Laurie B. Friedman

After a difficult year, Mallory plans a month-long celebration of her ninth birthday in hopes that her next year will be wonderful.

"When Mallory wins Fashion Fran's design contest, she and Mary Ann are headed to New York City! But as they share the sights, sounds, and tastes of New York, there's just one problem. Only Mallory gets to appear on the Fashion Fran show, even though she pinky-swore with Mary Ann that they'd both go on. Can Mallory find a way to share the spotlight with her best friend before the pinky-swear she made ruins the trip of a lifetime--and their friendship?"--...

After moving to a new town, eight-year-old Mallory keeps throwing stones in the "Wishing Pond" but things will not go back to the way they were before, and she remains torn between old and new best friends.

When Mallory's mother refuses to buy her a purse, Mallory tries a series of businesses in order to make money and buy it herself.

Despite her fears of being a "third wheel," Mallory goes on a cruise for the wedding of the mother and father of her two best friends.

Ruby's pets compete for her affection on Valentine's Day.

Young Percy Isaac Gifford provides a list of ten rules for getting the most out of Thanksgiving Day, especially how best to enjoy the buffet.

"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...

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

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.