Andy Russell

Series · 6 books · 1998-2005

By David A. Adler

Books in series

The Many Troubles of Andy Russell

1998

Boy, does Andy have troubles! His gerbils escaped and are scampering all over the basement. He's late for school and he sure doesn't want to give that boring Ms. Roman another excuse to call his parents. And he planned to ask his parents today if his good friend Tamika could live with his family until her parents fully recover from a terrible accident. It is definitely not a good day for gerbil troubles. And when Andy learns that his mother is pregnant, he knows he'll have to do some really fancy footwork if his family is going to make room for Tamika. If gerbils threaten to foul up his plan, his meddlesome sister, Rachel, could make matters even worse. It's a good thing for Andy that he's charming and full of bright ideas. As this first chapter book in a new series unfolds, it's clear the Russell household is in for more trouble—and lots of fun!

Andy and Tamika

1999

Tamika prepares to move in with the Russells temporarily. Meanwhile, Andy makes a surprising new friend—and discovers what family really means.

School Trouble for Andy Russell

1999

Andy Russell tries—he really does. But his teacher, Ms. Roman, can be so boring. He daydreams in class and forgets about tests. But when Ms. Roman is out sick, Andy’s class gets a fishy substitute teacher and things turn from bad to worse. Guess who’s sent to the principal’s office when someone starts playing tricks on the sub! In the midst of the chaos, Andy and his friends learn how to solve some difficult problems—and Andy discovers that sometimes we don’t recognize the people who care about us the most.

Parachuting Hamsters and Andy Russell

2000

Andy and Tamika can’t wait for a weekend of fun in the big city, but Tamika’s aunt Mandy has planned trips to boring museums and fancy restaurants. Even worse, someone is dropping hamsters off the top of Aunt Mandy’s building, causing trouble everywhere . . . and getting Andy blamed. It’s a big-city mystery that only Andy Russell can solve!

Andy Russell, NOT Wanted by the Police

2001

Andy Russell’s neighbors have asked nine-year-old Andy and his best friend, Tamika, to watch their house while they are away. But when Andy sees unexplained lights and movements, he becomes convinced there is an intruder next door! The problem is . . . whenever he tries to show his family and the police what he sees, everything is back to normal. Now Detective Andy Russell must prove that he's not just a pest—that there is something suspicious going on!

It's a Baby, Andy Russell

2005

While Andy Russell's parents are at the hospital with his newborn brother, Andy is having big problems at home. His strange aunt Janet has come to babysit, and she's on a mission to rid the house of germs in preparation for the baby. Andy is convinced his aunt wants him to clean all of his "germy" pets . . . right out of the house! The sixth book in the Andy Russell series is filled with hilarious misunderstandings, warm reunions, and a sweet new addition to the Russell family.

Author

David A. Adler

Author · 215 books

David Abraham Adler is an American children's author. He was born in New York City, New York in 1947. He graduated from Queens College in 1968 with a bachelor's degree in economics and education. For the next nine years, he worked as a mathematics teacher for the New York City Board of Education, while taking classes towards a master's degree in marketing, a degree he was awarded by New York University in 1971. In that same year, a question from his then-three-year-old nephew inspired Adler to write his first story, A Little at a Time, subsequently published by Random House in 1976. Adler's next project, a series of math books, drew on his experience as a math teacher. In 1977, he created his most famous character, Cam Jansen, originally featured in Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Stolen Diamonds, which was published that year. Adler married psychologist Renee Hamada in 1973, and their first child, Michael, was born in 1977. By that time Adler had taken a break from teaching and, while his wife continued her work, he stayed home, took care of Michael, and began a full-time writing career. Adler's son, Michael S. Adler, is now the co-author of several books with his father, including A Picture Book of Sam Adams, A Picture Book of John Hancock, and A Picture Book of James and Dolly Madison. Another son, Edward, was the inspiration for Adler's Andy Russell series, with the events described in the series loosely based on adventures the Adler family had with Edward's enthusiasm and his pets. As of November 2008, Adler has three sons and two grandsons. He lives in Woodmere, New York. (source: Wikipedia)