MARVELOUS MIDDLE GRADE MONDAY
Anastasia’s Chosen
Career
by Lois Lowry
I’ve long enjoyed Lois Lowry’s classic novel, “The Giver.” So,
when I saw this book at a rummage sale, I thought I’d give it a try.
“Anastasia’s Chosen Career,’ is Book 7 in Lois Lowry’s Anastasia Krupnik
series. In this story, thirteen year old Anastasia has to do a school report on
her chosen career. She settles on Bookstore Owner, but thinks a modeling class
on her school break will help her gain poise, confidence. and be more outgoing—all
good for bookstore owners. She convinces her parents she’s old enough to take
the bus from the suburbs to downtown Boston.
The modeling class is a little underwhelming, but she makes a new friend and is
reacquainted with an old chum. She learns about being a bookstore owner and a
model. She learns about the lives of the other kids in the class.
I enjoyed the book, but wasn’t swept away by it. As part of
a series for girls, it’s fine. Kids that age have to write reports about
careers. Kids also worry about their looks—not always liking their facial
features and body parts. It sort of made sense for her to want to take a
modeling class. Nowadays many girls see modeling as a glamorous career that
will lead to riches and fame—maybe a movie career. Having Anastasia save her
babysitting money to use for a modeling class didn’t seem too big a stretch
(but back then babysitting wages were pretty low). Interviewing a friend of her
father’s about being a bookstore owner also fit. What did worry me was allowing
a thirteen year old to take a bus from the suburbs into a big city. The book
was written in 1987, and surely that was a safer period for a 13 year old to
ride alone into the city than today. I wouldn’t allow it for my teen nowadays.
I may look at some other books in this series. Her writing
and pacing is good. It’s a girls’ story for 9 to 12 year olds (maybe even 8-12),
so I wouldn’t expect really exciting stories about a pre-teen girl in a stable
family, with a younger brother. Recommended for a quiet reading time for girls.
Tags:
Lois Lowry, Anastasia's Chosen Career, Anastasia Krupnik, middle grade, girls books, careers, modeling class, bookstore owner, pre-teen, young teen
No comments:
Post a Comment