Konrad, by Christine Nostlinger (written “Nöstlinger” in her native German), is a wonderful story that explores the question of whether or not it is best to do what people expect of you.
When Mrs. Bartolotti receives a package from a mysterious factory containing a perfect 7-year-old, she doesn’t remember ordering him. Still, she and Konrad get along very well despite the fact that he is a perfect boy and she is anything but a perfect mother. Although he is too well-behaved for her wacky tastes, they quickly become very fond of each other. But trouble looms when the factory notifies Mrs. Bartolotti that Konrad was shipped to her by mistake and they want him back.
Soon, Konrad has to go into hiding as uniformed agents from the factory come to track him down. It is clear that he won’t be able to evade them for long. Something has to be done to make the factory decide they don’t want Konrad back after all. Kitty, the girl who lives in the apartment below Mrs. Bartolotti, comes up with an inspired plan.
Christine Nostlinger has written many books, and several besides Konrad are available in English.
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