Red, White & True Blue Mallory

By: Laurie Friedman
Publisher: Carolrhoda Books
Publication Date: March 2010
ISBN: 978-0761339465
Reviewed by: Deb Fowler
Review Date: March 2010

The wheels on the bus go `round and `round, `round and `round and this time Mallory and her fourth grade classmates were headed 120 miles to Washington, D.C. on a field trip. Mary Ann was her best friend and designated partner for the trip, a trip that was going to be a lot of fun. Mr. Knight, their teacher said they were going to have to write a journal about their four-day trip. It seemed like the trip was going to take 4-ever, but they finally arrived at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Mallory decided to name her journal "Martha" after you know who. Mary Ann, who would prove to be a little more than annoying during the trip, hopped off the bus when she saw the White House and said, "Wow! Wow! Wow! White! White! White!" Such genius.

Mrs. Brooks, one of those TMI sort of teachers, even interrupted Henry, the tour guide at the White House Visitor Center with stuff like, "Let me just add that this room seats as many as 140 people." Of course anyone in the know would know she was talking about the official State Dining Room. Mallory had lots of lists to make in her journal and she would just have to ignore Mrs. Brooks. "Mallory McDonald's List of Interesting Things . . . " There were a ton of facts she had to note in her journal, not one of which was her loose tooth, which by the way had to be monitored on her Loose Tooth Scale. And then there was Mary Ann who was going ga-ga over Carlos . . . C-LO. Waaaaaaaaa! This was going to be some trip!

Everyone who loves Mallory is going to love her red, white and blue whirlwind tour of Washington, D.C. Of course Mallory's journal isn't a flat out history or tour guide of Washington, D.C., but by the time a youngster finishes reading this book they will know a lot about this city (and C-LO and that tooth). Her unique perspective makes this book a lot of fun and I must admit, it brought a smile to my face more than once. I loved the little diagrams that were a mix of how she felt about the city and her friends and "enemies." Mallory's "lists" gave out a lot of information, and with a careful reading a lot of extra information can be gleaned. Do you know what the Marble Palace is? If you don't, Mallory will let you know all about it with some of her V.I.P. (very important point) journal entries!

Quill says: Everyone who loves Mallory is going to love her red, white and blue whirlwind tour of Washington, D.C.!