Like the character who gave the the start of the Anastasia Krupnik series its eponymous title, Lois Lowry’s series about a irrepressible bookworm of a ten year old is one of a kind. Despite there being no shortage of bookish characters with big personalities in children’s and teen literature, it was extraordinarily different to find readalikes to suggest that seem to capture some of the vibes of the Anastasia books. Reader, we have to admit that we struggled with this task. Below please find a list of some possible reads.
Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh
OK, so we are biased because it’s the first book we ever covered on the pod but we couldn’t help but think of Harriet M. Welsch when we read about Anastasia Krupnik. Although Anastasia seems like she might be easier to get along with than Harriet, they are both notebook girls with quirky personalities who love to write.
Beezus and Ramona by Beverly Cleary
Yes, we did it — recommended another book that was published forever ago and that we covered on the podcast already but it wasn’t our fault that the portrayal of the sibling relationship between Beezus and Ramona reminded us somehow of the dynamic between Anastasia and Sam, although different in the particulars. The strong characterization and the humor present in this portrayal of a family is what cinched it.
Unstuck by Barbara Dee
This middle grade book as published far more recently (2024) than Harriet the Spy or Beezus and Ramona. It tells the story of Lyla, a seventh grader embarking on a creative writing project in school. She decides to use it to finally write down the epic fantasy novel that’s been rattling around in her head. Lyla also has a writing contest to win, people to impress with her story, and a big sister’s shadow to step out from under. What a terrible time for writer’s block to strike!
A Song for Harlem by Patricia McKissack
If you enjoyed the themes of literature and the creative process in Anastasia, you might enjoy this work of historical fiction by modern legend Patricia McKissack. 12 year old Lilly Belle is far from home (Smyrna, Tennessee) attending a summer camp for young writers in Harlem. It’s 1928 in New York and Lilly is being taught by the legendary Zora Neale Hurston.
More to the Story by Hena Khan
Local author Hena Khan was inspired by Little Women to write this story about an American Muslim family living in Georgia. Jameela is thrilled to be chosen as feature editor of her middle school’s newspaper and follow in the footsteps of her journalist grandfather. She resolves to write a story good enough to win a contest and also to make her father, who is working overseas, proud. But then life throws her a curveball…
Instead of a quiz this month, we leave you with some reading material related to Anastasia Krupnik and the legacy of the series.
From BookRiot: Why Anastasia Krupnik Was Way Ahead of Her Time by Grace LaPointe
Anastasia would probably enjoy reading this list of common tidepool creatures you might encounter: The 9 Most Common Creatures in Tide Pools by Angie Menjivar on AZ Animals
A 2014 interview from The Cut with Lois Lowry about her iconic series: Anastasia Is the Neurotic YA Heroine You Forgot You Loved by Alexis Swerdloff
From LitHub: Thank you, Lois Lowry for the Anastasia Krupnik books by Jessie Gaynor
bookshelves of doom discusses how much she enjoyed rereading the series: Anastasia Krupnik, by Lois Lowry
This blog is created by Hannah and Maria in conjunction with the These Books Made Me podcast, a Prince George’s County Memorial Library System production. Check out the corresponding episode on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or wherever you normally listen to podcasts.
