The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher (Family Fletcher Series)

Every once in a while, an author comes along who so perfectly captures the voices of middle-grade kids that the end result is touching, hilarious, and engaging. Such is the case with the Family Fletcher. From the struggles of the eldest of four adopted boys, Sam, who struggles with his desires to step out of his comfort zone and audition for the school play, down to the shenanigans of little Froggie, the six-year-old starting kindergarten, with ten-year-old Eli (the brainy one) and Jax (the one struggling with his school project), all four of the kids are sketched with unique voices that are true to their ages. The gay male couple raising the kids, Papa and Dad, face the exact same challenges faced by any parents, and it's refreshing to see a same-sex couple portrayed where their sexual orientation is NOT the issue. I devoured this book, and I hope the author considers writing more about this family. I can see this turning into a series. An excellent, delightful read!

I got this book to see why it was banned . It’s a perfect book for 5th to 7th grade . There is nothing in it that they can’t read about . It was banned cause the story is about 2 dads and a multicultural adopted family . I say adults will enjoy reading it like I did

This is an episodic collection of domestic comedy vignettes that mostly feature the four sons in the family. We basically follow a year in the life of the Family Fletcher. Much can be made, I imagine, from the fact that this is a "modern" non-traditional family, which just means that the family unit is headed by a gay couple and includes four adopted sons. You have your standard issue traditional family comedies, (say, Birdsall's Penderwicks, or Sydney Taylor's All-of-a-Kind Family ). You have your standard issue "zany" families, ( Surviving the Applewhites ). You have zany, or at least frantic, gay couple family comedies, ( The Birdcage anyone?). But here you have a settled and stable family. The fact that it is watched over by a Dad and a Papa isn't much more remarkable than the fact that the family in "My Three Sons", (the subtly unconventional 1960's TV show), was headed by Fred MacMurray and his housekeeper "Uncle Charley". Apart from a very sensitive and perceptive treatment of the awkwardness the boys encountered when introducing their family to someone for the first time, (say at a parent-teacher conference at a new school), the non-traditional aspect of the family gets little play, although it is always there in the background. So, putting aside the modern family angle, what do we think of these various sons and the predicaments in which they find themselves? Well, the boys are 12, 10, 10, and 6. That range covers everything from pre-teen foibles to manic kindergarten insanity. The author balances funny situations, touching scenes, teaching moments and wholesome hijinks into a satisfying whole. Each son is featured in a few running storylines, and these are punctuated by some funny stand alone bits. There is no major "drama", but more a series of problems and developments that could bedevil any kid and that feel honest and authentic. The bonus is that while these plot developments are needed in order to keep the book moving in some sort of forward direction, the most satisfying parts of the book tend to be encapsulated in brief bits of dialogue, or passing comments, or table talk, that serve to capture the feel and the human goodness of a high functioning family of decent and caring people. If you sometimes get a bit tired of snarky sibling rivalry in your middle grade books, or if you yearn for something that is actually a bit old-fashioned in terms of youth fiction, this mellow gem could be just what the doctor ordered. When I started this I feared I'd be subjected to a polemic or a political argument, and instead I got a heart warming family story. What a treat. Think of it as the "All-of-a-Different-Kind" family. Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book in exchange for a candid review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.

If you like to read about school plays, kindergarten, pets, weird neighbors, and Halloween parties, this book is too cool. Frog is six, Eli is 10, Jax is 10½ and Sam is 12. It is mostly about school and family, soccer problems and more. It is lots of fun stories about the same family. I love the part when Frog goes on the school bus and when they go to the farm. This book is GREAT! (what am I talking about? This book is AWESOME!!!) Read this book to find out their family secrets. I personally think it is hilarious.

Had to read this book for a class and I loved it! It’s super cute and fun to follow the Fletcher family through their life. Very relatable and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I bought it for my 5th and 6th grade classroom because I feel as though my students will do enjoy it!

I love this book! The Fletcher family is your average family with two dads and 4 busy, and very different boys, just trying to do life like the rest of us. Great family story...reminded me of the craziness of the Hatcher family in Tales of a 4th grade nothing, or the Quimby family in Ramona.

Um, people, giving a book one star because it does not march your family values entirely misses the point of reviewing books on Amazon. I am surprised that Amazon would include these negative reviews. I loved this book, not least for the way it matter of factly portrayed an unconventional family.

Reading some of the negative reviews about this book really upsets me. People felt misled that this book was comparative to some other children's books, but it wasn't only because of the fact that the family consisted of two dads. How petty is that? It's 2016. If it really bothered you that much, change either "Papa" or "Dad" in the story to a female equivalent, because it doesn't matter, really. As it shouldn't. The story is about two successful men in love raising 4 children. Sam is the oldest, 'coolest' son that excels in soccer. Jax is 'in the middle,' trying to stay cool and keeping up with schoolwork. Eli is the brainy child that's testing his skills at a new, strict private school. Frog (or Jeremiah) is the youngest boy, with youngest-child/preschool mannerisms. Throughout the book, you get a great sense of family, traditions, and family values being played out. The 'Family Fletcher' supports each other, deal with each other and help each other in every which way. There's also cameos from characters that include Aunt Lucy, the neighbor Mr. Nelson, and the boys' friends. If you don't think this book teaches family values, maybe you're not raising your children right. Even if this book is trying to press some sort of 'agenda,' it's doesn't take away from the family aspects of the book. It's a story of a crazy family dealing with everyday hurdles, and I would think any child would benefit from reading it. I only wish the book continued on, honestly.

Great book to read to young children aged 6+. Really enjoyed it. Or for older children to read for themselves.