Mallory Hates Boys (and Gym)

by Ann M. Martin

Part of The Baby-Sitters Club, book 59

First published 1995

Mallory Pike already struggles in gym class. She considers herself clumsy and awkward during physical activities. Her situation becomes much worse when the school announces a major change. Boys and girls will now share the same gym period. Mallory feels mortified at the thought of embarrassing herself in front of male classmates. She must navigate this new social minefield while dealing with her existing athletic insecurities. The story explores how Mallory handles her fears about physical coordination and social judgment. She learns to cope with situations that make her uncomfortable. This Baby-sitters Club installment focuses on the universal pre-teen experience of feeling self-conscious about one's body and abilities during adolescence.

Genres: fiction, coming-of-age, school-stories, contemporary, adolescence

Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking

Tropes: fish-out-of-water, social-anxiety

138 pages · Paperback · Hippo

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