Anastasia Krupnik Series by Lois Lowry, לויס לורי, מאירה פירון, Diane deGroat

Ages 8-12. The first and best book in the very popular series describes the ups and downs of a precocious ten-year-old girl. Anastasia loves keeping lists of important information in her green notebook; when she discovers that her mother is pregnant, she instantly adds two new items to her "things I hate" list: "My parents" and "babies... moreAges 8-12. The first and best book in the very popular series describes the ups and downs of a precocious ten-year-old girl. Anastasia loves keeping lists of important information in her green notebook; when she discovers that her mother is pregnant, she instantly adds two new items to her "things I hate" list: "My parents" and "babies." But as the year passes, Anastasia finds that the items on her lists keep moving around; by the time her baby brother is born, the only thing left to hate is liver. An unusually warm, insightful and original portrait of childhood and family life, this is a special and memorable story. Horn Book called Anastasia "an amusing and engaging heroine" and The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books wrote, "the whole book is a delight." less

"As soon as I finish this chocolate pudding, I'm going to jump out the window." Twelve-year-old Anastasia Krupnik has just discovered that her parents are planning a move to the suburbs. And she happens to know that people in the suburbs do not have meaningful paintings on their walls. They have paint-by-numbers pictures of kittens with big eyes playing with balls of yarn. And in the place of bookcases they have giant TV sets with bowls of fake fruit on top... more"As soon as I finish this chocolate pudding, I'm going to jump out the window." Twelve-year-old Anastasia Krupnik has just discovered that her parents are planning a move to the suburbs. And she happens to know that people in the suburbs do not have meaningful paintings on their walls. They have paint-by-numbers pictures of kittens with big eyes playing with balls of yarn. And in the place of bookcases they have giant TV sets with bowls of fake fruit on top. One look at their future house in the suburbs, however, and Anastasia falls in love. It's not long before she's meeting the neighbors, including a handsome tennis player and a witch named Gertrude Stein. And it takes hardly any time at all before she's immersed in just the kind of complicated messes that she seems to specialize in. Award-winning author Lois Lowry has an undeniable knack for knowing the minds of young people, from Anastasia's 2-year-old brother in All About Sam to the 10-year-old Anastasia Krupnik to the precocious preteen character in this engaging novel. Don't miss the rest of Lowry's Anastasia series--as wildly funny, touching, and loaded with personality as Anastasia herself. (Ages 8 to 12) --Emilie Coulter less

A long, boring summer--that's what Anastasia has to look forward to when her best friend goes off to camp. She's thrilled when old Mrs. Bellingham answers her ad for a job as a Lady's Companion. Anastasia is sure her troubles are over--she'll be busy and earn money!But she doesn't expect to have to polish silver and serve at Mrs... moreA long, boring summer--that's what Anastasia has to look forward to when her best friend goes off to camp. She's thrilled when old Mrs. Bellingham answers her ad for a job as a Lady's Companion. Anastasia is sure her troubles are over--she'll be busy and earn money!But she doesn't expect to have to polish silver and serve at Mrs. Bellingham's granddaughter's birthday party as a maid! As if that isn't bad enough, she accidentally drops a piece of silverware down the garbage disposal and must use her earnings to pay for it! Is the summer destined to be a disaster? less

No one understands thirteen-year-old Anastasia Krupnik, least of all her parents and her little brother, Sam, who happens to be a genius. They're such an embarrassment. Why can't they be normal, like Anastasia?Then presto! Anastasia realizes that she has the problem--not her relatives--and she must find help immediately. There's not a moment to lose.Though her parents insist she's normal and won't send her to an analyst, that doesn't stop Anastasia... moreNo one understands thirteen-year-old Anastasia Krupnik, least of all her parents and her little brother, Sam, who happens to be a genius. They're such an embarrassment. Why can't they be normal, like Anastasia?Then presto! Anastasia realizes that she has the problem--not her relatives--and she must find help immediately. There's not a moment to lose.Though her parents insist she's normal and won't send her to an analyst, that doesn't stop Anastasia.What will happen if they find out that Anastasia is secretly telling her troubles to the most famous analyst in the world? less

Her family's new, organized schedule for easy housekeeping makes Anastasia confident that she can run the household while her mother is out of town, until she hits unexpected complications.