Oh, I really enjoyed the Family Fletcher! The characters are relatable, realistic, and funny; the situations are both silly and mundane. But most of all, the book is touching. There aren't many middle-grade books starring a gaggle of boys that have made me both laugh and cry.

Levy's book also provides readers a wonderful introduction to the diversity they'll meet in their schools and neighborhoods -- diversity of religions, of races, of personalities, of family situations, and more. Everyone should be able to find someone to relate to among the Family Fletcher and their friends. Everyone should also be able to gain a better understanding of someone different from themselves by seeing someone similar in the pages of Levy's book.

I hope there will be more adventures of the Family Fletcher to come!

Note: I received a digital galley of this book through NetGalley. ( )

Fun, funny school story with a family full of boys -- 2 dads, 4 adopted kids, a dog and a cat, all male. Nice mix of diversity in the family, clear respect and interest in cultural holidays for all the kids and in making their own family traditions that work for them. It's basically a gentle, wacky school story like the Penderwicks or the Quimbys, and the normalcy of day to day life is the attraction. There are challenges and mistakes and great times together. ( )

The family Fletcher is a great easy read with a lot of great lessons to be learned. It's interesting and humorous and keeps your attention. The characters are extremely relatable and lovable. The 4 boys all have very different personalities, but they still manage to get along and love each other through the various challenges they face throughout the year in which the story takes place. From an angry misunderstood neighbor, a Halloween party rained out, a new school, new school activities, soccer, and much more. ( )

I enjoyed this book, but it has a few flaws. First of all it oozed so much with political correctness, that it almost became stereotypical and over idealized. Secondly I missed a real plot. The reader just follows the family for a year. Third, the ending was too much like ¨and they lived happily ever after. And last, I don't know if children 7 to 10 years old understand the changing of the point of view in each chapter.

That said the pace of the book is excellent, it will hold a child's attention. The events in the book are recognizable and humorous. The author created a cheerful and safe setting for her characters, which comforts children.

I have given it three stars, because I think the pros and cons kind of even each other out. ( )

With its concentration on all four brothers, it made it a little hard to get into until about halfway through when it hit its stride. ( )