The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry

Rating: Not for me

Reading Level: Middle School

I have really mixed feelings about this one; I almost put it down and didn’t finish it because it was so dark and absurd. Definitely not for young ones. In the end there were some redeeming features about it, and some families may love it if it tickles their sense of humor. I can’t wholeheartedly recommend it, but it might be ok for some families. Here’s what you need to know:

• Lack of love or care for others. The story is VERY dark at first. For example, the parents want to get rid of the kids & the kids want to get rid of the parents! The oldest child is very much a bully to the siblings, and the kids and parents treat a baby like a useless thing. They mother tells the kids to to get rid of it (the baby!), like literally to get rid of it.

• The family is quite superficial. This is part of their transformation. For example, Jane likes the baby and tells the mother she likes its curls. The mother grabs scissors and cuts the curls off. The Jane admits she doesn’t like the baby as much any more.

• Sexual content alert: There are a few weird innuendos. For example, the there is a moment when the admiral is attracted to the nanny’s bottom and wants to smack it, if I remember correctly. That might bother some families, but there you go and you can decide for yourself.

As you keep reading, the book gets silly. The kids and nanny find “hiding places” when the realtor comes. They end up scaring potential buyers away.

The Nanny is actually very sweet & good for the children in a healthy sort of way. She teaches them to skip. They grow together and the story has a rather sweet ending with a happy family coming together.

Bottom line: The story is dark at first, has odd humor that may suit some but not others, and has some slight sexual innuendos. It isn’t a winner in my shelf, but it might be great for some families; it has a really dry sense of humor and a somewhat redemptive, happy ending (in an odd sort of way, if you consider two horrible parents happily freezing to death in the mountains to be part of a happy ending). I wouldn’t suggest it for my kids until they are older and grounded, and even then only if the dry humor is a good fit.

Discussion questions:

• Have you ever had a predicament like a baby on your doorstep? What did you do? What would you have done differently if you had another go?
• Jane feels guilt about what they did with the baby. She shows it by playing with her doll. How have you felt and shown guilt? When do you think guilt is a good thing? When is it a bad thing? How do we know?
• The older boy is quite a bully to his siblings. What are some of the ways he bullies them? What are ways bullying shows up in your life? How do you feel about it? Do you feel compelled to fight it? If so, what might happen?
• The nanny seems odd at first, but shows kindness in authentic ways. How does she do it? Has there been anyone in your life who you didn’t like at first but actually was quite loving when you got to know them? How can you recognize someone like the nanny vs. the parents?
• The admiral misses his son and is very sad. He lets his house go to squalor and ignores his mail. What do you do when you’re sad? Have you ever missed out (like he did for many years) because you didn’t realize the situation had changed? What are healthy ways to respond to sadness?