The Willoughbys

The Willoughbys

By Lois Lowry

8 ratings 12 reviews 15 followers
Interest LevelReading LevelReading A-ZATOSWord Count
Grades 4 - 8Grades 3 - 6U5.223990
Abandoned by their ill-humored parents to the care of an odious nanny, Tim, the twins, Barnaby A and Barnaby B, and their sister, Jane, attempt to fulfill their roles as good oldfashioned children. Following the models set in lauded tales from A Christmas Carol to Mary Poppins, the four Willoughbys hope to attain their proscribed happy ending too, or at least a satisfyingly maudlin one. However, it is an unquestionably ruthless act that sets in motion the transformations that lead to their salvation and to happy endings for not only the four children, but their nanny, an abandoned baby, a candy magnate, and his long-lost son too. Replete with a tongue-in-cheek glossary and bibliography, this hilarious and decidedly old-fashioned parody pays playful homage to classic works of children’s literature.
Publisher: Yearling Books
Published on 3/23/2010
Binding: Paperback

Book Reviews (14)

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zarkinpants zarkinpants

It's no secret that the Willoughby parents never wanted children. They never care about them, and sometimes forget their names. One day after reading a book about how Hansel and Gretel's mother and father abandoned them in the forest, the Willoughby parents decide to do the same. While the parents plan on doing away with the children, the children decide to do away with the parents. The 4 children, 3 boys, and 1 girl form a plan, sending the parents on one of the most dangerous trips ever, going across rivers filled with dangerous fish and over snowy mountains, hoping that their parents will die along the way. When the house is sold, (that was their plan, to sell the house while on vacation), the Willoughbys and their kindhearted nanny go to a wealthy man, who has lost his wife and child. Together, and along with a baby who appeared on his steps, they make the man happy again.
lucky_jean lucky_jean

The willoughbys is a book that is not happening a lot in real life. The willoughbys make a travel plan to make their parents go away. When the parents went they left them with a nanny and also their parents try to sold the house.Athrilling adventure starts.~~
Emily Hernandez Emily Hernandez

I think it's cool
james hardan james hardan

yeah reallly instering
maranita maranita

I wonder if it is as good as it sounds?
ninacreekside ninacreekside

I really recommend this book. A lighthearted story of orphans and their nanny. Tim, Barnaby A, Barnaby B, and Jane find out what it is like to be orphans. But the only difference is that they are happy that they are orphans. None of them liked their parents. Well, none of them could. Tim, the oldest Willoughby controls all of them. Although the system is absolutely unfair no one can talk back to Tim because he is the boss. No one would ever dare to talk back to Tim. That is, until nanny comes along, then Tim learns his lesson. During which the Willoughby's have a baby abandoned on their front porch, change the sad creator of Lickety Twist,(a popular candy) into a happy, joyful, fun person. Highly Recommended! :)
ninacreekside ninacreekside

great read. lots of fun for readers.
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