Written by Emma Donoghue, Illustrated by Caroline Hadilaksono
This book is a told from the point of view of Sumac Lottery, the 5th of 7 kids (some biological, some adopted) being raised by 4 parents (one gay couple and one lesbian couple.) While in the hospital waiting for the birth of their first child, one of the parents found a lottery ticket that let all the grown ups quit their jobs and buy a huge house and move in together. The family lives a very green life and home schools all the children. There are outings and learning projects and plenty of chaos and everyone is perfectly happy until one of their grandfathers comes to live with them. He doesn’t agree with the lifestyle around him and seems grumpy all the time. Sumac is upset when she has to give up her bedroom to “grumps” and is assigned to help him fit in. As everyone adjusts to each other, they learn that there is always room for one more.
Review by Charlotte Frenzel, Teacher, Whittier Elementary
Rating: ★★★★½ (4.5 stars)
Interest Level: Grades 4-8
The Lotterys Plus One
Written by Emma Donoghue, Illustrated by Caroline Hadilaksono
Arthur A. Levine Books, an imprint of Scholastic Inc.
303 pages
Release Date: March 28, 2017
A review copy was provided by the publisher.
