What do You think about Anastasia On Her Own (1986)?
Oh, Anastasia, the scrapes you get in to. I didn't enjoy this book as much because it kept driving me bonkers that Anastasia's mother had to go out of town for a week, her brother got sick, and so Anastasia had to stay at home from school to take care of him...It felt like, Hello, Myron? Would you like to step up as other parent in this family, the other adult, and take care of your sick kid? You know, instead of letting your daughter miss tons of school so she can do all of these household chores and cooking and taking care of your young son? Can we all please acknowledge how weird that is?Anyway, still very funny and charming. I especially loved when Anastasia was making dinner with the help of the tap dance lessons salesman and when she ordered tons of boxes of baking soda. I love when Anastasia decides, I'm going to do this, it sounds right, and even when she questions herself sometimes, she just keeps moving forward. She's a great role model :)
—Michelle
How do I know the Lord is good? Because when things look absolutely grim an Anastasia book gets tossed in my lap. I found the last one at the goodwill and the one before that my sister bought me on a whim. I found this one in the Pomona Kids library last night after youth night. It is not my favorite of the Anastasia books, but it is a solid story told with wit and joy. As always the character of Anastasia is a delight. If I ever decide to get a Masters in Children's Literature (back-up plan) my thesis will be entitled: How Anastasia Begot The Giver, the development of Lois Lowry as a voice of change and hope in children's literature.
—Megan
Anastasia’s mother is busy and scatterbrained, so she’s having a hard time keeping track of her responsibilities. The family decides to partake in schedule making so that the household runs better. When the mother leaves town on business, Anastasia is in charge of things. Everything should be fine if the family sticks to a schedule, right? Forget her mom’s messes. As the woman of the household, Anastasia makes huge mistakes by being gullible while talking to telephone salespeople, ruining the laundry, and so much more. Her little brother has chicken pox and her father’s former flame visits, so Anastasia has her hands full. Although I liked this novel, the premise of schedule-making and being organized didn’t completely grab me. I didn’t really enjoy the book until after Anastasia’s mom left for her trip and all the hilarity ensued. I couldn’t help but think that this book reminded me of a sitcom—short in length and humorous.
—Medeia Sharif
