This book is fast-paced and delightfully zany.

At some points, I couldn't stop reading it because I got caught up in the frenetic pace.

I did flag many scenes that could have used some fleshing out, putting the reader more immediately in the moment, rather than describing what happened, BUT, the fact is, I didn't mind reading it the way it is. I think my reaction was more a knee-jerk reaction from so many years of being told how writing should be. A kid reader isn't going to care. Also, I do wonder if it would have been half as funny if the pacing had been slowed down. Probably hard to maintain.

The voice is so fun, and I personally liked the narrator asides to the reader. Since it was already clearly told from the POV of the narrator, it was a fun voice-y wink to the reader.

All in all, a fun escape for me, and my son has been delighted to read a new book from his current fave author! He will be writing his review separately, as we read it separately.

Thanks for the chance to read the galley!

Reminiscent of Lemony Snicket's "A Series of Unfortunate Events", this story delivered a unique story that felt both nostalgic and fresh!

As a big fan of Michael's previous work, I loved getting to dive back into his fun storytelling style. I can see kids enjoying this story and the absurd and hilarious antics of the Weirdies. The critiques thrown in about class differences (rich vs poor) hit the nail on the head and there were so many real-world messages between the pages written in a way perfect for kids to understand and ruminate on as they grow older. Another unique story from Michael and I look forward to seeing how he expands his literary universe!

A fun mix between Lemony Snicket, the Swifts and the Adams Family , the Weirdies will keep kids engaged with their wild antics until the end. When their parents leave them home alone because they’ve taken the rest of the family and staff (as well as all of their belongings) and an accident at sea ensues, the children must figure out how to survive on their own. Full of misadventures and comedy, young readers will love this book. I eagerly await the next one to see what happens because it left you on a cliffhanger!

The Weirdie triplets wake one morning to find themselves orphans. Every member of their 350+ household has disappeared on an ill-fated cruise, along with all of the house’s furniture and most of the doors. The triplets - Barnacle, Melancholy and Garlic – arrive at an orphanage where they scare off all potential adopters until they are welcomed into the home Miss Emily where they frighten her suburban neighbors.
The children are learning to accept Miss Emily’s unconditional love when two figures from their past make a surprise return, threatening to upend the comfortably strange family they’ve built.
The Weirdies are what would happen if the Addams family had more money and less scruples. Stir in a dash of Edward Gorey and Louis Sachar and you’ve got an idea of the author’s humorous style. Each character is lovably loathsome in their own unique way. Some of the jokes may go over young readers’ heads, and a prolonged bit on the effects of rabies irked me a bit (it was ultimately resolved in a clever way, but I found myself arguing with the book before that resolution). I only wish that the book hadn’t ended in such an abrupt way, leaving me impatiently waiting for book two.
With its absurd dark humor, wonderful illustrations and fast-paced action, The Weirdies makes a great recommendation for young reluctant readers. I can see lots of kids eager to turn the page and discover what the Weirdies get into next.
Thank you to Little, Brown Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for providing the e-arc for my honest review.

I read this book with my boys and we all really enjoyed it! It kept their attention and they didn't want it to be over.

This was a fun book to read with my daughter. Loved the characters and we enjoyed laughing together. Enjoyable for all ages. Hard to find books that keep her interest and are also age appropriate. Looking forward to future books!

This book was fantastic!
I cannot wait for it to be published so I can purchase a copy. Thank you NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to pretend this story. I'm excited to see an audible is available and will be grabbing that to listen to.

Review:
The book is about triplets who grow up in a home where they don't have to do a thing. Their life takes an unexpected turn, when they wake up one day to find their parents, guests/bottlers, and belongings gone... their manner empty. The story continues with the triplets going to an orphanage and their stories of mischief while they wait for adoption.
Other readers say this book is like a mixture of The Addams family mixed with A Siea if Unfortunate Events along with Home Alone...and I couldn't have said it any better! It's a fun book filled with children dark humor.

Highly Recommend!

This was such an unexpected surprise! When I see comps to some of my favorites like A Series of Unfortunate Events & Roald Dahl my interest is piqued.

In The Weirdies you meet the triplets Barnacle, Garlic and Melancholy who have woken up to an empty Deadeye Manor. Their parents/all the other quirky residents as well as all items within the estate have disappeared… they have really left on a vacation without the children which turns into a sunken ship and nothing or no one left behind… or is there? The children are whisked away to an orphanage and then under the care of one of the workers adopted and brought to Sunshine Circle where The Weirdie’s don’t fit into societal norms.

This was just as zany and curious as I was expecting and I think kids would love these rag tag siblings and all the shenanigans they get up to. This one doesn’t release til late summer but I did notice they have an audio available which is narrated by Kate Winslet and I could only imagine how wonderful that is.

Thank you Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Lyon.brit.Andthebookshelf/

I feel like we need more middle grade fiction books that are short. We need kids to be able to read and finish books and there are many kids that are not readers. I loved the characters and humor in the story. It was funny, quirky, and a little bit dark. A great combination for reluctant readers.

Where to start? I freaking loved reading this. I knew immediately I was going to love it simply based off of the triplet names - Barnacle, Melancholy, and Garlic. This book reminded me so much of Pippi Longstocking, which I loved as a child. It was full of magic and was stranger than fiction. It was so fun that it made you WANT to believe it was real. There were so many comical allusions thrown in to this book for children and families. I was reading sections of it aloud to my husband and 14 year old daughter while also sending some of the funny bits to my 20 year old daughter, who is away at college.

I hope there is going to be more stories/books published. I look forward to seeing the finished pictures and book when it comes out. I will now go listen to the Audible version because I want to read it again. Thank you for the ARC of The Weirdies.