From Amazon.com
"SWM, 28, boyish charm, inherited wealth, looking for tall young woman, nonsmoker, to share Caribbean vacations, reruns of Casablanca, and romance." To 13-year-old Anastasia Krupnik, this Single White Male from the magazine personals section sounds perfect. And really, she's not lying when she writes to say she is tall, young, hates smoking, has seen Casablanca so many times she can recite some of it, is quite sure she would like Caribbean vacations, and is definitely ready for romance. And later, when she writes to say she owns a sloop and that she races occasionally, well, that's not exactly a lie either. Tension and hilarity build as Anastasia digs herself deeper into this embroilment. When SWM writes to say he would like to meet her, it looks like the jig is finally up. How will our outspoken, fast-thinking, SWF get herself out of this mess? Anastasia, the subject of many award-winning books by Lois Lowry, is a terrific modern role model for girls. Headstrong, independent, warm, and open, she manages to pull herself out of every one of the many predicaments she gets into. As she struggles with the changing feelings of adolescence, she maintains a good, yet realistic, relationship with her parents and young brother. (Ages 9 to 12) --Emilie Coulter
From Publishers Weekly
At 13, the inimitable Anastasia Krupnik is ready for romance--if not with the immature boys at school, then perhaps with the mysterious and intriguing 28-year-old "SWM" whose personals ad catches her eye. Adopting her own carefully chosen acronym and interpreting the truth liberally in response to SWM's queries, Anastasia sets in motion a memorable and hilarious exchange. When it appears her correspondent may come to town and want to meet, her scheme threatens to backfire as only Anastasia's schemes can. Though Lowry's ( Number the Stars ) plot relies too heavily on coincidence, Anastasia herself is at her best here: headstrong, inventive, endearing and irrepressible, though not above learning from her mistakes. Ages 8-12.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
