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Author Zilpha Keatley Snyder booklist (click here)

Book Review By Bridgette Redman
The Headless Cupid by Zilpha Keatley Snyder

The Headless Cupid is the story of a new family and the adventures they run into while melding into a new home. David has long been the oldest in the family, an 11-year old who has helped care for his younger siblings (Janie, 6, and the twins Esther and Blair, 4) since their mother died. When the book opens, they are awaiting the arrival of Amanda, their new 12-year-old stepsister.

Amanda is a little strange, to say the least. Her hair is braided and done up in odd circles. She has a magnetic triangle on her forehead. She later explains that this is her cult outfit. She is hoping to be able to begin communicating with her crow familiar that day—a crow that is rather hostile toward her.

David has never met anyone quite like Amanda, though he thinks she is "cool". But he simply doesn't understand why being cool means not talking to adults or acting put-upon all the time. Amanda, eager for attention, makes David and his siblings acolytes. Along the way, strange things begin happening.


Plot & Themes
Tone of book? - upbeat
Time/era of story - 1960's-1970's
Kids growing up/acting up? Yes
Family, struggle with Yes
Struggle with: - Sister
Is this an adult or child's book? - Age 7-10
Age group of kid(s) in story: - grade school
Parents/lack of parents problem?

Main Character
Gender - Male
Age: - a kid
Ethnicity/Nationality

Main Adversary
Identity: - Female
Age: - a kid
Eccentric/Smart/Dumb: Yes
Eccentric:
How sensitive is this character?
Intelligence - Average intelligence

Setting
How much descriptions of surroundings? - 3 ()
United States Yes
The US: - California

Writing Style
Amount of dialog - significantly more dialog than descript
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