The Problim Children by Natalie Lloyd

How I Heard About It:  This book came to me via #bookexpedition.  That is my Twitter group that came together to share books, discuss books, and advocate for books for both our students and other educators.  

What It Is About:  This is the first of a new series from the wonderful author Natalie Lloyd.  What happens when you take seven siblings, parents away on an adventure, a mysterious grandfather, and an annoying neighbor?  Well, you get a fun, quirky, and adventurous story.  The seven siblings, each born a different day of the week, each have their own special talent and/or quality.  They enjoy life to the fullest.  When their own home goes "kaboom", they relocate to a new house and a new town.  They settle in their grandfather's mansion, which has a life of its own.  The Problim children are excited to start a new life here, but are taken aback when they realize the neighbors aren't so thrilled to have them there.  The more the children try to make this their new home, the more the neighbors, especially one family in particular, try to separate the seven of them and send them all to different homes.  

What I Thought Of It:  I'm disappointed with myself that I let this book sit in my TBR pile for so long.  It was a fun and different kind of read.  There were so many awesome things sprinkled into this story.  It had a bizarre, fun, and rambunctious cast of characters.  There was plenty of action, twists, and turns.  I enjoyed how the seven children stood their ground, celebrated who they were.  The siblings not only fought for who they were, but also fought to defend their family.  Of course when you throw in an evil antagonist, you have an even better reading experience.  I know young readers will really enjoy this story and the ones to follow it.  

Who Should Read It:   Natalie Lloyd sure knows how to write a story for young readers.  There is so much fun, action, humor, and adventure on each and every page.  I could see fourth, fifth, and sixth graders being the perfect audience for this title.  The book could also be shared with middle-school readers.  If you know a reader that enjoys the bizarre, the silly, and the outrageous, then this is the book for them.  The novel will be released on January 30, 2018.  

Rating:  4 STARS out of 5 Stars