Back to School, Mallory

Back to School, Mallory (Mallory #2)

Laurie Friedman, illustrated by Tamara Schmitz

Carolrhoda, 2005

$5.95, Paperback

978-1575058658

February 8^th, 2012

Genre: Realistic, School Story, Humor

Age: 7+

Description: Mallory is starting her new school with one unfortunately addition most kids beginning a new school don’t have to deal with—her mother is the new music teacher and will be going to school with her! Her desk mate is beloved by all, Joey hangs out with the other boys and ignores Mallory, and Mallory gets stuck with the worst role in the school play that is being directed by her mom!

Opinion: This series attracted my attention because of the fun covers which are featured on all the books (currently up to 18 volumes). Like the quote from School Library Journal on the back cover says, “Mallory is an appealing character who deserves a place among Junie B. Jones, Judy Moody, Amber Brown, and Clarice Bean.” I wholeheartedly agree. Mallory is a character any child, from late elementary school age to older tween age, can relate too. The topics of the books are very pertinent to young readers’ lives. Each book of the Mallory series continues to offer something new to the experience of a young girl that everyone can relate too. While Mallory might seem whiny at times, it is all just a testament to how great Friedman got the self-absorbed worldview of an eight-year-old girl down. Each book begins with an introduction to the reader from Mallory and usually incorporates handwritten letters or emails to friends within the pages. Each book also ends with a special ending of something relating to the story—such as class pictures, scrapbooks of photos from the events, Valentine’s Mallory received from her friends, instructions for things, and so on. Everyone will find a little piece of themselves in Mallory.