The Lotterys Plus One: Emma Donoghue - Hardcover

Donoghue, Emma

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 150980319X ISBN 13: 9781509803194

Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books, 2017

Synopsis

Meet the Lotterys: a unique and diverse family featuring four parents, seven kids and five pets - all living happily together in their big old house, Camelottery. Nine-year-old Sumac is the organizer of the family and is looking forward to a long summer of fun.

But when their grumpy and intolerant grandad comes to stay, everything is turned upside down. How will Sumac and her family manage with another person to add to their hectic lives?

The Lotterys Plus One, internationally bestselling author Emma Donoghue's first novel for children, features black-and-white illustrations throughout, and is funny, charming and full of heart.

About this title

Review

The Lotterys are a very recognisable family - very quickly the reader feels that they have known each member for years. That's part of the enchantment of Donoghue's writing - and the spell she weaves with this narrative is inescapable. She has written a family of eccentrics and individuals, but readers from all backgrounds will find themselves identifying with and understanding these wonderfully written characters.
Caroline Hadilaksono's silhouettes and illustrations resonate with the dynamic chaos of the Lottery family and perfectly complement the story Donoghue is telling, creating a warmth and a sense of home that is as compelling as it is beautiful.
The story itself could not be more relevant to the turbulent times the world finds itself in - the true meaning of belonging, home, tolerance and acceptance. Offbeat, funny, wise and deliciously different, Emma Donoghue's first book for children is an essential read.

(Becky Long INIS)

Emma Donoghue... creates a warm-hearted, eccentric family community that encompasses all ages - and all backgrounds... the writing is assured and her characters emerge full of life and in glorious technicolour. For confident readers who want a thoroughly enjoyable read that is both thoughtful and fun this must be recommended. (Ferelith Hordon Books for Keeps)

However, this is a story with understanding and acceptance at its heart and she comes to realise that he does belong with them after all - 'He's our plus one'. There are many characters in this story - each one a complete individual. From the parents to the children with Aspen's eating issues and inability to keep still, Brian/ Briar's gender fluidity and Oak's developmental delay - each is a part of this loving and chaotic family and each has their own clear identity. There is also a rich tapestry of cultural diversity at play throughout the story which threads its way through as part of family life, customs, food and festivals. Showing that family is what you make it, this is a wonderful story about relationships and family. (Sue Wilsher Reading Zone)

Caroline Hadilaksono provides the wonderful black-and-white illustrations for this warm, contemporary and unique story which celebrates family life – however complex, curious and diverse that may be – and reminds us that love and affection have no rules or boundaries. (Pam Norfolk Lancashire Evening Post)

The black and white illustrations by Caroline Hadilaksono are excellent and her illustrated family tree at the opening of the book is a useful reference when there are so many characters to keep track of. A smart, thoughtful reader of 10-plus will enjoy the gentle humour in this tribute to the modern family. (Sarah Webb Irish Independent)

This engaging tale is moving without veering into sentimentality. For all the Lotterys' apparent eccentricity, the novel delves into universal themes of family relationships that will resonate with readers from all backgrounds. (Kirkus, starred review)

The story itself could not be more relevant to the turbulent times the world finds itself in - the true meaning of belonging, home, tolerance and acceptance. Offbeat, funny, wise and deliciously different, Emma Donoghue's first book for children is an essential read. (INIS reading guide)

a warm-hearted, curious and hugely appealing slice of unconventional family life, told with considerable wit and charm (Teach Primary)

Funny, charming and full of heart (Irish Mail on Sunday)

There is a rich tapestry of cultural diversity at play throughout the story which threads its way through as part of family life, customs, food and festivals. Showing that family is what you make it, this is a wonderful story about relationships and family. (Reading Zone)

Book Description

The one thing in life that never changes . . . is that sooner or later things change.

A first novel for children, full of warmth and heart, from Emma Donoghue, internationally award-winning and bestselling author of Room

About this edition

• Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books
• Publication date: 2017
• ISBN 10: 150980319X
• ISBN 13: 9781509803194
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 320
• Illustrator: Hadilaksono Caroline