cover image Moving in

Moving in

Alfred Slote. J.P. Lippincott, $12.95 (167pp) ISBN 978-0-397-32261-9

Robby's familya father and a sisterhave moved several times, and he's resisting this latest one, even after it has happened. He and his sister Peggy worry their father will marry his new partner in the computer business, Mrs. Lowenfeld. Peggy wants her father to marry their housekeeper, and Robby copies an important computer program to give to the competitionMrs. Lowenfeld's ex-husbandhoping they'll then have to move back to their old hometown. In this light, sometimes funny book, the characters base every single action on rather incredible misconceptions. Robby's father wants to marry Mrs. Lowenfeld, but she is quietly becoming engaged to someone else; the housekeeper falls for Mr. Lowenfeld. And Robby's new friend, Beth Lowenfeld, is still trying to bring her folks back together. The motives for most of Robby's actions are well established but weak, and the boy artificially introduces memories of past events which are then repeatedby him or by othersin the present. This is bound to disappoint fans of Rabbit Ears, My Robot Buddy and other Slote gems. Ages 8-11. (April)