Mallory McDonald is turning nine! And she is ready to celebrate getting the past year over-one troubled with moving, starting a new school, making new friends, and sibling rivalry. Mallory wants her ninth birthday to be extra special. So instead of celebrating just one day, she plans an entire "e;birth month"e; celebration. But soon, things aren't going according to plan, and Mallory fears that being nine may be just as difficult as being eight.