The Many Troubles of Andy Russell

Andy Russell #1

by David A. Adler, Will Hillenbrand (Illustrator)

Boy, does Andy have troubles! His gerbils escaped and are scampering all over the basement. He's late for school and he sure doesn't want to give that boring Ms. Roman another excuse to call his parents. And he planned to ask his parents today if his good friend Tamika could live with his family until her parents fully recover from a terrible accident. It is definitely not a good day for gerbil troubles. And when Andy learns that his mother is pregnant, he knows he'll have to do some really fancy footwork if his family is going to make room for Tamika. If gerbils threaten to foul up his plan, his meddlesome sister, Rachel, could make matters even worse. It's a good thing for Andy that he's charming and full of bright ideas. As this first chapter book in a new series unfolds, it's clear the Russell household is in for more trouble--and lots of fun!

Genres: Childrens, Realistic Fiction, Fiction

133 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

David Abraham Adler is an American children's author. He was born in New York City, New York in 1947. He graduated from Queens College in 1968 with a bachelor's degree in economics and education. For the next nine years, he worked as a mathematics teacher for the New York City Board of Education, while taking classes towards a master's degree in marketing, a degree he was awarded by New York University in 1971. In that same year, a question from his then-three-year-old nephew inspired Adler to write his first story, A Little at a Time, subsequently published by Random House in 1976. Adler's next project, a series of math books, drew on his experience as a math teacher. In 1977, he created his most famous character, Cam Jansen, originally featured in Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Stolen Diamonds, which was published that year.

Adler married psychologist Renee Hamada in 1973, and their first child, Michael, was born in 1977. By that time Adler had taken a break from teaching and, while his wife continued her work, he stayed home, took care of Michael, and began a full-time writing career.

Adler's son, Michael S. Adler, is now the co-author of several books with his father, including A Picture Book of Sam Adams, A Picture Book of John Hancock, and A Picture Book of James and Dolly Madison. Another son, Edward, was the inspiration for Adler's Andy Russell series, with the events described in the series loosely based on adventures the Adler family had with Edward's enthusiasm and his pets.

As of November 2008, Adler has three sons and two grandsons. He lives in Woodmere, New York.

(source: Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Jen Traub · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple story of a young boy who thinks he has problems, but learns to appreciate the blessings he does have in his life. Faces simple problems: a pregnant mother, gerbils getting loose, a boring teacher. It also briefly deals with foster families, though very simplistically (too naive).

Stuck between 3 and 4... 3.5*

[Michelle Damour · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. 8yr old boys liked the story but found it confusing cause of the many problems Andy is dealing with and how they are woven together.

[Anthony Sanabria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book about Andy russell and hiding things from people making it a secret from them and in the end it all comes down to Andy as a trust issue in weither can you believe Andy. Through out the book Andy has to keep a lot of secrets from a lot people so certain things will not be told but when you read this book you will find out the secrets that will make understand why Andy is acting the way he is keeping secrets from everyone. i can relate to Andy when things go wrong you dont want your parents knowing that you made a big mistake or broke something but what i learned is that confessing is better then them finding out by themselves and getting even madder.

[Cana]

Mommy says: at 8.5yo, she is not interested in this book yet.