Anastasia Series

Anastasia had a small pink wart on her left thumb. It had appeared shortly after her tenth birthday and was only one of the things that were important about that year. Some of those things were good. Like falling in love with Washburn Cummings, who had a fantastic way of walking. And really getting to know her grandmother, who was ninety-two and lived in a nursing home and could never remember her granddaughter’s name. And some of the things were awful. Like being the only girl in the fourth grade with a name too long to fit across a tee shirt without disappearing into her armpits.

And then there was the matter of an impending baby brother. There was no room for him, as Anastasia pointed out to her parents. And what’s more, he was entirely unnecessary. So when they told Anastasia she could name the new baby when the time came, she wrote in the back of her green notebook the most terrible name she could think of. Anastasia was prepared.

“The well-turned phrase amuses, and the unexpected turn of events surprises in a plot that is tightly strung.” — Booklist, starred review ALA Notable Book

Upon learning that her family plans to move to the suburbs, Anastasia-that undaunted, precocious heroine of Anastasia Krupnik – declares, “As soon as I finish this chocolate pudding, I’m going to jump out the window.” Eventually, with her parents and brother Sam, she hesitatingly goes to her new surroundings, bringing a mystery that she’s been writing, “The Mystery of Saying Goodbye.” But, as Anastasia soon learns, moving involves not only saying good-bye, but also meeting new friends-like crazy Gertrude Stein next door; Steve, an attractive tennis player down the block; and the people at the Senior Citizens’ Drop-in Center.

“Anastasia Krupnik is one of the most intriguing female protagonists to appear in children’s books since the advent of Harriet the Spy . . . Genuinely funny, the story is a marvelously human portrait of an articulate adolescent.” — Horn Book ALA Notable Book

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. 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?

Feeling in desperate need of psychotherapy, seventh-grader Anastasia buys a plaster bust of Sigmund Freud at a garage sale and consults him as her life takes a series of twists and turns. Freud remains enigmatic and unjudgmental as Anastasia’s science project goes hopelessly awry and even her usually unflappable mother, Katherine Krupnik, loses her cool.

“With wonderful wit, emotional honesty and humor’s saving grace, the Anastasia books artfully offer an education in understanding the world.” — What’s So Funny? Wit and Humor in American Children’s Literature, by Michael Cart

Anybody can run a household. All you need is a schedule. At least, that’s what Anastasia thinks. So she and her dad decide to organize Anastasia’s frazzled mother and help her run the household smoothly. But when Mom has to go away for a consulting job, Anastasia gets to test out her theory. The household quickly begins to crumble as Anastasia has to face Sam’s chicken pox, an unexpected visit from her father’s old girlfriend, and her first date ever. How is she supposed to take care of Sam and make a romantic gourmet meal? Anastasia has new-found respect for her mom and the important job she does.

It’s bad enough to be humiliated, thirteen-year-old Anastasia Krupnik thinks. But to be humiliated in front of an audience-and in front of the world’s most glamorous gym teacher-and while wearing a royal blue gym suit? That’s the pits.

Now that she’s decided to become a journalist, life’s questions ought to be pretty easy to answer, Anastasia thinks. A journalist, after all, simply responds to the who, what, when, where, and why of every situation.

But why are Daphne Bellingham’s parents getting a divorce? Is it Daphne’s fault?

And why-WHY-is Anastasia the most physically uncoordinated person ever to set foot in a junior high gym?

Once again Lois Lowry’s wonderful and irrepressible Anastasia has the answers.

“Anastasia has become a beloved character in children’s books and once again she doesn’t disappoint.” — Booklist, starred review IRA Young Adult Choice

Anastasia Krupnik is back, and she’s agonizing again. A seventh-grade assignment requires her to choose a future career. How can you know, when you’re thirteen, what you’re going to be when you’re grown up? And how can you prepare for a real life career when you can’t even prepare a term paper without ten or twelve false starts?

Self-confidence is what Anastasia needs. Where to find it? Studio Charmante, of course.

Lois Lowry’s irrepressible Anastasia Krupnik hits the world of the modeling school, collecting a unique cast of characters along the way. This time she pairs up with a dazzling new friend, and continues to share her adventures and discoveries with her funny, lovable family.

“Lowry gives readers a fine mixture of wit and wisdom, offering funny adolescent dialogue that is true to their interests and language.” — School Library Journal, starred review

Just when her three best friends vow to give up boys, Anastasia Krupnik begins a secret correspondence with her ideal man, carefully selected from the personals column in her father’s magazine. “SWM, 28, boyish charm, inherited wealth, looking for tall young woman, nonsmoker, to share Caribbean vacations, reruns of Casablanca, and romance.” Sure, Anastasia is only thirteen, but a difference in age is a small obstacle when two people are on the same wave length. And she – a tall, young movie buff who hates smoking – is certain that SWM (a.k.a. single white male) is on her wave length. Heaven knows, she is definitely ready for romance.

When she actually receives a reply from her SWM, it is the start of another hilarious and ever original episode in the eventful life of our heroine extraordinaire, the outspoken, irresistible Anastasia Krupnik.

“Anastasia herself is at her best here: headstrong, inventive, endearing, and irrepressible, though not above learning from her mistakes.” — Publishers Weekly

Federal offense. Anastasia’s steps slowed when she repeated the phrase to herself She wasn’t entirely certain what it meant, but it sounded grim. Tampering with the mail: she wasn’t entirely certain what that meant either But maybe she was – or would be – in big trouble.

What could possibly go wrong when Anastasia Krupnik walks to a mailbox early one morning with two packages and a dog? A mail mix-up of a most embarrassing kind! As her school “Values” class debates moral issues, and the local police confiscate the corner mailbox, Anastasia faces a dilemma of her own. Should she confess? What is the right thing to do? With her characteristic integrity and humor, Anastasia weighs her options and makes a decision.

Lois Lowry has created another hilarious story about the delightful Anastasia Krupnik and her down-to-earth family. Anastasia is growing up and facing new challenges, and you can bet that she will rise to them in her uniquely thoughtful and charming way.