Play It Again, Mallory
#20 of 28 in Mallory Series
What’s inside...
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 sounds 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 music can be lots of fun.
Character compass
Mallory Mcdonald
Joey Winston
Mary Ann
Discussion points
How do you think Mallory felt when things didn't go as planned?
What are some ways Mallory tried to solve her problems in the story?
Can you think of a time when you had to try something more than once to succeed? How did it make you feel?
Why do you think perseverance is important in achieving goals?
How did Mallory's friends and family help her throughout the story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate to Mallory by sharing personal experiences where resilience led to success.
Discuss the importance of support from friends and family in overcoming challenges, drawing parallels to the child's own support system.
Highlight specific scenes where Mallory faced setbacks and ask how your child might have handled the situation differently.
Use encouraging language to reinforce the value of persistence, like 'Mallory kept trying just like you can.'
After reading, engage in an activity that requires practice and patience, connecting it back to Mallory’s experiences in the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: Mallory faces challenges with her piano recital preparation, but she keeps practicing despite difficulties.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of persisting through challenges and not giving up on their goals, whether it's mastering a new skill or completing a difficult school project.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: Mallory showcases responsibility by committing to her piano lessons and practice sessions, demonstrating the value of sticking to commitments.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to take their commitments seriously, whether it's completing homework on time or fulfilling household chores.
Example Lesson: Dealing with Disappointment
Explanation: Mallory learns to cope with feelings of disappointment when things don’t go as planned with her recital.
Real-World Application: Children are taught to handle and overcome disappointment, learning to adapt and find joy in the effort rather than just the outcome.
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: Throughout the story, Mallory learns to understand and empathize with her peers’ feelings and viewpoints.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children develop stronger relationships by teaching them to consider and respect others' feelings and perspectives.
Example Lesson: Self-Expression
Explanation: Mallory uses music as a form of self-expression and finds joy in sharing this with others.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to explore and express themselves through creative outlets like music, art, or writing, enhancing emotional intelligence and self-awareness.