Mallory enters a gradewide fiction writing contest as part of a Young Authors Day which will culminate in a visit from a real author (evidently a different event from the one in the previous book, but who knows), but she can never find time to work on her magnum opus; besides her usual baby-sitting and homework workload, in a family like hers, things just come up to fill all available time. She keeps turning down baby-sitting jobs until she snaps and insists on being demoted to an associate member; wise Kristy suggest she take a complete break from baby-sitting for two weeks and see how she feels then. In a similar move with her family, Mallory spends a day "on strike," telling her family she will be shutting herself in her room and must not be disturbed. That day (I guess), she writes a prizewinning story, and makes a point to her parents, who agree to honor a "Do Not Disturb" sign in the future, and take her on a special mall trip, just her. Mallory finds she misses her sibs, though, and spends some of her alone time planning a special day for them to honor them and make up for being a grouch.This is a strong and about-due Mallory episode. Even her prizewinning story, as it’s described (we thankfully don’t have to read it) is only partially autobiographical (usually they are TOTALLY autobiographical in books like this, which always confused me; you would think if fiction writers know anything, it’s how people write fiction.) Overshadowing everything that came before is the elemental awesomeness of the Explorer Day in the final chapter. The kids get to make explorer hats, put together a homemade instrument jam band, and go on a scavenger hunt for prizes in animal cracker boxes. It’s totally the best day ever.Timing: Schoolyear. The cover shows Mallory and her friends playing in leaves.Revised Timeline: September of eleventh grade (ninth for Mallory). This actually makes marginally more sense, since it seems more likely that a high school rather than a middle school would have a Creative Writing class.
This is the 2nd book in a row with a school project centering around authors and books. What's the deal? Did they switch ghost-writers in between and forget to inform the new ones of what they were doing? Either way, I actually enjoyed this one a lot more than the last. I think I've finally come to terms with Mallory being my favorite character. I mean, appearance wise, I'm more of a Mary Anne and family wise, more of a Kristy. But I just connect with Mallory more. I'm a big nerd and I'm okay with that.Annnyway...Mallory's life is changed forever when her creative writing teacher tells them about "Young Authors Day". Okay, first: Mal is in the 6th grade. She was picked for this class because she's so freaking creative. How can they tell? From her 5th grade work? I was creative in 5th grade too (example), but come on. This is more of a 10th grade class. And second: another special event?? I am repeating myself from the last book, but really, these kids should be studying SAT vocab lists. Ugh, I hated those lists. My younger sister was so lucky I kept all of mine too because she totally just copied mine lol.Mallory is convinced that she is going to be an Author one day and decides to enter the Best Overall Fiction Story category. She goes home from school all excited to start writing and then gets distracted by all her brothers and sisters. You know what's really distracting? Those pants she's wearing on the cover. Seriously, what's going on there? With all the chaos, Mal starts to wonder if she'll even be able to write her story. "Seven brothers and sisters is just too many! I hate to admit this but sometimes I wish they would just disappear so that I could have a normal life." And then her guardian angel appeared and showed her how everyone's lives would be different if her siblings weren't around. Just kidding. :) She goes to her BSC meeting...Click here for my full review & to see what Claudia, Mal, & Jessi were wearing this time!!
What do You think about Mallory On Strike (1991)?
Fantastic books for young girls getting into reading!! Great stories about friendship and life lessons. The characters deal with all sorts of situations and often find responsible solutions to problems.I loved this series growing up and wanted to start my own babysitting business with friends. Great lessons in entrepreneurship for tweens.The books may be dated with out references to modern technology but the story stands and lessons are still relevant.Awesome books that girls will love! And the series grows with them! Terrific Author!
—April
