabel offers some encouragement but still excludes her from the team.
Summer Bean is Maggie's ten-year-old sister who provides emotional support.
Aunt Violetta encourages Maggie to join the Pound Patrollers as part of her effort to lose weight.
Development and publication
Tricia Rayburn initiated writing this novel during college as part of a Reading and Writing Children's Literature course, drawing inspiration from her own youth. After finishing the initial project, she continued refining it into her MFA thesis. Following submissions to several agents, she unexpectedly received a swift positive reply and signed with the Writers House agency.
Collaborating with agent Rebecca Sherman, Rayburn revised the manuscript significantly, including changing the main character’s name from Lucy Moon to Maggie Bean due to previous usage elsewhere. The book was subsequently acquired by Simon & Schuster and published as one of six inaugural titles under their Aladdin MIX imprint.
Reception
The novel received commendations from Entertainment Weekly, Kliatt, and Teens Read Too for its authentic depiction. Kliatt emphasized Maggie's lively character and the depth of the supporting cast, whereas Entertainment Weekly characterized Maggie as "resourceful," albeit somewhat straightforward in portrayal.
Described as "thoughtful" and "empowering" by School Library Journal, the book was also called "engaging" and "earnest" by Kliatt. Teens Read Too honored it with a 5-star rating and a Gold Award, highlighting its motivational impact. Meanwhile, Entertainment Weekly assigned it a "B" grade.