Anastasia has the answers

The sixth story about irrepressible Anastasia Krupnik begins with Anastasia deciding she cannot attend the funeral of her Aunt Rose in California. Anastasia, it turns out, is afraid not only of flying, but of dying. So the Krupniks leave Anastasia and her brother with a sitter, and she must face her fears and problems without her parents for several days. Determined to become a journalist, Anastasia believes she should have ``all the answers,'' and is dismayed to discover things do not always go her way. She's humiliated in gym class because she's the only one who can't climb the ropes, and, upon her parent's return, her plan to fix up her newly single Uncle George with her friend Daphne's divorced mother falls flat. But in a hilarious ending that only Anastasia could set in motion, she not only puts things right, but realizes that a lot of people consider her very special. Funny and touching, this new book is every bit as lively and touching as Lowry's first five, and definitely another winner. (812) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

Gr 5-8 Humiliated by her inability to climb a rope in gym class, 13-year-old Anastasia schemes to overcome the obstacle and impress her beautiful lady gym teacher, on whom she has a crush. Counterpoints to the plot are Anastasia's matchmaking efforts on behalf of a newly widowed uncle and a friend's mother, her struggle to make a smarmy recitation come alive and her attempt to view life as a journalist. In fact, each chapter begins humorously with Anastasia's efforts to make the day's events fit into ``WHO WHAT WHEN WHERE WHY,'' somehow , nonetheless , reading in the style of the National Enquirer . The language in Lowry's stories about Anastasia is always natural, but . . . Answers also benefits from this stylistic variation. The surrounding characters, from baby brother Sam playing funeral on the floor to bereaved ``Clark Gablish'' Uncle George are colorful and quirky and distinct. Anastasia manages, with some help from her mother, to resolve the rope conflict. The story's other elements fall, quite literally, into their own likely and lively places. Not only does Anastasia have the answers, but she's also at the top of her form. Carolyn Noah, Worcester Public Library, Mass. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Anastasia Krupnik and her family return in a sixth witty and perceptive novel. Anastasia, now 13, is studying to become a journalist. But even applying journalistic techniques and asking the proper questions doesn't solve all the problems in her life. She's concerned about her friend Daphne's situation, with a father who's left the family and a mother who now hates men. How can Anastasia reinterest Daphne's mother in a social life? And Anastasia wonders why she is the only one who can't climb the ropes in gym class--especially when her gym teacher is, in Anastasia's eyes, the worst possible person to witness her humiliation. With her customary zest, Anastasia tackles these problems head-on, and surprises even herself with the success in solving them. Lowry's deft portrayal of the emotional ups and downs of being 13 is right on target. Readers will identify with Anastasia and enjoy her methods of coping with problems and feelings. Some readers may be offended by the flip attitude toward the death of Anastasia's Aunt Rose. The blasÉ reactions of Anastasia and her little brother Sam may be tree to life, but at least the recently bereaved Uncle George could show a little feeling. This quibble aside, Anastasia will win new fans and delight her old ones with this addition. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

The sixth story about irrepressible Anastasia Krupnik begins with Anastasia deciding she cannot attend the funeral of her Aunt Rose in California. Anastasia, it turns out, is afraid not only of flying, but of dying. So the Krupniks leave Anastasia and her brother with a sitter, and she must face her fears and problems without her parents for several days. Determined to become a journalist, Anastasia believes she should have ``all the answers,'' and is dismayed to discover things do not always go her way. She's humiliated in gym class because she's the only one who can't climb the ropes, and, upon her parent's return, her plan to fix up her newly single Uncle George with her friend Daphne's divorced mother falls flat. But in a hilarious ending that only Anastasia could set in motion, she not only puts things right, but realizes that a lot of people consider her very special. Funny and touching, this new book is every bit as lively and touching as Lowry's first five, and definitely another winner. (812) Copyright 1986 Cahners Business Information.

Gr 5-8 Humiliated by her inability to climb a rope in gym class, 13-year-old Anastasia schemes to overcome the obstacle and impress her beautiful lady gym teacher, on whom she has a crush. Counterpoints to the plot are Anastasia's matchmaking efforts on behalf of a newly widowed uncle and a friend's mother, her struggle to make a smarmy recitation come alive and her attempt to view life as a journalist. In fact, each chapter begins humorously with Anastasia's efforts to make the day's events fit into ``WHO WHAT WHEN WHERE WHY,'' somehow , nonetheless , reading in the style of the National Enquirer . The language in Lowry's stories about Anastasia is always natural, but . . . Answers also benefits from this stylistic variation. The surrounding characters, from baby brother Sam playing funeral on the floor to bereaved ``Clark Gablish'' Uncle George are colorful and quirky and distinct. Anastasia manages, with some help from her mother, to resolve the rope conflict. The story's other elements fall, quite literally, into their own likely and lively places. Not only does Anastasia have the answers, but she's also at the top of her form. Carolyn Noah, Worcester Public Library, Mass. Copyright 1986 Cahners Business Information.