Family Game Night

Reviewed by: Jeri Fitzpatrick - GNGMS, Gray, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: October 1, 2017

Review

Unfortunately I clicked on illustrations and there are none .But now that I have your attention, this is a great book about a family that doesn't function well, and how kids hide problems from friends, and how families learn to heal. Annabelle's mom is a hoarder. Mom has a system newspapers of even dates, milk jugs, camping equipment, toys... The only room that isn't stacked with stuff to the ceilings is Annabelle's. Annabelle's room is clean because she open her second story window one day and threw everything out that wasn't hers. Then she checks her room every day to make sure nothing has found it way in. She has an older high school brother who is never home. A little sister who makes herself sick. A's rule is never to allow anyone from school within five miles from her home. I found these lines very well written and so true: "Complaining about parents is sort of like an Olympic Sport. But I don't compete. The kids with real problems never do....You almost never hear the other stuff. "Mom was drunk again." or "Dad didn't have enough money for bail." A's dad has had enough and he runs away from home. Grandma comes, she hasn't been here in years. The calm of everyday life falls apart, then things slowly get better.

Overall Book Score: excellent