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.

Excerpt

Lulu Is Getting a Sister chapter one
It made no sense to Lulu that her mom and her dad were so happy about this baby. Why in the world would they need another child? And why would they want a girl, when they’ve already GOT a girl, namely Lulu, who totally had this girl-in-the-family thing covered?

And wasn’t her mom always hugging her and saying, in the mushiest tone of voice, “You are the greatest treasure of our life”?

And wasn’t her dad always hugging her and saying, with this little sob in his voice, “Nothing on earth brings your mother and me more joy”?

Not to mention all those times her mom and her dad had told her, “Our hearts are filled to the brim with love for you.”

So how come—if their hearts were filled to the brim—there was room left in their hearts for another kid?

Lulu didn’t bother asking that question. Instead, arms folded across her chest, and a glittery glare in her eyes, she icily said to her mom and her dad, “Maybe I won’t be talking to you anymore. Maybe I’ll go into my room and never come out. Maybe I’ll hold my breath and keep on holding and holding and holding it till I turn blue. Or maybe I’ll find a new mom and dad who’ll think that I’m so special that they’d never want or need another kid.”

“WE think you’re special!” said Lulu’s mom.

“Very!” said Lulu’s dad.

“Hah!” said Lulu. “Hah!” Then she stomped away.

About The Author

by Milton Viorst

Judith Viorst

Judith Viorst is the author of the beloved Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, which has sold some four million copies; the Lulu books, including Lulu and the Brontosaurus; the New York Times bestseller Necessary Losses; four musicals; and poetry for children and adults. Her most recent books of poetry include What Are You Glad About? What Are You Mad About? and Nearing Ninety. She lives in Washington, DC.

About The Illustrator

Kevin Cornell

Kevin Cornell’s secret spy headquarters are located in Philadelphia. He has successfully accomplished several thrilling missions, including illustrating Mustache! and Count The Monkeys by Mac Barnett, the Chicken Squad series by Doreen Cronin, and the Lulu series by Judith Viorst. Leave a coded message for him at KevSkinRug.com.

Product Details

Publisher: Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books (April 24, 2018)
Length: 192 pages
ISBN13: 9781481471909
Ages: 6 - 10
Lexile ® 970L The Lexile reading levels have been certified by the Lexile developer, MetaMetrics®
Fountas & Pinnell™ O These books have been officially leveled by using the F&P Text Level Gradient™ Leveling System

Raves and Reviews

Lulu is not thrilled when her parents announce a baby sister will be joining their happy home, which has revolved around their spoiled only daughter’s every whim until now. In this fourth book in the “Lulu” series, which can be read independently, Lulu is quickly packed off to Camp Sisterhood where her counselor-in-chief, Call-Me-Debbie, partners Lulu with a temporary sibling so she can experience the joy of being a big sister. With authorial intrusion, the narrator lends just the right touch of humor to the main character who regularly engages in tantrums and lightbulb-bursting screeches, making an unlikable protagonist entertaining. While most SITs (Sisters-in-Training) connect with one sibling, Lulu mows through three different siblings before realizing that maybe having a little sister “isn’t as bad as getting a tooth pulled.” Lively and comical black-and-white illustrations depict a loudmouthed Lulu and her spirited antics, while short chapters and a generous use of white space will motivate reluctant readers. VERDICT Rich vocabulary and a relatable theme make this an excellent chapter book for children moving beyond beginning readers and an entertaining selection for a classroom read-aloud. Highly recommended.

– School Library Journal *STARRED*, February 1, 2018