Colleen read The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher and this is what she thought…
With two dads, four brothers, a cat, a dog, and an imaginary cheetah named Flare – this book is truly overflowing with misadventures! The story follows the Fletchers through one school year. Sam (twelve-years-old) lives and breathes soccer, but his teacher is hinting he should tryout for the school play. Jax (ten-years-old) is sure it’ll be fine to wait another week – or two – before getting started on his big interview-a-veteran project. Eli (ten-years-old, but younger than Jax) is psyched about starting at a new school for the gifted. Frog (six-years-old) is heading off to elementary school this year and worried about where invisible Flare will sit during class!
The theme of the book is family and growing up. The brothers are able to depend on one another, Dad, Papa, and their Aunt Lucy as they each take on a new challenge. The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher is a realistic portrayal of a large family as the siblings squabble and mistakes are made by children and adults alike. Each chapter starts with some written correspondence, like a note on the fridge, an email, or even a newspaper article. These provide extra glimpses into the family dynamic. My favorite character is definitely Frog as he is full of energy and imagination. I genuinely laughed out loud on numerous occasions, like when Frog said Flare’s cousin (also imaginary) would be coming for the holidays.
Who would you recommend this book to?
This book is a great read-aloud for the whole family! Each chapter is narrated by a different brother, allowing their different personalities and perspectives to shine through. The reading level is for children ages 8-12, but the characters and their hijinks will be enjoyed by children, teens, and parents alike. You can follow the family’s story over the summer holidays in The Family Fletcher Takes Rock Island. The author, Dana Alison Levy, also wrote a companion book about a supporting character’s family as they take a cross-country road trip called This Would Make a Good Story Someday.
