The Lotterys Plus One

The Lotterys are a very happy family, living a unique lifestyle. Having won the lottery, their parents do not have to work, but can devote themselves to family - and community - life. And when your family is composed of four parents, seven children and five pets, that's a really good thing! Nine-year-old Sumac is looking forward to having a One-to-One Lottafun with PopCorn when she finds out her grandfather - one she doesn't know about - is going to have to come and live with them as he is having trouble living alone. Grumpy and intolerant, it soon becomes clear that he is not going to fit easily into their hectic, unorthodox lives. At its heart, this is a book about family and what family really means. The Lotterys are not a conventional family 'unit' - the parents are two same-sex couples and the children are either theirs by birth or adoption - but they embody what family truly means. The house they live in - Camelottery - is full of rooms with wonderful names that suit their purpose - the Loud Lounge, the Mess, the Derriere - and full of life and love. Sumac is the observant, sensitive organised one, keeper of the family stories. She 'always carries three (books), because what if you finish one and the next one sucks?'. Having to give up her ground floor bedroom to her new relative, she watches as things around her change and she sees the life she loves threatened by his presence. 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. 320 pages / Ages 11+ / Reviewed by Sue Wilsher, teacher.

Suggested Reading Age 11+