Abby Takes Over

Abby Takes Over 

Abby Takes Over is an enjoyable book that can keep can keep anyone interested throughout the story. At the beginning of the story the author makes you aware of the situation Abby’s family has been through. Abby’s brother Daniel had fallen off his two-wheeler and broken his collarbone. Abby’s sister Lisa had pneumonia all through Christmas vacation and dad lost one job but luckily found another one a month later. All these events lead dad to make the decision to send mom away for a vacation. He decides it would be a good idea to let mom go to Washington to visit her friend Caroline for a few days. At first, mom was hesitant about going to Washington, but she was convinced by everyone.

The day mom leaves to Washington Abby, Lisa and Daniel decide to have a barbecue to surprise dad. The barbecue ends up bringing the fireman and a fine to the Thorne’s apartment. That night Mom called and to Abby’s surprise dad said nothing about what happened and just said everything was fine.

The next afternoon Lisa had gone home ahead of Abby because Abby had to pick up Daniel at his friend’s house. As Abby and Daniel came into their apartment Daniel went looking for Lisa. However, Lisa was nowhere to be found around the apartment. They both thought she had run away so they went looking for her with the neighbors. They were both relieved when she walked back into apartment. They found out she had left the apartment to go bury patience her guinea pig.

After the incident with Lisa they had the pleasant visit dad’s cousin Dora and Mr. Adelphi and Romeo a chimpanzee. Mr. Adelphi and Romeo had just moved to the building on the ground floor so that decided to invite them to dinner. Daniel was delighted to have the chimpanzee at home to play with. However, Romeo did not feel like behaving that night and went leaping off through the apartment. Mr. Adelphi had to take him back home to let everyone have dinner.

At the end, they were all ready for mom to back home. Once mom was home, Abby was able to have a conversation with mom in which she seems to have to understand that her mother’s role was not as easy as she thought it was.

Description of the Main Characters

Abby: She is he oldest sister. She is a brave, responsible loving girl who day dreams and questions herself all the time.
Lisa: She is the middle sister. She is an independent, smart and hot tempered girl.
Daniel: He is the baby brother. He is a smart, creative very playful kid with great imagination.
Dad (Alfred): He is very hardworking and caring for his family. He has a lot of patience towards others.
Mom (Sally): She is very loving and dedicated to her family.
Mrs. Dooner: She is an annoying neighbor, who is very cranky and exceptionally sensitive to noise.
Mr. Lemrow: A lonely sad old man.
Henry: A smart and friendly man.

8 new Words and Definitions

1. Swarming: Moving in or forming a large or dense group.
2. Billowed: To surge or roll in billows; to swell out or bulge.
3. Flickering: Burning or shining unsteadily; wavering.
4. Airshaft: A ventilating shaft in a building.
5. Swirling: Moving in a twisting or spiraling pattern.
6. Stirring: An initial sign of activity, movement or emotion.
7. Liverwurst: A seasoned meat paste in the form of a sausage containing cooked liver, or a mixture of liver and pork.
8. Whiz: A whistling or whooshing sound made by something moving fast through the air.

Two quotes from the book

” Don’t give yourself such a hard time. Let yourself say yes.” Pg.21
This quote in particular really caught my attention. I believe that is so important for everyone to understand that sometimes we just have to let ourselves say yes to new experiences. To step out of our comfort zone and sometimes be a little selfish and think for ourselves and not for others. At the end of the day, nobody will.

” Grown-ups are not always grown-ups.” Pg.99
To me this quote means that sometimes adults don’t act like a fully grown person. Sometimes we just let our inner kid take place and help us enjoy the moment. Other times the decisions we make seem to be made by a kid instead of an adult. I believe it all has to be balance out in order to have fun in life.

Recommendation

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone. It is an entertaining story which at the end teaches the reader a great lesson. The different kind of situations Abby faces during the week she is in charge, make you laugh and even lead you to identify yourself with her. I highly recommend this book from Phyllis La Farge.