The Willoughbys

The four Willoughby children come from an old-fashioned sort of family. Unfortunately, they are also laden with an old-fashioned sort of problem - their parents are simply dreadful. Things would be so much better for them if their parents would die, leaving the four of them as poor but deserving orphans. After all, all of the great stories feature orphans who overcome their situation to lead extraordinary lives. And so the children come up with a plan to make their dream come true, receiving help from an unusual nanny and a wealthy benefactor.

Many readers might recognize author Lois Lawry from her novels such as The Giver and Number the Stars. Her latest novel, however, is very different from her usual work. The Willoughbys' story is full of dry, snarky humor that fans of Lemony Snicket will probably find delightful. Many will also appreciate the parody of other "old-fashioned" stories to be found in this novel and the way that it plays off of some tried and true conventions of orphan stories. Definitely recommended for kids who are fans of Lemony Snicket or Roald Dahl, this is also a book that I would suggest as a good option for kids and parents to read together since many adults will greatly appreciate the book's parody.

Overall Grade: A