Nancy K. Robinson (1943–1994)

I had completely forgotten about Nancy K. Robinson's Mom, You're Fired!, which I read many times as a young girl, when I happened to stumble across a copy of it on a dollar cart outside one of New York City's used bookstores. No sooner had I seen the cover however, then the memory of it came rushing back, particularly the opening scene in which Tina's mother displays the Steele family's newly purchased underwear on the public bus! Needless to say, I had to pick this one up for the nostalgia show more trip...

The story of a nine-year-old girl who finds her somewhat unconventional mother intensely embarrassing, and who alienates her friends by pretending that she is, in fact, the babysitter, it should appeal to young tweens who are at that touchy stage when everything seems designed to cause them humiliation. I myself used to find comfort in the fact that Tina's mother was so much more embarrassing than my own, and while I would never have behaved as she did, could certainly identify with the impulse.

Of course, mothers can't really be fired (not often, anyway), and the process whereby Tina comes to a better understanding of, and appreciation for, her mother, is most satisfying to observe. All in all, rereading this was a pleasant reminder of my early childhood! show less

Sometimes life is hard, Chris is going to third grade and feels a bit ‘babyish’ He has to use all the same stuff from last year which is embarrassing, he has to listen to his neighbor brag about her new high class school and he desperately wants a kitten. After his first day of school his mom takes him to a doctor appointment, which really turns out to be an appointment at an animal shelter where he gets to take home his own kitten! With a mischievous kitten in his life, there a whole show more lot of new trouble for Chris, and he learns how to handle all his problems, including his snobby neighbor.

The book has great pacing and is easy to read for young children. It’s not a very good timeless story though, if I were to give this to a third grader now I would have to explain what varnish is, and a reader as well as why a dollar can buy a lot in the book but not now. Aside from that it’s a well written story all about growing up another year and the changes that a cat can bring. show less

ISBN 0590403826 – A sequel to ISBN 0590449036 Mom, You're Fired!, which I gave 5 stars, I found Oh Honestly, Angela not quite as well done. For the message, however, and for the delivery – something I’m finding Robinson has a gift for – I’m giving it 5 stars anyway.

Angela wakes up to find her older sister, Tina, sleeping in her bed. Tina’s had a nightmare and it’s a scary one: there was no Christmas! Possibly the only thing that ranks up there for Angela is the possibility that show more she won’t get the last strawberry smelly sticker for being a good citizen. Meanwhile, Tina is made aware of starving children when she attends a fundraiser with Melissa and her parents and she decides, on the spot, to adopt a child. While their mother is doing jury duty, Angela and Tina try to deal with their problems on their own. Tina needs to raise $204 for the orphan she wants to adopt and Angela… well, Angela gets the real Christmas lesson in giving.

The message is, like in Mom, You’re Fired, so subtly done that it may go over the heads of the youngest readers, but I don’t think it will. Even if it does, Oh Honestly, Angela is such a nice story that it’s worthwhile. Best of all, the parents are around but not huge factors in the story, or the message. That’s why kids might grasp that message easier: it’s told to them in a way that any kid can relate to. I am most definitely a fan of this author! RL5, ages 8-12.

- AnnaLovesBooks show less

One of the first chapter books I ever read... and read over and over! I still remember this story. I really enjoyed the writing style and subject matter, which was positive and motivating.