Sam Krupnik Series

At last, Sam, Anastasia Krupnik’s irrepressible little brother, gets a chance to tell his own story. From his first days at the hospital, through his Terrible Twos, to his first days at nursery school, we see what Sam is really like. But things are never quite what they seem. In the delivery room, Sam’s first words, “Don’t drop me,” are heard only as, “Waaaaahhhh!” And even though he has a perfectly logical explanation for flushing his sister’s goldfish down the toilet, no one understands. From training pants to moving day to nursery school, Sam continually tries to unravel the mysteries of the world at large, facing each crisis and adventure head on and responding with his own brand of humor, candor, and naive insight.

In All About Sam, Lois Lowry has created the younger brother only Anastasia Krupnik could have. Anastasia fans will be quick to welcome this new voice into the series, and Sam will no doubt gain many new fans of his own.

“Sam’s adventures, some of which also occur in the books about Anastasia, are warm and life-affirming; they are related with humorous affection, without a trace of condescension.” — KIRKUS REVIEWS

Why won’t Sam Krupnik allow his mother to enter his bedroom? Why has he started calling his toy box The Lab? And why does he carry a Ziplock bag in his pocket at all times? What’s the big secret?

Well, his mother’s birthday is approaching, and she has told her family that what she really wants are homemade gifts. Sam has decided to invent a special, surprise perfume just for her – a concoction that will combine all of her favorite smells. Now the question is: Exactly how does one go about bottling the quirky collection of scents on Mrs. Krupnik’s list of favorites?

If anyone can find a way – or at least have loads of fun trying – it’s Sam, Anastasia’s precocious younger brother. Don’t miss this side-splitting episode in the life of the witty, wacky, and ever-original Krupnik household.

“Warm, lively, true to children’s real inner lives, and laugh-aloud funny all the way.” — Kirkus Reviews, pointer review School Library Journal Best Books of the Year

Anastasia Krupnik’s little brother, Sam, wants fangs more than anything in the world. But there is one big problem. Sam’s mother, Mrs. Krupnik, has fangphobia and forbids Sam even to touch his plastic vampire fangs in the house. How can she not see how cool fangs really are? Sure, they make it hard to eat hot dogs, but they make him look disgusting – and Sam loves to took disgusting. So Sam decides to run away to Alaska, where “fanged” walruses lie around in a pile and sharp teeth are generally accepted. He packs his mittens and bear in his father’s Harvard University gym bag and sets off, but just down the block, Lowell Watson, the mailman, reminds him he will need food for Alaska. Neighbor Gertrude Stein’s homemade chocolate chip cookies are just the thing. And how can he leave without saying goodbye to the Sheehans’ baby, Kelly? He needs a glass of water, and there really isn’t any reason to hurry to Alaska … In See You Around, Sam!, Lois Lowry continues to give Anastasia’s brother a voice of his own. As the quirky characters on his block welcome him into their homes one by one, he discovers the true meaning of community.

As always, the patient and loving Krupnik family stands by as Anastasia’s irrepressible little brother struggles with a set of almost impossible goals. Readers of all ages will cheer for Sam as the embroidery thread that spells ZOOMAN SAM over his heart unravels and quite surprisingly transforms him into something more wonderful that even he could have imagined.

“In this fourth book about Anastasia’s spunky little brother, Sam Krupnik really comes into his own….Lowry gets everything about Sam just right.” – Booklist. Boxed Review