Step Fourth, Mallory!

Mallory McDonald #10

by Laurie B. Friedman, Jennifer Kalis (Illustrator)

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?

Genres: Childrens, Romance, Fiction, Realistic Fiction

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Laurie Friedman is the author and ghostwriter of over 300 award-winning picture books, easy readers, chapter books, and novels for young readers including the bestselling Mallory McDonald series, the Moose the Dog easy reader series, the Camp Creepy Lake and Wendy & Willow chapter books, and may picture books including Cows in the House and Love, Ruby Valentine.

Reviews

[Terry · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fairly enjoyable story about a girl who is having a hard time adjusting for fourth grade. As I was reading this, I kept thinking to myself ... "no, no, don't do that ... oh, no, you did it ... ahhhh!!!" Some of the pages were pretty funny and had me laughing. I thought the teacher was too strict/tough on Mallory, though I'm not a teacher, and maybe they really do have to be so stuffy in fourth grade, who knows?!? There were some illustrations, and they had a cartoon appearance(check out the picture on the cover, they're all sort of like that). Girls in third or fourth grade who like humorous stories might like this.

[thistle]

My child finds these both terrifying and fascinating because she doesn't know the topoi yet and, unlike Mallory, is nowhere near nine or ten. Heh. She does know that Mallory's plans are often unsound, but I have warned her cheerfully that while she's aged 8-12, she will probably forget how bad such plans are....

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

No review.

[Ashlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book because Mallory is going into 4th grade and her mom is teaching at her school so mallory has to deal with a new teacher and her mom being at her school as a music teacher.

[Precious]

didn't read yet

[Kryssy · Rating 4 out of 5]

**4.5**

Page graphics: a shoe and sleeping Cheeseburger

I’m kind of surprised there wasn’t a disappointed parents scene in this book. Especially since she needed to bring the conduct slip home. But it was nice having mr knight hop into that role.

I think it’s hilarious that mallory broke the rules in order.

C-lo is kind of the perfect introduction of a love interest for both of the girls. I wonder if we’ll have anything for joey

- Mallory has email now? Must be new because she and mary ann used to send letters
- New teacher at the school and he’s kind of strict
- Mallory and mary ann get to sit next to each other. Breaks rule #1. Which is a little unfair since she didn’t know them yet
- Another new kid. Carlos. Moved from mexico. Mallory is interested because he’s the only person she doesn’t know. Can’t stop looking at his smile
- Mallory is chosen to be a tour guide. After breaking rule #2. Upset mary ann and c-lo are bonding
- Daydream about c-lo. Wasn’t able to answer question when called on. Broke rule #3
- mallory hasn’t been able to tell mary ann that she likes c-lo. Almost sent an email. When she’s about to, mary ann says SHE likes c-lo
- Sets up d.c trip in the next book
- Mallory writes a note to mary announcing about how they need to match in dc. Gets caught and broke rule #4. Called to teachers desk after class.
- Assignment to write about a famous american… mallory writes about her teacher #5
- mallory helps max make a fashion decision after seeing a men’s episode of fashion fran. Mallory decides to email her teacher fashion advice. Would she like to receive this advice? Rule #6
- Sees d.c partner assignment sheet and notices it was written in pencil… i’m scared for mallory… i’m pretty sure this is rule #7… and 8
- Mallory explains everything and mr knight even gives advice. Along with a conduct slip to have parents sign
- Poem project. C-lo is having a hard time with rhyming so mr knight suggested to team up with mallory’s group.
- They actually go a good job and mr knight is proud
- Included emails back and forth with friends and even parents about all different things. This reminds me of what I used to do with my friends

[Joey Gremillion · Rating 2 out of 5]

WAY too preachy and Afterschool Special! I love this series for children. KEEP IT LIGHT, Ms. Friedman. Not every book has to have a moral message. Otherwise, WONDERFUL entertaining writing.

[Kim Burean · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I started reading this book, it held great promise. Overall, it was a good book. However, there was one thematic element that bothered me and would make it hard for me to recommend. The premise is that Mallory McDonald is starting 4th grade and she excited to meet her new teacher. The new teacher has certain rules and Mallory can't help herself but inadvertantly break them. That aspect of the book is great. Mallory keeps making mistakes where you want to yell at her through the book not to do that. It is really funny and she learns quite a bit overall.

The part I had a hard time with was that she has this big crush on a new boy and a good chunk of the book revolves around this crush. I just feel like a 9-year-old girl is not going to be that preoccupied with boys yet. Maybe I'm off-base, but I feel like that storyline is more fitting for a middle school story, not 4th grade. Maybe the author is having a hard time generating new conflict for her heroine, but I think the book would have been stronger without that piece.

[Sonia and Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Step Fourth Mallory is a great book!It's about a kid who has a strict teacher and she keeps breaking the rules of her teacher.She tries giving fashion advice to her teacher and more. But it never works out! She tries a lot of strategies for her teacher to like her more, but read the rest to find out which way works for.I'm not telling you...

[Sydney · Rating 5 out of 5]

mallory gets in trouble with mr knight her teacher. there's a boy in her class named carlos who she likes but mary ann is spending a lot of time with him. she does a washington monument project with carlos, mary ann, and pamela. mallory makes a poster for mr knight which apologizes for all the rules she broke.

[Horace Mann Family Reading Challenge · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good book. It reminded me of 4th grade! A.T.

[Brett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mallory is both appealing & realistic. The books contain lessons without being heavy.

[Hillvan]

730L