Moxy Maxwell does not love Stuart Little

I am on the hunt for titles to recommend to developing readers. The good: a child admits they hate their summer reading book, and that being forced to read can actually have an effect on a child who loves to read otherwise. I enjoyed that there were to be consequences if Moxy did not finish the book (they were to be tested at school, she could not attend the after party at a swim demonstration).
The bad: I thought Moxy had a little too much “moxy” and it made her unlikeable to me. I also had a very hard time believing that Moxy was 9. At times, she seems way too mature in her plotting for the future. I didn't think she was cute or clever. There was way too much attention given over to the dogs-and lets face it, I was not reading to read about the dogs. The climax was a little off putting. Kind of like, oh, yeah, I DO like Stuart Little. And the twin with the camera who does not interact with the other characters comes off as strange.
Overall, I ended up adding this to the list in the hopes that a child who does not enjoy reading will appreciate the short chapters, the photographs, and the big print.