#1 Mallory on the Move

I just read the sample and im 12 yrs old so I know how it feels and I think that this a good book for girls my age or younger.

Eight-year-old Mallory McDonald - not related to the restaurant McDonald's - is fed up. Her parents have decided that they're moving from their lovely home to a place that's three-hours away, where she will be all alone. Mallory doesn't want to leave her best friend behind, and she especially doesn't want to live next door to a...boy! But that's the way the cards were dealt, and now Mallory is forced to suffer the consequences of her parents ill-timed decision. When I ws younger I adored the AMBER BROWN books, and at first sight, Laurie Friedman's MALLORY ON THE MOVE reminded me exactly of that series. Mallory is a lovable young character, whose many moods, and crazy antics will win over fans of all ages. Young/Middle readers will find it easy to relate to the cheerful eight-year-old, while parents will be grappling for the next MALLORY book. A must read. Erika Sorocco Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper

Eight-year old Mallory McDonald is forced to move several hours away from her best friend. Mallory and Mary Ann are next-door-neighbors that do everything together. They love to paint their toenails blue, tell jokes about Mallory's older brother, and say everything three, three, three times! Mallory's family moves, despite her pitiful begging, to a new house where Mallory discovers her new neighbor is a boy! Yuck. Mallory promised Mary Ann that she would never become best friends with a boy. Once the family is settled, Mary Ann comes to visit Mallory in the new house. Although Mallory is quite loyal to her old friend, she discovers it hasn't been that easy to make new friends, but Joey has certainly been a cheerful companion when she is feeling blue. Perhaps three isn't a crowd... Mary Ann is quite deceptive with her many plots and schemes. Mallory is persuaded to do something that causes turmoil within the McDonald family. How far will she go to save this friendship? Most children would enjoy the book, although I found the plot to be quite predictable. Mallory's school life is never mentioned, which is a huge issue for children moving to a new town. As an older reader, I wished the parents had played a more crucial role in Mallory's move. It seemed as though she had to deal with many of her feelings alone. Her father does share the moral of the story near the end of the book as Mallory and Mary Ann realize they will never be neighbors again. "True friends are still friends even when you move apart and meet new people." I recommend the book for grades 2-5.

Tamara Schmitz provides the engaging black and white cartoon drawings to Laura Friedman's story of Mallory McDonald, who does not want to move and change her life. Kids in grades 4-7 will find this a believable, funny story of a determined girl who decides to make the most of her new life under any circumstances in Mallory On The Move.

Bravo to Mrs. Friedman - she has done it again! Mrs. Friedman knows children, how they think, and what motivates them. My daughters and I enjoyed reading this book together every night. Mallory's life inspired some great conversations and many laughs along the way. I can't wait to read the next installation and to discover what adventures Mrs. Friedman has in store for this fiesty young woman.