chrissymcbooknerd's review
4.0
Mary Ann is my lifelong best friend. We do everything together...
Best friends and neighbors Mary Ann and Mallory have been on the edge of their seats for weeks, awaiting news of the new contest that will be announced during their favorite television show -- Fashion Fran! Although the girls have no idea what they will be required to do, or what the mysterious prize might end up being, they know that they plan on entering -- and WINNING -- together!
The winner will receive an all-expenses paid trip for four to New York City ... AND a chance to appear on my show and model the winning design!
When the girls finally hear the details of the contest -- drawing their own special DREAM outfit and mailing it to the television show, they know this one will be a piece of cake! And, the winner gets to fly to New York City AND model on TV? What prize could be more perfect than that?
The girls make a sacred pinky promise that no matter which one of them wins, she will find a way to bring the other girl to NYC AND find a way to get her on television as well. So, when Mallory ends up having her design specially selected by Fashion Fran, Mary Ann is ready to redeem her pinky prize. After all, best friends never break a promise, right?
I'm sorry, but modeling on Fashion Fran is not something the two of you will be able to do together...
Maybe Mallory didn't really think this whole plan fully through, as she soon learns that it's harder than she expected to have two people redeem ONE prize. Will Mallory and Mary Ann's first big trip to New York City end up being the last day of their best friendship?
Although I don't have as much experience with middle grade novels, I must admit that they have a certain charm that is often absent from YA and adult stories. There is something just so magical and fun about the optimism of these two girls -- which of course did not end up being unfounded. I can easily imagine my 8 to 12 year old self adoring this novel and admiring the fun, girly illustrations that helped propel the story.
I didn't notice until after reading it that this is actually part of a series, but it worked perfectly fine as a stand alone novel. The additions at the end, like the vacation scrap book and the cookie pizza recipe, make a nice additional for younger minds and shorter attention spans.
Overall, MALLORY AND MARY ANN TAKE NEW YORK was a cute, fun little read that would be perfect for any younger middle aged girl. I would definitely read others in the series if given the opportunity.
Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy of this story for me to read for review purposes.
Best friends and neighbors Mary Ann and Mallory have been on the edge of their seats for weeks, awaiting news of the new contest that will be announced during their favorite television show -- Fashion Fran! Although the girls have no idea what they will be required to do, or what the mysterious prize might end up being, they know that they plan on entering -- and WINNING -- together!
The winner will receive an all-expenses paid trip for four to New York City ... AND a chance to appear on my show and model the winning design!
When the girls finally hear the details of the contest -- drawing their own special DREAM outfit and mailing it to the television show, they know this one will be a piece of cake! And, the winner gets to fly to New York City AND model on TV? What prize could be more perfect than that?
The girls make a sacred pinky promise that no matter which one of them wins, she will find a way to bring the other girl to NYC AND find a way to get her on television as well. So, when Mallory ends up having her design specially selected by Fashion Fran, Mary Ann is ready to redeem her pinky prize. After all, best friends never break a promise, right?
I'm sorry, but modeling on Fashion Fran is not something the two of you will be able to do together...
Maybe Mallory didn't really think this whole plan fully through, as she soon learns that it's harder than she expected to have two people redeem ONE prize. Will Mallory and Mary Ann's first big trip to New York City end up being the last day of their best friendship?
Although I don't have as much experience with middle grade novels, I must admit that they have a certain charm that is often absent from YA and adult stories. There is something just so magical and fun about the optimism of these two girls -- which of course did not end up being unfounded. I can easily imagine my 8 to 12 year old self adoring this novel and admiring the fun, girly illustrations that helped propel the story.
I didn't notice until after reading it that this is actually part of a series, but it worked perfectly fine as a stand alone novel. The additions at the end, like the vacation scrap book and the cookie pizza recipe, make a nice additional for younger minds and shorter attention spans.
Overall, MALLORY AND MARY ANN TAKE NEW YORK was a cute, fun little read that would be perfect for any younger middle aged girl. I would definitely read others in the series if given the opportunity.
Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy of this story for me to read for review purposes.
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