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The Willoughbys

(2008, Fiction - Humor, Written by Lois Lowry, Illustrated by Lois Lowry)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 7, age appropriate for kids over 8; suggested age 8.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Dark humor may not be to everyone's taste.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 8 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Tim behaves in a sexist manner towards his sister. The children and their parents despise each other: the parents hope to lose the children, while the children hope their parents die.
  • Violence:

    Several deaths, treated humorously, including freezing and falling into a volcano.
  • Sex:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Candy bar and shoe brands mentioned.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Willoughbys

Parents need to know that the black humor here will not be to everyone's taste. Some adults, and even a few kids, may find parents and children who despise each other to be disturbing rather than funny.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the old-fashioned books referenced in the story and discussed at the back. Have you read any of them? Did you like them? Do you prefer old-fashioned books or more modern ones? Why? How are they different? Also, parents and kids may enjoy discussing the difficult words and eccentric definitions in the glossary.

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 8
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive consumerism

    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    This Is The Best Book Ever

  2. I rate this title on for age 9 and give it 4.0

    Lois LOWRY?

    Having read The Giver, I had a hard time imagining the same author writing this book. But hey, we're all a little bipolar, right? I don't disagree that the actually morals of the story are ridiculous. And no, I never did like Tim. But the book comes across as a satire, and I liked it a lot. The dictionary and bibliography were by far the best parts of the book though. Read those if you read nothing else.

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