Mallory on the Move

Reach for this book when your child is facing a major life transition, particularly a move to a new neighborhood or school, and is struggling with the 'grief' of leaving their old life behind. It provides a comforting, relatable outlet for the anxiety of being the new kid and the fear that old friendships will fade away. Mallory McDonald is eight years old and heartbroken about moving from her lifelong home. The story follows her journey of saying goodbye to her best friend, Mary Ann, and her clumsy, humorous, and eventually successful attempts to find a sense of belonging in a new place. It validates the messy emotions of moving without being overly heavy. Ideal for early elementary readers, this book uses humor and short, diary-style chapters to help children process change. It emphasizes that while change is hard, it also brings opportunities for new connections and personal growth. It is a perfect choice for normalizing the 'moving blues.'