Review: Anastasia at Your Service by Lois Lowry

Synopsis: 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 a 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? (from the back of the book)

Review: This had all the makings of your average Anastasia book - meaning adventure, snark, vocabulary, imagination, schemes, and friendships. But then the issue with Sam, Anastasia's brother, and the book got much more serious. The relationship we have with our siblings, particularly when we are young, is complicated. Anastasia learns that, learns you can love someone and be annoyed by them at the same time. And that getting mad at a siblings doesn't mean you don't love them. I also enjoyed seeing Anastasia navigate her first job. Again, I highly recommend all of the Anastasia books, but this one in particular is a good story for kids.

Bookmarks: 7 of 10

Awards: None

ISBN: 0-440-40290-5
Year Published: 1982
Date Finished: 3-6-16
Pages: 149