Mom, You're Fired!

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 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 show more 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

Tina's mom keeps embarrassing Tina and her brother. She sings loudly, she shows her children's new underwear, and she wears weirdly. Tina came up with a lie that her mom's her baby sitter. The lie soon gets out of hand with her friends, Melissa Gwen and Sarah, and her family. A Parent Teacher Conference came also, making this more of a mess. As things escalated, Melissa and Sarah had become friends, leaving out Tina. Tina had to tell her mother the truth.
I gave this book a 5 out of 5 because it was funny. The characters were easy to relate and understand. I love how Tina plans how to make sure the plan works. I also love how nice Melissa's mom was. Nathan's science experiment was interesting.The book had tops and turns in the story. show more This story was a great story. show less

I liked it because my name was in the book. And it was a really enjoable book to read. =]

Loved this book as a child.

Loved this book as a child.

Old Children's Book. Liked it as a kid, but haven't read it in years.

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