What do you think?
Rate this book
Lulu #4
Lulu Is Getting a Sister: (Who WANTS Her? Who NEEDS Her?)
Lulu is getting the sister she never asked for in this hilarious illustrated chapter book filled with hilarious hijinks and fiesty twists from Judith Viorst.
Lulu has received the worst. News. EVER. She’s getting…a baby sister. No one ever asked HER opinion on this debacle. But she’ll tell you anyway, because she no how, no way, no thank you wants a sibling.
Undeterred, and to prepare Lulu for big sisterhood, her parents bribe—AHEM, ask—Lulu to attend Camp Sisterhood, a.k.a. big sister training camp. As a Sister-in-Training (SIT), Lulu is assigned a variety of temporary little “siblings” who are supposed to be so much fun Lulu will become excited to have a permanent sibling of her own. Well, no one ever said Camp Sisterhood was supposed to teach Lulu how to be a good big sister, so Lulu resolves to be a bad big sister. She insults her little siblings. She taunts them with secrets. She even tricks one of them into carrying both of their backpacks up a mountain! But no matter what Lulu does, she can’t shake the little terrors.
Then some BITs (brothers-in-training) from the neighboring Camp Brotherhood start picking on Lulu’s siblings, and Lulu responds by doing her red-faced, steam-coming-out-of-her-ears thing and showing those BITs who’s boss! After all, Lulu’s siblings may be duds, but they’re her duds, and sisters have to stick together. Besides, in the end, Lulu figures that having a little sister probably won’t be as bad as a getting a tooth pulled. Probably.
Lulu has received the worst. News. EVER. She’s getting…a baby sister. No one ever asked HER opinion on this debacle. But she’ll tell you anyway, because she no how, no way, no thank you wants a sibling.
Undeterred, and to prepare Lulu for big sisterhood, her parents bribe—AHEM, ask—Lulu to attend Camp Sisterhood, a.k.a. big sister training camp. As a Sister-in-Training (SIT), Lulu is assigned a variety of temporary little “siblings” who are supposed to be so much fun Lulu will become excited to have a permanent sibling of her own. Well, no one ever said Camp Sisterhood was supposed to teach Lulu how to be a good big sister, so Lulu resolves to be a bad big sister. She insults her little siblings. She taunts them with secrets. She even tricks one of them into carrying both of their backpacks up a mountain! But no matter what Lulu does, she can’t shake the little terrors.
Then some BITs (brothers-in-training) from the neighboring Camp Brotherhood start picking on Lulu’s siblings, and Lulu responds by doing her red-faced, steam-coming-out-of-her-ears thing and showing those BITs who’s boss! After all, Lulu’s siblings may be duds, but they’re her duds, and sisters have to stick together. Besides, in the end, Lulu figures that having a little sister probably won’t be as bad as a getting a tooth pulled. Probably.
192 pages, Paperback
First published April 24, 2018
23 people are currently reading
158 people want to read
About the author
Judith Viorst
119 books813 followersJudith Viorst is an American writer, newspaper journalist, and psychoanalysis researcher. She is known for her humorous observational poetry and for her children's literature. This includes The Tenth Good Thing About Barney (about the death of a pet) and the Alexander series of short picture books, which includes Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (1972), which has sold over two million copies.
Viorst is a 1952 graduate of the Newark College of Arts and Sciences at Rutgers University in Newark, New Jersey. In 1968, she signed the "Writers and Editors War Tax Protest" pledge, vowing to refuse tax payments in protest against the Vietnam War. In the latter part of the 1970s, after two decades of writing for children and adults, Viorst turned to the study of Freudian psychology. In 1981, she became a research graduate at Washington Psychoanalytic Institute after six years of study.
Viorst is a 1952 graduate of the Newark College of Arts and Sciences at Rutgers University in Newark, New Jersey. In 1968, she signed the "Writers and Editors War Tax Protest" pledge, vowing to refuse tax payments in protest against the Vietnam War. In the latter part of the 1970s, after two decades of writing for children and adults, Viorst turned to the study of Freudian psychology. In 1981, she became a research graduate at Washington Psychoanalytic Institute after six years of study.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
March 26, 2020
A bit of froth and fun. The Illustrations are stupendous! The story is funny. I think it would be a fantastic read aloud.
When Lulu's parents tell her she is going to be a big sister she is deeply unimpressed. So unimpressed that she becomes an unmanageable tyrant. She is packed off to camp where she will learn to be a big sister, at Big Sisters in Training Camp she meets her comeuppance.
It is fun and a bit silly.
When Lulu's parents tell her she is going to be a big sister she is deeply unimpressed. So unimpressed that she becomes an unmanageable tyrant. She is packed off to camp where she will learn to be a big sister, at Big Sisters in Training Camp she meets her comeuppance.
It is fun and a bit silly.
September 15, 2018
Thanks to Atheneum Books for Young Readers for the free copy. All opinions are my own.
Judith Viorst is a force of literary nature. If you know kids' books, you know her name. Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Day, Earrings, and The Tenth Good Thing About Barney have been my personal favorites of hers for many moons, since my early days of teaching first grade. But Lulu? She wasn't on my radar since I don't pick up early readers very often anymore.
Lulu is Getting a Sister is the fourth book in the Lulu series, and judging from this story, not the last. Lulu is a know-it-all, kind of bratty yet lovable little girl who is convinced that the world revolves around her. She has her folks tied around her little finger (the illustration of Lulu's door with the message from her parents asking for their car keys back is spot on). What Lulu doesn't know, however, is that her world is about to be turned upside down.
In anticipation of the cataclysmic event sure to rock her world, Lulu is sent to a Big Sisters' Camp to prep firstborn siblings in the art of older-sistering. Lulu meets her match(es) in twin sisters, meets a fumbling younger brother, and eats a generous slice of humble pie.
Teachers of the younger crew will find mini-lesson gold in this skinny little book. True to form, we see Lulu change (somewhat) from selfish to only slightly selfish-yielding mini-lesson gold for teachers using this text as a read aloud/think aloud piece. The vocabulary is slightly above the intended readers' grasp, but Viorst thoughtfully tucks in context clues-and more mini-lesson gold. And finally, Lulu Is Getting a Sister is chock full of voice. Lulu's dynamic personality springs off the pages-lending itself to yet more, you guessed it, mini-lesson gold.
Viorst knows how to wrap a story for young readers to delight in; this one is no different.
First sentence, or hook: Lulu must have forgotten that she's too old to be having a tantrum because...she's having one.
Judith Viorst is a force of literary nature. If you know kids' books, you know her name. Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Day, Earrings, and The Tenth Good Thing About Barney have been my personal favorites of hers for many moons, since my early days of teaching first grade. But Lulu? She wasn't on my radar since I don't pick up early readers very often anymore.
Lulu is Getting a Sister is the fourth book in the Lulu series, and judging from this story, not the last. Lulu is a know-it-all, kind of bratty yet lovable little girl who is convinced that the world revolves around her. She has her folks tied around her little finger (the illustration of Lulu's door with the message from her parents asking for their car keys back is spot on). What Lulu doesn't know, however, is that her world is about to be turned upside down.
In anticipation of the cataclysmic event sure to rock her world, Lulu is sent to a Big Sisters' Camp to prep firstborn siblings in the art of older-sistering. Lulu meets her match(es) in twin sisters, meets a fumbling younger brother, and eats a generous slice of humble pie.
Teachers of the younger crew will find mini-lesson gold in this skinny little book. True to form, we see Lulu change (somewhat) from selfish to only slightly selfish-yielding mini-lesson gold for teachers using this text as a read aloud/think aloud piece. The vocabulary is slightly above the intended readers' grasp, but Viorst thoughtfully tucks in context clues-and more mini-lesson gold. And finally, Lulu Is Getting a Sister is chock full of voice. Lulu's dynamic personality springs off the pages-lending itself to yet more, you guessed it, mini-lesson gold.
Viorst knows how to wrap a story for young readers to delight in; this one is no different.
First sentence, or hook: Lulu must have forgotten that she's too old to be having a tantrum because...she's having one.
April 10, 2019
The fourth title in this humorous chapter book series. In this book, Lulu doesn't want the baby sister her parents tell her is on the way, so they send Lulu to Camp Sisterhood to learn to appreciate the joys of being a big sister. Excellent example of third-person omniscient POV, using a tongue-in-cheek narrator who claims to be writing the story. Lulu's larger-than-life personality makes her a memorable character. She manages to grow emotionally despite herself and her self-centered, spoiled nature. Wonderful black-and-white illustrations and a pleasing, professional layout help to make this book a winner.
September 20, 2020
Funny and clever and poignant with illustrations reminiscent of Despicable Me!
May 24, 2018
Lulu is getting older, so her books are getting longer and her troubles more involved. This time she has to practice being a big sister at a special camp for expectant siblings. She continues to be a self-absorbed contrarian, to have encounters that don't bow to her expectations, and to grudgingly learn a few lessons without drastically changing her nature. As always, lots of fun.
June 8, 2018
A very funny book, about a challenging girl who learns she is getting a sister! Judith Viorst writes about real kids, and this gem is a hoot. Lulu is sent to summer camp to learn to be a good sister, ahead of the birth of her family's baby. Real topics like sharing, love and kindness are touched on with a light hand. Love it.
June 17, 2022
Lulu, that spoiled, cantankerous, strident little brat, is back on the warpath. This time, she’s throwing a tantrum because Mom and Dad are getting a new baby.
You can tell that Lulu isn’t really the problem here. Her parents are overindulgent, weak-kneed people who are actually afraid of their daughter and have to resort to pleadings and bribes to get her to behave when she flies into one of her patented rages.
I recommend spankings. Long, hard, palm-blistering spankings. Then again, they could just let Lulu carry out one of her imbecilic threats: lock herself in her room, never talk to her parents again or hold her breath until she turns blue. (The latter prospect is especially enticing since the same result could be achieved easily by holding her head under water until she chokes.)
But these are liberal 21st-century parents and they’d no more spank their little hellion than they’d fly to the moon. So they send Lulu away to Sister in Training camp. Huh. She misbehaves, makes threats and sulks and her reward is to be sent to camp? Sometimes I just can’t believe white people.
Lulu’s decision to capitulate has unexpected consequences. She’s given bad ideas to torment her proxy sibling (which backfire), is saddled with truly irritating twins and has to deal with bullies. However, she comes to realize that her own baby sibling might not be so bad…as long as Lulu gets to be the perfect, shining example of being a Big Sister.
Lulu doesn’t undergo a miraculous transformation into a decent kid. She’s still rather awful in comparison to other fictional children. But she does come to a grudging acceptance about her impending sisterhood. With Lulu, that’s the best we can hope for, isn’t it?
You can tell that Lulu isn’t really the problem here. Her parents are overindulgent, weak-kneed people who are actually afraid of their daughter and have to resort to pleadings and bribes to get her to behave when she flies into one of her patented rages.
I recommend spankings. Long, hard, palm-blistering spankings. Then again, they could just let Lulu carry out one of her imbecilic threats: lock herself in her room, never talk to her parents again or hold her breath until she turns blue. (The latter prospect is especially enticing since the same result could be achieved easily by holding her head under water until she chokes.)
But these are liberal 21st-century parents and they’d no more spank their little hellion than they’d fly to the moon. So they send Lulu away to Sister in Training camp. Huh. She misbehaves, makes threats and sulks and her reward is to be sent to camp? Sometimes I just can’t believe white people.
Lulu’s decision to capitulate has unexpected consequences. She’s given bad ideas to torment her proxy sibling (which backfire), is saddled with truly irritating twins and has to deal with bullies. However, she comes to realize that her own baby sibling might not be so bad…as long as Lulu gets to be the perfect, shining example of being a Big Sister.
Lulu doesn’t undergo a miraculous transformation into a decent kid. She’s still rather awful in comparison to other fictional children. But she does come to a grudging acceptance about her impending sisterhood. With Lulu, that’s the best we can hope for, isn’t it?
August 23, 2018
Lulu Is Getting a Sister by Judith Viorst, illustrated by Kevin Cornell, 178 pages. CHAPTER BOOK. Atheneum (Simon and Schuster), 2018. $17.
Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: G
BUYING ADVISORY: EL – ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Lulu is NOT too old for tantrums, as she clearly demonstrates when she hears that in a few short months, she will be getting a baby sister. She has been the only child for a long time now, and likes it that way, thank you very much. Her parents have anticipated that Lulu might not be totally thrilled with the news, and so are ready to bribe her to attend Camp Sisterhood for two weeks where she has been signed up to practice being a big sister with a “temporary” younger sibling assigned to her. When her first temporary sister ends up being a set of identical twins who beat her at Scrabble and swimming, she is assigned another temporary sibling, a little boy who is completely opposite and demanding in his own way. Along the way, she actually learns some important lessons.
This is the fourth book featuring Lulu, a character who is stubborn, spoiled, and conceited, and yet endearingly resourceful and pragmatic as well. This is a stand-alone story with short chapters, a larger font size, expressive spot art, and a narrator that makes wry comments throughout. The prospect of getting a younger sibling is shared by many young readers, and Lulu’s antics at Camp Sisterhood will tickle many funny bones.
P K Foster, teacher-librarian
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...
Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: G
BUYING ADVISORY: EL – ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Lulu is NOT too old for tantrums, as she clearly demonstrates when she hears that in a few short months, she will be getting a baby sister. She has been the only child for a long time now, and likes it that way, thank you very much. Her parents have anticipated that Lulu might not be totally thrilled with the news, and so are ready to bribe her to attend Camp Sisterhood for two weeks where she has been signed up to practice being a big sister with a “temporary” younger sibling assigned to her. When her first temporary sister ends up being a set of identical twins who beat her at Scrabble and swimming, she is assigned another temporary sibling, a little boy who is completely opposite and demanding in his own way. Along the way, she actually learns some important lessons.
This is the fourth book featuring Lulu, a character who is stubborn, spoiled, and conceited, and yet endearingly resourceful and pragmatic as well. This is a stand-alone story with short chapters, a larger font size, expressive spot art, and a narrator that makes wry comments throughout. The prospect of getting a younger sibling is shared by many young readers, and Lulu’s antics at Camp Sisterhood will tickle many funny bones.
P K Foster, teacher-librarian
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...
June 30, 2018
3 1/2 stars. Another fun book about the snotty, spoiled, selfish, and yet cute and endearing, Lulu. So many little things to love.
A few annoyances at the end. First, something you could probably predict by the middle of the book, namely, Not to mention,
Finally, (don't read this one if you really want to not know anything about the plot) at the end,
A few annoyances at the end. First, something you could probably predict by the middle of the book, namely, Not to mention,
Finally, (don't read this one if you really want to not know anything about the plot) at the end,
November 12, 2019
Everything about the first book in this series that I adored was kind of abandoned in this book. The fun and catchy repeated poem from the first book turned into multiple longer poems that weren't fun and catchy. The short clever chapters turned into long annoying chapters. Even the awesome illustrator was exchanged for a different one. I read this to my second grader and she said she liked it, but to me it was like the way kids say they like any terrible animated film they see streaming online after they have watched all the good ones. I dreaded reading this book every night and the thing felt like it never ended. So disappointing considering how much I absolutely loved the first book. The library didn't have books 2 or 3 available so I eagerly checked this one out because I wanted more good stuff like that awesome brontosaurus book, but I'm not sure I even want to bother with them. What a bummer.
September 21, 2018
In Lulu is Getting a Sister, Lulu is sent off to Camp Sisterhood after she takes the news of a baby sister rather poorly. At camp, Lulu is determined to be the worst big sister ever to her temporary little siblings. And she does succeed in getting sent to the office a few times. But in the end, however reluctant, however rude, however mean Lulu tries to be to her "siblings," it seems like she might be getting the hang of being an older sister.
Lulu is my spirit animal. I can't believe I hadn't seen any of her books before. This is a very cute new addition to the series.
Lulu is my spirit animal. I can't believe I hadn't seen any of her books before. This is a very cute new addition to the series.
October 3, 2018
The Lulu books have always been perfect for their intended audience in my opinion. The storyline has enough humor that is rich enough to make you laugh, but not too deep to go over a young readers head and the lessons learned are clear and simple. I enjoy how Viorst inserts herself into the writing and carries on a conversation with the reader.
This book is perfect for anyone looking for a little humor, but would also be a great read for that only child who will be getting a younger sibling soon.
This book is perfect for anyone looking for a little humor, but would also be a great read for that only child who will be getting a younger sibling soon.
Read
August 8, 2020This entertaining book demonstrates how difficult it can be for some children to share their life with a new baby brother or sister on the way, if they are used to being an only child. It also brings a perspective of how children might cope with a newborn which could be a reason why their behavior changes which can be positive or negative. It’s a great story to show children how to love and share even when it might be at times difficult to do so.
July 5, 2018
There’s humor here, though the main character is selfish, conceited, and spoiled. And there’s growth. Additionally, the anxiety of learning you’re to be an older sibling soon, and navigating new circumstances at a summer camp, are both situations that will be of interest to the book’s target audience.
August 12, 2018
Another great Lulu book!
This one follows Lulu's journey through Camp Sisterhood, where Lulu is a Sister In Training to prepare for the arrival of her new baby sister.
This story is full of funny situations that put Lulu right in her place. We laughed with every little mishap. Highly entertaining!
This one follows Lulu's journey through Camp Sisterhood, where Lulu is a Sister In Training to prepare for the arrival of her new baby sister.
This story is full of funny situations that put Lulu right in her place. We laughed with every little mishap. Highly entertaining!
November 25, 2018
It's been a while since the last Lulu book. I must admit that Lulu came across more bratty than sassy and lovable in this one. The storyline at the camp dragged a bit for me. I also really miss Lane Smith's illustrations. I'm kind of disappointed that we didn't even get to see Lulu with her new sister at the end of the book, or even learn her sister's name.
January 16, 2019
I guess I shouldn’t review because I DNF. I think I just wasn’t in the mood for this one. Read most of it and then decided there were better things to do..
I am a Judith fan, was hoping her characters could still have great voice but not all be the similar pitch (whiny etc).. they’re starting to all feel the same? Maybe I’ll pick this up another time and appreciate it better. For now, eh.
I am a Judith fan, was hoping her characters could still have great voice but not all be the similar pitch (whiny etc).. they’re starting to all feel the same? Maybe I’ll pick this up another time and appreciate it better. For now, eh.
February 20, 2019
Although I think that Lulu's parents could use a lesson in parenting, and that Lulu greatly suffers from that, this book still had some redeeming qualities in that Lulu learns some important lessons about becoming a sister, and maybe even gets a taste of her own medicine in this 4th book in the series.
March 31, 2025
Lulu is undoubtedly the most insufferable protagonist of any book series I have ever read. But the stories this author writes about her are extremely entertaining. When Lulu is furious about her new baby sister who is on the way, her parents send her to a camp where she is assigned a younger sibling to learn how to be nice. I enjoyed all three of the younger siblings 😁 especially the little boy.
June 4, 2018
Lulu is kind of like Junie B. Jones but on a really, really, really bad day. She is making progress to being a better person - jury still out. Probably we’ll find out next book when the new baby arrives.
June 8, 2018
Lulu is back and she does not disappoint! What a fun read with many laugh out loud moments--I especially like Lulu's songs! Thank you for another great installment in this series! Highly recommend to fans of Junie B. Jones!
September 8, 2018
Lulu is pretty dead set against a baby sister. I laughed out loud at a few of the moments in this quick read. Definitely a good one for a kid who might not be all that excited that their only child status is ending!
Read
September 23, 2019Not as good as the other Lulu books we’ve read, but another fun chance to explore the phenomenon of the naughty narrator. (My 7yo kept wanting to side with her “because she’s the main character,” even though she’s super rotten.)
February 4, 2023
This one was definitely my fav out of the four! Reading about how she changed and learn to love her “siblings” was so heartwarming! Through her own Lulu way she figures out how to come to terms with getting a new sibling and it was just so heartwarming to see how she grows throughout the book.
May 23, 2018
Cute story for young readers
May 25, 2018
Lulu's back! I've always enjoyed the style of these books. I also like how she always comes around to learning her lesson.
June 2, 2018
The Lulu I loved from book one is back! Laughed out loud, but there’s so much heart in this book for siblings, too!
4.5 stars
4.5 stars
July 28, 2018
Fantastically funny book about becoming a sister and going to sister camp.
August 15, 2018
This is such a cute book!! My daughter and I couldn't resist this hilarious addition to the Lulu series!!
September 11, 2018
I could relate to this book a lot, which made it very enjoyable, in my opinion.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews