Twelve-year-old Annabel thought Christmas break was going to be amazing. She’d planned to stay home in New York City with her best friend and do traditional things like go ice-skating in Rockefeller Center, hit the after-Christmas sale at Bloomingdale’ s, and scream with the TRL crowd at MTV in Times Square. But when her best friend bails, Annabel’s mom decides it’s high time Annabel visit her father and his new family in Australia. Annabel is not pleased about traveling around the world to meet “the steps”–twelve-year-old fashion-disaster stepsister, five-year-old stepbrother, and baby half sister–but she’s not going to waste this chance to steal her father back.
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"I love this book! It's so relatable, I really feel the emotions of Annabel as she visits her father in Australia. Annabel's father has gotten remarried and moved across the world, where he lives with his two stepkids. These new step-siblings cause a lot of mixed feelings for Annabel, and she goes through a lot of change in this book. The characters undergo a lot of development throught the story as well. This is a wonderful book for the upper elementary school or middle school reader."
— Shauna (5 out of 5 stars)
" WOW!!!!! THIS IS AN AWESOME BOOK!!!! READ IT!!!! "
— Emma, 2/14/2014" I gave this book three stars because it was exciting. It was a little slow at the beginning, but towards the middle and the end, it was fantastic. I really liked that the two girls were totally different, yet they got along pretty well at the end. I like how the girl who seemed like the total 'goodie-goodie' was the one who came up with the plan to run away to her grandma's house. It was a really good book, and it kept me reading. I hope more people read this book, because it was pretty good. "
— Noelle, 2/12/2014" This is actually an enjoyable book. Cohn is not my favourite author, but this book has an upbeat message and could find fans. "
— Debbie, 2/10/2014" Twelve-year-old Annabel was planning to stay home with her best friend in Nyc for Christmas, but everyhting gets ruined. Her mom decides that she should visit her dad and his " new "family in Australia. Disappointed, she goes and meets "the steps", a twelve-year-old fashion-disaster stepsister,a five-year-old stepbrother, and a baby half sister. She is determined to win her father back with this trip. During this time, she learns more about her other family members and realizes that her dad still loves her even though he is with someone else. She returns back liking her step family more. This book was okay and it had a lot about family issues. People that like family issues should read this. This book was really that interesting though! "
— Xiao, 2/9/2014" Wow...I think that all of her books are amazing <,> "
— Kristen, 1/26/2014" This book was ok. The Steps is not one of the books I would choose to do a book report or anything on. It is a short book,easy read. "
— 10-11, 1/22/2014" Perfectly amiable, breezy read about a tween fashion plate who unexpectedly winds up with a phalanx of steps. "
— Catherine, 1/12/2014" this book is great! It really helps people learn about relationships with your faimily. "
— Rachel, 1/12/2014" I've never been able to get into Rachel Cohn, unfortunately. "
— Danielle, 12/28/2013" It seems like an interesting book so far. I'll should be finished with it quick though...... "
— Lauren, 12/10/2013" Definitely younger than her other books - but has the same themes of mixed families, sassy girls. This one I would also add to my travelling-girl booklist, for all the Aussie local colour. "
— Meredith, 12/9/2013" This book was about a girl getting to know her international step siblings. While not my favorite by this author it's a great look into a situation that many kids find themselves in these days. Despite a precictable ending, I am excited to read the sequel. "
— Abby, 12/3/2013" This book is very good! It is a heartfelt story, yet is funny, sarcastic, and you can really relate to the characters. "
— Avery, 7/16/2013" i decided to read it bc i saw it in the box and it was short. i actually liked it, thought it would be too girly, but had a little angst. i liked focusing on their hectic lives than be involved in my boring one. it was fun and easy to read. "
— Jaide, 9/24/2012" i was obsessed with this book forever! "
— Rachel, 2/23/2012" I loved this book, it is by far one of the best books i have ever read. People can actually connect to the book and understand what they are talking about! I would tell a lot of people to read this book. "
— 6maginn_taylor, 1/20/2012" A sweet, innocent story about a girl meeting her "steps" for the first time. I don't usually like ooey-gooey sweetness, but Rachel Cohn is really good at introducing just a little bit of subversiveness to keep it interesting. "
— Kate, 11/1/2011" Quick read about a girl learning to find her place with the new family members in her life after her parents go their separate ways. The characters and the experiences seemed very true. "
— Robynn, 7/25/2011" Funny.. but probably for the wrong reasons. I'd say this book is better for kids younger than myself but I enjoyed it anyway! Short chapters - winner. "
— Rachel, 7/18/2011" The author manages to keep you turning the pages.I have read this book 20 times and cant get enough. Love it while hating it....is that even possible? "
— SophieElana, 6/13/2011" It was a minor fantastical book "
— Sophia, 12/28/2010" this book is great! It really helps people learn about relationships with your faimily. "
— Rachel, 9/14/2010" yeah this book was good. Its bout an american girl who comes to see her dad in Australia, but shes a grumpy little bum cuz her dad has a family and shes jelous even no she wont admit it. "
— Da, 7/18/2010" Annabel is sent to Australia over Christmas vacation to spend time with her dad and the Steps. She does not want steps, she just wants her dad to move back to New York where she doesn't have to share him. "
— Mary, 10/29/2009" Quick read about a girl learning to find her place with the new family members in her life after her parents go their separate ways. The characters and the experiences seemed very true. "
— Robynn, 8/12/2009" I ordered this through the book order at school and it was much skinnier than I expected. It wasn't bad though. It was interesting and kept me reading. I liked it just didn't love it. "
— Sara, 8/3/2009" i decided to read it bc i saw it in the box and it was short. i actually liked it, thought it would be too girly, but had a little angst. i liked focusing on their hectic lives than be involved in my boring one. it was fun and easy to read. "
— Jaide, 2/22/2009" It seems like an interesting book so far. I'll should be finished with it quick though...... "
— Lauren, 2/20/2009" WOW!!!!! THIS IS AN AWESOME BOOK!!!! READ IT!!!! "
— Emma, 2/18/2009Rachel Cohn is the bestselling author of You Know Where to Find Me, Gingerbread, Shrimp, Cupcake, Pop Princess, and, with David Levithan, Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist and Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares. Born in Washington, DC, she graduated from Barnard College in New York and has lived on both coasts. She now lives in New York City.
Caitlin Greer has appeared on television, been a motion capture performer for animation and video games, and voiced many characters for film, television, video games, and radio. She was honored by the American Library Association as part of Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults and is an IGN Award–winner and two-time nominee for Best Voice Acting: Game Ensemble.