Mal's Diary (Disney Descendants)
Disney Descendants Series
on Goodreads (910)
What’s inside...
Mal's life takes a dramatic turn when she and her friends are forced to leave their home and attend a prep school where they are disliked by everyone. To make matters even more challenging, Mal's mother, who is extremely evil, expects her daughter to assist in her destructive plans. However, everything changes for Mal when she meets someone amazing, making her life not just difficult but exhilarating. For anyone who wants to know more about what Mal is really thinking, this diary gives readers a special glimpse inside her world with super-secret journal entries and Mal's doodles and drawings. Plus bonus pages for the reader to write down her own thoughts and feelings!
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-9
Length
192 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think Mal feels when she struggles between being good and being evil? What would you do in her situation?
What qualities make someone a true leader? Do you see any of those qualities in Mal or the other characters?
How important is friendship in overcoming challenges? Can you share an example from the book where friendship made a difference?
What do you think about the idea of 'legacy'? How do the characters handle the expectations placed on them because of their parents?
If you were in Auradon, which character would you want to be friends with and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start by sharing your own thoughts and feelings about the book's theme to create an open environment for dialogue. Ask open-ended questions that encourage your child to think deeply about the characters and their decisions. Listen actively to your child’s responses and validate their feelings, showing it's safe to express different opinions. Connect discussions to real-life situations or personal experiences to make them more relatable. Encourage your child to imagine alternative endings or different decisions characters could have made to engage their creative thinking.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding consequences
Explanation: Throughout 'Mal's Diary', Mal learns that her actions, whether good or bad, have consequences that affect not just herself but those around her.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to think about the outcomes of their actions and consider how what they do can impact others in their family, school, and community.
Example Lesson: Value of friendship
Explanation: Mal's interactions and adventures with her friends highlight the importance of trust, support, and loyalty in friendships.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to build strong, supportive relationships with their peers and understand the role of trust and teamwork in friendships.
Example Lesson: Embracing uniqueness
Explanation: The book portrays Mal as a unique character with her own strengths and weaknesses, encouraging readers to embrace their individuality.
Real-World Application: Children can be inspired to appreciate their own differences and those of others, promoting self-confidence and acceptance in diverse settings.
Example Lesson: Resolving conflicts
Explanation: Mal faces various challenges and conflicts throughout the story and learns to navigate them diplomatically and thoughtfully.
Real-World Application: This teaches children effective ways to handle disagreements and conflicts in their everyday interactions with others.
Example Lesson: Growth and redemption
Explanation: As the story progresses, Mal evolves from her villainous heritage towards a more heroic character, demonstrating that people can change for the better.
Real-World Application: This lesson can encourage children to believe in second chances and personal growth, understanding that it's never too late to make positive changes.