Mallory McDonald Books in Order

How to Read the Mallory McDonald Series

The best way to read the Mallory McDonald series is in publication order. Because Mallory grows up, moves to a new neighborhood, makes new friends, and progresses through school grades, reading the books in order allows young readers to experience her developmental milestones naturally. She starts the series at eight-and-a-half years old in Mallory on the Move and concludes her journey as a ten-and-a-half-year-old fifth grader who is learning to babysit and give back to her community.

Mallory McDonald Books in Publication Order

Each of the 28 chapter books builds on Mallory's relationships, school trials, and life changes. Here is the complete list of books in the order they were published:

1. Mallory on the Move (2004) – Mallory deals with the stress of moving to a new neighborhood on Wish Pond Road and leaving her best friend, Mary Ann.
2. Back to School, Mallory (2004) – Starting at a new school is tough, especially when Mallory's mother becomes the music teacher.
3. Mallory vs. Max (2004) – Sibling rivalry takes center stage as Mallory clashes with her older brother, Max.
4. Happy Birthday, Mallory! (2005) – Mallory turns nine and deals with the ups and downs of planning her birthday party.
5. In Business with Mallory (2006) – Desperate to buy a new purse, Mallory tries her hand at starting her own business.
6. Mallory on Board (2006) – A family cruise vacation brings fun, seasickness, and new friendship trials.
7. Heart to Heart with Mallory (2006) – Valentine's Day brings challenges when Mallory's friend Joey gets a mysterious card.
8. Honestly, Mallory! (2007) – Mallory tries to figure out what she is good at for a school career day.
9. Campfire Mallory (2008) – Mallory heads to summer camp but finds that outdoor life is not as easy as she hoped. This book also marks the transition to illustrator Jennifer Kalis.
10. Step Fourth, Mallory! (2008) – Entering the fourth grade brings new rules, new teachers, and a crush on the same boy as her best friend.
11. Red, White & True Blue Mallory (2009) – Mallory visits Washington, D.C., but her trip is complicated by friendship drama.
12. Happy New Year, Mallory! (2009) – Resolving to make the new year great proves difficult when things start going wrong.
13. Mallory Goes Green! (2010) – Mallory becomes passionate about environmental activism and tries to get her school and family to recycle.
14. Mallory in the Spotlight (2010) – Mallory gets a part in a school play but must learn how to share the stage.
15. Mallory's Guide to Boys, Brothers, Dads, and Dogs (2010) – A special guide book where Mallory shares her advice on handling the males in her life.
16. Mallory's Super Sleepover (2011) – Planning the perfect sleepover turns chaotic with competing party ideas.
17. Oh Boy, Mallory (2012) – Mallory's friendship with Joey is tested when they both work on a school project together.
18. Mallory McDonald, Super Snoop (2012) – Mallory goes undercover to investigate mysteries around her house and school.
19. Mallory and Mary Ann Take New York (2012) – An exciting trip to New York City tests Mallory and Mary Ann's bond in a big city.
20. Play It Again, Mallory (2013) – Mallory takes up a musical instrument but struggles to find the discipline to practice.
21. Three's Company, Mallory! (2014) – Navigating a three-way friendship group proves trickier than Mallory expected.
22. Mallory McDonald, Baby Expert (2014) – Mallory has to adjust to major changes when a new baby enters the neighborhood circle.
23. Game Time, Mallory! (2015) – Joining a sports team teaches Mallory about teamwork, winning, and losing.
24. Change is in the Air, Mallory (2015) – Big changes are coming to Wish Pond Road, and Mallory must find a way to adapt.
25. On the Road with Mallory (2016) – A family road trip brings unexpected detours and memorable adventures.
26. High Five, Mallory! (2016) – Mallory enters the fifth grade, marking a major milestone in her academic and personal journey.
27. Super Sitter (2017) – Mallory takes on her first real job babysitting twin toddlers, learning how hard work can be.
28. Mallory Makes a Difference (2017) – Mallory looks for ways to give back and make a positive impact on her school and community.

Key Characters and Series Nuances

Unlike some children's book series that can be read completely out of order, the Mallory McDonald books maintain a steady chronological progression. The core group of characters develops throughout the run:

• Mallory McDonald: The spirited, joke-loving protagonist who loves cheeseburgers and her cat, Cheeseburger.
• Max McDonald: Mallory's older brother, who often serves as her main antagonist at home but supports her when it counts.
• Mary Ann: Mallory's original best friend from her old town. Their long-distance friendship is a recurring theme.
• Joey: Mallory's next-door neighbor and close friend on Wish Pond Road, who introduces her to skateboarding.

What to Know Before You Start

Written by Laurie Friedman and published by Darby Creek (a division of Lerner Publishing Group), this series is designed primarily for readers aged 7 to 10. The books are written in an engaging format with occasional journal entries, lists, and doodles that make them highly accessible for transitional readers. The stories handle real-world children's issues—such as moving, changing schools, sibling rivalry, and evolving friendship dynamics—with humor and lightheartedness. There are no spin-offs, side stories, or co-authored books to keep track of; the main 28-book series contains the entirety of Mallory's adventures.