Play It Again, Mallory (Mallory (Darby Creek))
In the twentieth book in the Mallory series, Mallory is excited that her school is now offering arts classes. However, her excitement turns to disappointment when she is assigned to band class, and again after she learns that her instrument is the tuba. Despondence turns to determination when she faces the choice of practicing diligently or risking humiliation at the upcoming performance. Told in first person, the story is light and somewhat predictable, but it brings up some interesting issues with implications beyond music education. An amusing “Music Quiz” is appended. Mallory’s emotions are clearly expressed in the first-person narrative and the many grayscale illustrations. Grades 2-5. --Carolyn Phelan