Poetry Thursday: "Anastasia Krupnik" by Lois Lowry
I'm rereading a book that I loved during my childhood--Anastasia Krupnik by Lois Lowry. I'm hoping that, somehow, this post creates a surge of curiosity about Anastasia, because frankly, as I'm reading about her life, I'm finding that I'm learning a lot from her, just as I did when I was a kid.
Anastasia is ten, an only child (for most of the book), and a list-maker. Her father is Myron Krupnik, a poet. He is also a professor. Anastasia, like her father, loves words, and she adds often to a list of "favorites" in the back of her notebook (i.e. "mutant" and "corn pads" are both on the list). The plot of this story involves Anastasia's family and how it changes while they prepare to have a baby. Mainly, it is about Anastasia's reaction to the event. There are sub-plots, of course: being misunderstood by a teacher, crushes, relating to the elderly, and the death of a grandparent. Each situation is handled gently, comically, and beautifully.
And you've got to love any children's novel that references e.e. cummings.
In keeping with Poetry Thursday (sort of), I share a passage from Anastasia Krupnik that moves me. My reaction to this excerpt is strong, but it's a quiet kind of strong. It's about the smothering, electric blanket heat of self-doubt and the sometimes difficult journey to self-acceptance. I wonder if these words comforted me when I read them as a kid; I always felt less alone when I "met" a character in a story whom I would have loved to have been friends with.
"I'm dumb," said Anastasia sadly to herself, "because sometimes--too many times--I don't feel the same way about things that everybody else feels.
"I was the only one at Jennifer MacCauley's birthday party," she remembered gloomily, "who thought green ice cream was nauseating. Everybody even said I was dumb, for that.
"I'm the only person in the world," she reminded herself, "--the whole entire world--who likes cold spinach sandwiches. That's really dumb."
"And now," she thought, "I'm the only kid in the fourth grade who doesn't like Mrs. Westvessel."
So reason three seemed to be the reason. "Because I'm dumb." She left it there, frowned, closed her green notebook. "Sometimes," she thought, maybe it isn't a good idea after all to make a list and find out the answer to a question."
Copyright 1979, Lowis Lowry (a Dell Yearling book)
Of course, I have "mutantized" the Poetry Thursday assignment because I am not posting poetry, but Anastasia's father (as well as Anastasia herself) is a poet, so that's gotta count for something, right?
Please check Anastasia out from the library the next time you visit. Or flip through a copy of it at the bookstore and see if it appeals to you. It is a delightful novel that reminded me of who I was at the age of ten; it also reminds me of who I am now.
Visit Poetry Thursday and click on the links to read "real" poetry!
Anastasia is ten, an only child (for most of the book), and a list-maker. Her father is Myron Krupnik, a poet. He is also a professor. Anastasia, like her father, loves words, and she adds often to a list of "favorites" in the back of her notebook (i.e. "mutant" and "corn pads" are both on the list). The plot of this story involves Anastasia's family and how it changes while they prepare to have a baby. Mainly, it is about Anastasia's reaction to the event. There are sub-plots, of course: being misunderstood by a teacher, crushes, relating to the elderly, and the death of a grandparent. Each situation is handled gently, comically, and beautifully.
And you've got to love any children's novel that references e.e. cummings.
In keeping with Poetry Thursday (sort of), I share a passage from Anastasia Krupnik that moves me. My reaction to this excerpt is strong, but it's a quiet kind of strong. It's about the smothering, electric blanket heat of self-doubt and the sometimes difficult journey to self-acceptance. I wonder if these words comforted me when I read them as a kid; I always felt less alone when I "met" a character in a story whom I would have loved to have been friends with.
"I'm dumb," said Anastasia sadly to herself, "because sometimes--too many times--I don't feel the same way about things that everybody else feels.
"I was the only one at Jennifer MacCauley's birthday party," she remembered gloomily, "who thought green ice cream was nauseating. Everybody even said I was dumb, for that.
"I'm the only person in the world," she reminded herself, "--the whole entire world--who likes cold spinach sandwiches. That's really dumb."
"And now," she thought, "I'm the only kid in the fourth grade who doesn't like Mrs. Westvessel."
So reason three seemed to be the reason. "Because I'm dumb." She left it there, frowned, closed her green notebook. "Sometimes," she thought, maybe it isn't a good idea after all to make a list and find out the answer to a question."
Copyright 1979, Lowis Lowry (a Dell Yearling book)
Of course, I have "mutantized" the Poetry Thursday assignment because I am not posting poetry, but Anastasia's father (as well as Anastasia herself) is a poet, so that's gotta count for something, right?
Please check Anastasia out from the library the next time you visit. Or flip through a copy of it at the bookstore and see if it appeals to you. It is a delightful novel that reminded me of who I was at the age of ten; it also reminds me of who I am now.
Visit Poetry Thursday and click on the links to read "real" poetry!
posted by Cate at 11:59 AM
12 Comments:
Cate, you can write just about anything and I'll read it!
I like the way you expanded the Poetry THgursday concept. I'll keep "Anastasia Krupnik" in mind when I go on vacation in a few weeks. I get together with my husband's family and he has about 6 nieces about Anna's age. Might give us something else to talk about.
Great suggestion :)
Heading to the library now - i love this!
I always felt less alone when I "met" a character in a story whom I would have loved to have been friends with.
Thanks for putting that into words. I feel the same way. Perhaps that's also why we write. We're creating the ones we couldn't find.
I agree with Jason. Thanks for sharing! It makes me want to remember the books I loved as a kid, and how they made me feel less alone.
That last thought, of not wanting to really find the honest answers...Boy. Is that ever the big lesson in life, huh? Sometimes we just don't want to look. LOL
:)
This book was one of many that I considered favorites when I was a child - one I would check out of the library again and again! Thanks for reminding me of it :) I think I'll check it out next time I go. And thanks for reminding us all what a great message children's and young adult books can have for us at any age!
This was so wonderful. I loved reading your take on this childhood favorite and am just tickled that your reading it again. I'll have to keep this treasure in mind for my daughter to read in a couple years.
a.
I'm adding this to my list. I'm always on the lookout for kids books that tell a timeless story.
What a lovely glimpse of a childhood book friend of yours. I bet I'd like her too. What you said about feeling less alone when you "met" a character in a book and they were someone you could picture being a friend - yes! That's something that pretty much all my favorite fiction has in common - someone with whom I can feel that connection. Lovely post, Cate.
I love children's literature! It often captures such poignant moments. I'm a teacher and Anastasia is a part of my classroom library. :) Have you read Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli?
I'm so happy that many of you are now interested in Anastasia. I made a mistake, though: ee cummings is not mentioned in the book. It's Washburn Cummings, a boy that Anastasia falls "in love" with.
Please, please let me know what you think of it!
P.S. ECM, I've not read Stargirl but I'm definitely going to check it out. Thanks for the recommendation!
Lovely post! I must check out this treasure. Thanks
Post a Comment
<< Home