The Many Troubles of Andy Russell (Andy Russell Series #1)

by David A. Adler, Will Hillenbrand (Illustrator)

Overview

Boy, does Andy have troubles! His gerbils escaped and are scampering all over the basement. He's late for school and he sure doesn't want to give that boring Ms. Roman another excuse to call his parents. And he planned to ask his parents today if his good friend Tamika could live with his family until her parents fully recover from a terrible accident. It is definitely not a good day for gerbil troubles. And when Andy learns that his mother is pregnant, he knows he'll have to do some really fancy footwork if his family is going to make room for Tamika. If gerbils threaten to foul up his plan, his meddlesome sister, Rachel, could make matters even worse. It's a good thing for Andy that he's charming and full of bright ideas. As this first chapter book in a new series unfolds, it's clear the Russell household is in for more trouble—and lots of fun!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780152054403
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	03/01/2005
Series:	Andy Russell Series , #1
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	144
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 7.50(h) x 0.37(d)
Lexile:	640L (what's this?)
Age Range:	6 - 9 Years

About the Author

DAVID ADLER has written more than a hundred books, including Lou Gehrig: The Luckiest Man and Mama Played Baseball. He lives on Long Island, New York. 

WILL HILLENBRAND has written and illustrated many award-winning picture books, including The House That Drac Built by Judy Sierra and his own Down by the Station. He lives in Terrace Park, Ohio.

Editorial Reviews

"Adler shapes a cast that youngsters will want to follow.” —Publishers Weekly
"Fast-paced, breezy style....This is the first in a series of books about Andy and his friends, a fact that will undoubtedly be good news to many young readers.”—School Library Journal
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From the Publisher

Seven of Andy's gerbils have escaped from their cage at home (and his mother hates animals). At school, preoccupied with thoughts of his pets on the loose, the boy offers "China" as the solution to a math problem. And just when he's about to ask his parents if his friend Tamika (whose foster parents are moving away for a year) can come live with the Russell family, he learns that his mother is pregnant. Such are the woes of Andy Russell, whom Adler (author of the Cam Jansen books) introduces in this jaunty novel, the first of a series. Displaying a knack for creating credible characters and amusing dialogue, Adler shapes a cast that youngsters will want to follow up on in future tales. Among them are Tamika, whose birth parents are recovering from a serious car accident; and earnest Bruce, Andy's best friend. Other personalities with potential are Rachel, Andy's snippy older sister, who condescendingly refers to his pets as "mice"; and Stacy Ann, the class brown-noser who corrects Andy's wrong answers "in her best I-know-and-you-don't tone." Though the hero manages to solve his problems this time, it won't be long before he next hits hot water. Readers will likely be standing by when he does. Ages 7-10. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Gr 2-4

Fourth grader Andy Russell always seems to get into trouble: he doesn't pay attention in class, his gerbils escape, and he irritates his older sister. On top of all that, his mother is pregnant and he wants his friend Timeka to come live with his family because her foster parents are moving to South America. Youngsters will enjoy David A. Adler's fast-paced, humorous story (Gulliver Books, 1998), the first in a series about Andy, ably narrated by Oliver Wyman.-Ann Elders, Mark Twain Elementary School, Federal Way, WA

School Library Journal

Andy Russell is an irresistible fourth-grader who loves his pet gerbils (hated by Mom and Sis) and has nice friends, typical problems, and a kind heart. Things take a nosedive when his gerbils get loose, his mom announces that she's pregnant, and he learns that his best friend may have to change schools. Narrator Oliver Wyman gets down to business with fast and spirited descriptions, perfect kid and adult voices, and the exact tones of a 9-year-old’s reasoning. When Tomika's parents are in a terrible accident, Andy wants her to live with his family. The give-and-take in the discussion of this major issue is well presented by both author and narrator. Kids are given an accurate glimpse of family life in this splendid story. S.G.B. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine

DECEMBER 2009 - AudioFile