Anastasia at This Address

At 13, the inimitable Anastasia Krupnik is ready for romance--if not with the immature boys at school, then perhaps with the mysterious and intriguing 28-year-old ``SWM'' whose personals ad catches her eye. Adopting her own carefully chosen acronym and interpreting the truth liberally in response to SWM's queries, Anastasia sets in motion a memorable and hilarious exchange. When it appears her correspondent may come to town and want to meet, her scheme threatens to backfire as only Anastasia's schemes can. Though Lowry's ( Number the Stars ) plot relies too heavily on coincidence, Anastasia herself is at her best here: headstrong, inventive, endearing and irrepressible, though not above learning from her mistakes. Ages 8-12. (Apr.)