Laurie B Friedman

When Mallory gets the lead in the school play, she cannot understand why her best friend Mary Ann is not just as excited as she is, but eventually she finds out--and learns who her real friends are.

Mallory's journal of her fourth-grade trip to Washington D.C. reveals how much fun she has, despite a loose tooth, being upset with her best friend Mary Ann and getting separated from her class in a museum.

When her best friends Mary Ann and Joey get caught up in the excitement of having a new baby brother, Mallory feels left out.

Taking on a babysitting job for twins, Mallory discovers that it is more work than she expected, a situation that teaches her to balance her babysitting duties with homework, friends, and a school poetry slam.

"Mallory is excited about the six-week arts electives program at Fern Falls Elementary--until she gets stuck in her last-choice elective, band. To make matters worse, she is assigned to the tuba, and when she plays, it sound more like passing gas than music. She dreads the showcase at the end of the program. But with some good guidance from her mom and her band teacher, Mallory learns the meaning of "practice makes perfect, " and that, in fact, making...

Mallory starts fifth grade and has to adjust to a new teacher, a tough school project, and trouble with her best friend that involves her brother Max.

Ten-year-old Mallory is not looking forward to the summer as her friends are either moving or away on vacation, but she soon learns that some changes can be good, and some things are forever.

Mallory is excited to participate in a new girls' basketball league, although she has never played and her best friends are not interested, but as the worst player on her team she realizes she has a lot to learn.

Diary entries reveal thirteen-year-old April Sinclair's complicated best-friend/love triangle, her new friendship, a busy dance team schedule, and a closer relationship with Matt Parker that surprises her and everyone else.

Percy Isaac Gifford shares birthday advice, from circling the day on the calendar to making wishes when blowing out birthday cake candles, reminding the reader that "growing is good."