Mallory on the Move

By Laurie Friedman and Tamara Schmitz

"Mallory is an appealing character who deserves a place alongside Junie B. Jones, Judy Moody, Amber Brown, and Clarice Bean." —School Library Journal

When eight-and-a-half-year-old Mallory McDonald's parents tell her that they are moving, she's mad—really mad! It's not fair! How can they make her move away from Mary Ann, her best friend in the whole wide world? Who will she paint her toenails with, tell secrets to, and make scrapbooks with? When Mallory arrives at her new house on Wish Pond Road, things are terrible. Her room is too small and the girl next door is mean. But Joey lives next door, too. Even though he doesn't paint his toes, he tells jokes, helps teach her cat to do tricks, and shows her how to skateboard. Mallory's having so much fun she forgets the pact she made with Mary Ann never to make friends with a boy next door. But, when Mary Ann comes to visit, what will Mallory do? Will she have to choose between her best friend and her new friend?

"Mallory is a lively, appealing character with a penchant for jokes (which are scattered throughout) and creative endeavors that have some comical, mixed results. Readers will relate to her thoughts and experiences, from familiar girlfriend activities and sibling issues to the rewards of friendships, old and new, near and far." —Booklist
"Readers . . . [will] find her—and Joey—likable characters worth revisiting." —Publishers Weekly

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media
• Release date: May 7, 2024
• ISBN: 9781467727280

Laurie Friedman

Laurie Friedman is the author of the popular Mallory series, The Mostly Miserable Life of April Sinclair series, and many award-winning picture books. She lives in Florida.

Book preview

A WORD FROM MALLORY

Moving is a big deal!

When you move, everything changes: your house, your neighborhood, your town, and, worst of all, your friends.

And no one asks if you want to move. It would be nice if your parents said: "Hey, we're thinking about moving. That means you'll have to get used to a new house in a new neighborhood in a new town. You'll have to make all new friends. But we won't do it unless it's OK with you. What do you say?" Nope. That's not how it happens at all.

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First, your parents start whispering to each other.

Then, they have lots of conversations behind closed doors.

Finally, the big day comes. Your parents tell you to sit down. They have an announcement to make. You're moving! And as fast as you can snap your fingers, it's all been decided for you.

I know. I'm Mallory McDonald (like the restaurant but no relation). Age 8 1/2 plus 1 month. And that's exactly what happened to me.

When my parents told me I had to move, I asked if they were joking. Everybody knows I love a good joke. But I knew with one look, it was no joke.

And then I got mad. REALLY MAD!

You ruined my life! I screamed at my parents. I'm not moving, and if you try to make me, I'm running away from home!

Mom told me that running away from home was the same thing as moving, except you have to cook all your own meals. I don't know how to cook.

That's when I knew I was stuck moving.

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PACKING

My room is filled with boxes.

Yesterday it was filled with stuffed animals and books and posters. Today it is filled with boxes that are filled with stuffed animals and books and posters.

I'm supposed to be filling more boxes with my stuff. But I don't get it. If I don't want to move, how come I'm stuck packing?

What I need is a helper. I yell from the top of the stairs.

Mom!

I wait for an answer. But I don't get one so I use my outdoor voice.

MOM!

She comes to the bottom of the stairs with an armload of boxes.

Hey, Mom, what's big and brown and empty?

Mallory, I don't have time for jokes, Mom says. We have to pack. We're moving in two days.

I know. But what's big and brown and empty?

Mom blows a piece of hair out of her mouth. What?

The boxes in my room! I laugh out loud.

Mallory, that's about as funny as an overflowing toilet.

I happen to think an overflowing toilet is hilarious. But I can see Mom doesn't.

Please go pack, she says.

But I don't want to move to Fern Falls. I whimper like a sad, cold puppy left outside in the rain.

Mom looks at me like she can't decide what to do. Then she puts her boxes down and walks up the stairs. Cheer up. She pats me on the head. I'll help.

I sit on the bed with my cat, Cheeseburger. We watch Mom take T-shirts and shorts from my drawers. She folds them neatly and puts them in a big box. When the box is full, she tapes it shut and writes Mallory's T-shirts and shorts on the outside with a fat purple marker.

I think over the plan Mary Ann and I came up with: Operation-Convince-My-Mom-that-Moving-and-Leaving-Behind-My-Best-Friend-Is-a-Bad-Idea.

Mom starts folding a pile of blue jeans.

I pull a clipboard and a pencil out of the drawer in my night table. Mom, I have something I need to discuss with you.

She stops folding.

I cross my toes. I hope this works.

Mary Ann and I have been planning this summer for a long time. We have a very busy schedule. I read from my clipboard.

"Mondays: paint toenails and cat claws.

Tuesdays: bake cookies and cat treats.

I smile at Mom. I don't tell her we'll need her help with the oven on Tuesdays.

"Wednesdays: work on our summer scrapbook.

Thursdays: go swimming!

I remember what Mary Ann told me. Just read the list. I don't mention to Mom that before we go swimming, we need to go bathing suit shopping.

Mary Ann said the best time to mention the bathing suit thing is on the way to the swimming pool.

"Fridays: sleepover at Mary Ann's house.

"Saturdays: sleepover at my house.

Sundays: watch movies in our pajamas all day.

I look up from my clipboard. Mom looks like she swallowed an olive.

I can't tell if that's a good sign or a bad sign. As you can see from this very busy schedule, I don't have time to move this summer. I shrug my shoulders. Sorry. Maybe we can talk again in the fall.

Mallory . . . Mom starts to say something. But I don't let

Reviews for Mallory on the Move

[agrudzien_5 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

When Mallory's parents tell her that they are moving three hours away, Mallory is not happy - it means leaving behind her house, her room, and her very best friend. She pinkie swears that she will not be friends with any boys in her new house, but when they arrive the only kid around is the boy next door. Surprisingly, he's a lot of fun and they become friends. Mallory gets into a bit of a jam when her best friend comes to visit and the three of them try to play together.

Mallory is a little less sassy than Junie B. or Piper Reed - so it would be a good book for those girls that are looking for someone more "real." Good messages about making new friends and adjusting to new situations - the weight of the message matches with the reading level of the book.

[jeriannthacker · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Mallory is forced to move to a new town and has troubles adjusting. Unremarkable series similar to Junie B.