Happy New Year, Mallory!
#12 of 28 in Mallory Series
What’s inside...
When a bad stomachache sends Mallory to the hospital during a winter reunion with neighbor Mary Ann and their summer camp bunkmates, she is sad that her friends seem to be having great fun without her. It's New Year's Eve and Mallory can't wait to celebrate! Her camp friends are coming to Fern Falls and she and Mary Ann have planned out every last detail for a perfect winter reunion and New Year's Eve party. But what Mallory hadn't planned on is getting sick. Poor Mallory has to ring in the New Year in the hospital instead of at home with her friends and family. Mallory thinks she's missing out on all the fun. Is this the beginning of the worst year ever, or is Mallory in for a big New Year’s surprise?
Discussion points
How do you think Mallory felt when her plans for New Year's Eve didn't go as expected?
What are some ways Mallory tried to solve her problem in the story?
Why is it important to be flexible and adapt when things don’t go according to plan?
Can you think of a time when you had to change your plans and do something different? How did you feel?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive read-aloud techniques to emphasize the emotions Mallory experiences, enhancing the child's understanding and empathy.
Encourage your child to talk about their own experiences with unexpected changes or disappointments and relate them back to Mallory’s story.
Discuss the importance of resilience and how adapting to new situations can lead to unexpected fun or learning.
Encourage your child to think about what they would have done in Mallory's situation, fostering problem-solving skills and creative thinking.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of resilience
Explanation: Mallory faces several challenges as she navigates her way through her New Year resolutions, showing persistence despite obstacles.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to persevere through their personal challenges, whether in academics, sports, or relationships.
Example Lesson: Value of friendship
Explanation: Throughout the story, Mallory relies on her friends and works through conflicts, which emphasizes the importance of supportive relationships.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to nurture their friendships, resolve conflicts amicably, and appreciate diverse opinions.
Example Lesson: Setting and achieving goals
Explanation: Mallory sets specific New Year resolutions, which helps her focus on personal growth and achievement throughout the book.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to set manageable goals and work towards achieving them, fostering a sense of accomplishment and responsibility.
Example Lesson: Learning from mistakes
Explanation: Mallory makes mistakes as she tries to fulfill her resolutions, but each mistake is a learning opportunity that contributes to her growth.
Real-World Application: This teaches children that making mistakes is a natural part of learning and helps them embrace challenges without fear of failure.
Example Lesson: Importance of honesty
Explanation: In her journey, Mallory learns the importance of being honest with herself and others, which helps in building trust and integrity.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to value honesty in their daily interactions, leading to more authentic and trusting relationships.