Written by Mary Lambert
Annabelle has a family like most people–they drive her nuts, but she loves them. Her older brother, Chad, spends as much time as possible away from the house. Her little sister, Leslie tries to be upbeat and lives in her messy room the best she can and Annabelle’s dad tries to pretend that everything is normal. Annabelle’s mom likes to keep, well, everything. But there’s an order to it!
One day, Annabelle’s dad packs his bags and says he’s going on his England tour early. He doesn’t speak, text, email or call the entire time he’s gone. Annabelle feels like her Five-Mile-Radius rule sometimes isn’t enough and Leslie has a hard time throwing things away.
Annabella is a sweet character that tries to deal with her hoarder of a mom, her dad that runs away, the brother that she feels like she never sees, and she tries very hard to protect her little sister.
I thought this was a great story that will have something that everyone can relate too–whether it be the sibling, the grandma that gets into everyone’s business, or the parents that sometimes fight. It’s also a great lesson that family is really important no matter what’s “wrong” with them and that a lot of people have something they aren’t excited about in their lives.
Review by Allyson Rolfe, Granger Elementary Media Center
Rating: ★★★★½ (4.5 stars)
Interest Level: Grades 4-6
Family Game Night and Other Catastrophes
Written by Mary Lambert
Scholastic Press
x pages
Release Date: February 28, 2017
A review copy was provided by the publisher.
Thanks for your review.
That sounds like a great book. Thanks for the review.