A Job for Jenny Archer

Jenny Archer #1

by Ellen Conford, Diane Palmisciano (Illustrator), Erik Brooks (Illustrator)

Convinced that her family is poor because her parents refuse to get her a horse or a swimming pool, nine-year-old Jenny Archer follows her own path to making money, and plunges her house into the real estate market.

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, Chapter Books

80 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

Ellen Conford was an author for children and young adults. Among her writings are the Annabel the Actress and Jenny Archer series. Her books have won the Best Book of the Year Citation, Best Book of the International Interest Citation, Best Book of the Year for Children, Parents' Choice Award, and more.

Reviews

[Catherine Mustread · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jenny's efforts of obtaining money include trying to sell her house. Grades 2+

[Eliza Janiel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A 4.5 for me! ^^
I like the story of this book, it reminds me how children can do exhausting things because they have the best intentions, and you have to set aside your annoyance or anger and hear them out.

I remember when I was young, I wrapped my own handkerchief (with glue, straight on the hanky! 🤣) to give as a present for my father. As long as I gave him somehow useful wrapped in birthday wrapper, I was happy. 🤣
I miss that pureness I had...

Anw, this made me giggle and laugh! 🤣

[Brandi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another entry in the category of "children's books whose whole plot would be busted if the child protagonist just spoke openly with a parent or adult." In this short, quick chapter book for transitional readers, Jenny Archer misunderstands her mother's off-hand comments that the family couldn't afford a pool or fur coats to mean they are poor. So Jenny attempts to get a job so she can buy her mother a fur coat for her birthday. A series of frustrating, failed enterprises escalate to the very sticky point when Jenny tries to sell the family home. Things are all settled for the best in the end, as one expects.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jenny wants to buy something very special, fancy, and expensive for her Mom's birthday. The problem is that she doesn't have any money. This book describes her experiences trying out different jobs and trying to save money. It also shows her buying a nice item from a garage sale, which is a good way for children to buy items that are gently used at a low price. It's an entertaining story with a good lesson that is not heavy handed with the message. We enjoyed reading this book together.

[Arlene Allen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I took my job as a children's librarian SERIOUSLY and read a ton of children's books, especially in the beginning, with no regards to quality.

[Samuel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slight, but pleasant enough. I'm sure kids would like it. It reminded me of a simpler time, when kids wandering around their own neighborhood by themselves wasn't a big deal.

[Krispin · Rating 5 out of 5]

setp. 21-24 2009

[Alice Greene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alice: 5 stars. It was good.
Jenny: 3.5 stars. A girl wants to buy her mother a fur coat for her birthday as a surprise and works to figure out how to raise money on her own to buy the coat. This was a little boring, but definitely had some creative ideas of how this girl thought she could earn money (which ended up being quite comical). The girl's drive to earn money. Definitely felt similar to Alice and her desire to earn her own money.