Thursday, November 5, 2009

Meet Mallory: A (Not-So) New Series for Pre-Teen Girls

Where, oh where, have I been these past several years? The "Mallory" series has been around since 2004 and this is the first I've heard of her... I'm ashamed of myself!!! So, before any other girls/readers have the opportunity to pass by Mallory, here are a few recommendations in a series of many!

Friedman, Laurie.
Step Forth, Mallory!
September 2009.
Lerner Publishing Group.

Guided Reading Level: O

Summary from Barnes & Noble:

It's a new school year for Mallory and everything's perfect! She has a new computer, a pair of just-right back-to-school shoes, and her best friend, Mary Ann, is in her class. But somehow things go from perfectly good to perfectly bad. Mallory's first crush is the same boy Mary Ann likes—and Mary Ann gets all his attention. And even though she has the right shoes, Mallory somehow gets off on the wrong foot with her teacher, Mr. Knight. Can Mallory find a way to turn things around and put her best foot forward?

Fourth-grader Mallory believes she's all set to embark on a new school year. And your daughter(s) will also feel the same way, after reading this and knowing that there are other girls out there experiencing the same emotions as themselves! I've worked a lot with fourth-grade girls and let me tell you, the summer between third and fourth grade marks a change in hormones for these young girls! They suddenly become thrilled with the notion of "girlfriend-boyfriend" status. This delicate topic, coupled with the comic-like illustrations (similar to those found in the popular Diary of a Wimpy Kid) will make this book a hit with pre-teen girls! Selling at a reasonable $5.95 at Amazon.com, one can't go wrong with trying this series out with pre-teen girls this holiday season!

Friedman, Laurie.
Campfire Mallory.
February 2009.
Lerner Publishing Group.

Guided Reading Level: O

Summary from Barnes & Noble:

It's summertime and the Wish Pond Road gang is getting ready to go to Camp Blue Lake. Mallory's not so sure she wants to go. What if she gets homesick or none of the other kids like her? Her best friends, Mary Ann and Joey, convince her how fun it will be to go swimming, boating, and roast marshmallows over a campfire. But when Mallory arrives at camp, nothing goes as planned. Will Mallory ever find a way to be a happy camper?

I've had this book hanging around the shelves for quite some time now, awaiting review... I wish I had gotten to it sooner - perhaps over the summer, when it seems a most-appropriate read! However, if you have a pre-teen daughter/niece who's a reader and are in need of a great gift idea, let this series be the new gift of choice! It's a perfect stocking stuffer come Christmas this year (at the low cost of $5.95 at Amazon.com). Despite the summer-camp theme, middle-grade girls will love this book year round... heck, it might even get them anxious for next summer's summer camp! This book would also be an appropriate going-away gift for a young girl attending summer camp for the first time next summer!

Friedman, Laurie.
Red, White & True Blue Mallory.
April 2009.
Lerner Publishing Group.

Guided Reading Level: O

Summary from Barnes & Noble:

Mallory is in Washington, D.C. with her fourth grade class. She can't wait to see the famous monuments and museums. But from the moment she sets foot in the nation's capital, there's one thing she doesn't see much of . . . her best friend. Mary Ann is spending so much time with the new boy in their class, she's forgotten all about being partners with Mallory. And when Mallory wanders off to wiggle her loose tooth, her tooth isn't the only thing that is lost! Will Mallory's trip to Washington turn out to be one she'll always remember or something she'd rather forget?


Here in NY, government is a part of the fourth-grade social studies curriculum. It's not hugely touched upon, but enough so that this book would be more than appropriate for fourth-grade girls to read! Being that it's part of a continuing series, I think your girls would be more than eager to pick this book up and read, despite it's educational emphasis! Girls will love the idea of the class trip to Washington, D.C. The book itself is very eductional, while seemingly pleasure-reading at the same time! This is a must-have book (and series) especially if the little girls in your life are reading fans!

If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com.

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