''Zooman Sam'' (1999) is a children's novel by

Lois Lowry Lois Ann Lowry (; née Hammersberg; March 20, 1937) is an American writer. She is the author of several books for children and young adults, including '' The Giver Quartet,'' ''Number the Stars'', and '' Rabble Starkey.'' She is known for writing ...

. It is part of a series that Lowry wrote about Anastasia and her younger brother Sam.

Plot summary

It's Future Job Day at Sam's

nursery school A preschool, also known as nursery school, pre-primary school, or play school or creche, is an educational establishment or learning space offering early childhood education to children before they begin compulsory education at primary schoo ...

, and Sam, who has zookeeping aspirations, is thrilled when his teacher says he can tell the other children about a series of zoo animals: "For six weeks he could stand in front of the circle and feel that feeling of being the most interesting person in the room." As always, the patient and loving Krupnik family stands by as Anastasia's irrepressible little brother struggles with a set of almost impossible goals.

Reception

Kirkus Reviews finds that "The plotting is leisurely, the story is slender, and a subplot about the training of the family dog barely registers." and "... the material runs out of steam before the novel ends." but "Fans of the Sam books may find satisfaction in the nicely foreshadowed but still unanticipated punch line." Rob Reid spoke positively "It's a hilarious scene that will have the elementary-age crowd laughing."

References

External links

Description of the book from Lowry's website

Lowry's website
by Lowry * 2001 American novels 2001 children's books American children's novels Novels by Lois Lowry Children's novels about animals {{2000s-child-novel-stub