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The Leftover Kid
The only child left at home, thirteen-year-old Wendy enjoys a peaceful existence until her married brother, his wife, and their baby, followed by a computer and, then, her grandparents, all move in.
Paperback
First published January 1, 1986
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 10, 2016
This book was so good! Sometimes really funny, sometimes really sad.
Okay, so it's about this girl called Wendy who is pretty happy that her older brothers and sister are away at college, because now she has the house to herself and can do whatever she wants and can hog all her parents' constantly divided attention.
But then all of a sudden, her older brother, Steve, with his bossy wife, Melissa, and their forever-crying baby boy, Jory, come over to stay. Wendy's not even allowed to touch Jory without Melissa's permission.
Then Wendy's grandmother supposedly comes to the rescue, but all her attention is on Jory.
Now, Wendy has no privacy and has a whole bunch of people telling her what to and what not to do. She wishes instead that her parents got her one of those ASPCA dogs that need adopting.
Wendy's only escape is the life-cycle project she's doing at school. Her partner's Gary, a funny old friend of hers, but as they keep on working together, they get to know each other better, especially when they look for Gary's old and lonely grandmother. They later become boyfriend and girlfriend.
And Wendy and her family come up with several agreements to work with the privacy and space issues, making everyone happy--as well as Wendy having her own dog, which she names Spot. :)
Okay, so it's about this girl called Wendy who is pretty happy that her older brothers and sister are away at college, because now she has the house to herself and can do whatever she wants and can hog all her parents' constantly divided attention.
But then all of a sudden, her older brother, Steve, with his bossy wife, Melissa, and their forever-crying baby boy, Jory, come over to stay. Wendy's not even allowed to touch Jory without Melissa's permission.
Then Wendy's grandmother supposedly comes to the rescue, but all her attention is on Jory.
Now, Wendy has no privacy and has a whole bunch of people telling her what to and what not to do. She wishes instead that her parents got her one of those ASPCA dogs that need adopting.
Wendy's only escape is the life-cycle project she's doing at school. Her partner's Gary, a funny old friend of hers, but as they keep on working together, they get to know each other better, especially when they look for Gary's old and lonely grandmother. They later become boyfriend and girlfriend.
And Wendy and her family come up with several agreements to work with the privacy and space issues, making everyone happy--as well as Wendy having her own dog, which she names Spot. :)
August 27, 2018
I first read this book years ago, but still enjoy coming back to it occasionally. A fast paced, fun read. So rare to find a book that touches on the hardships for teens AND parents during the life cycle.
November 19, 2014
Great book. I enjoyed reading about how Wendy adjusted from being an only child, and having independence after school, to having her extended family move in with her, and essentially take over. Meanwhile, her friend Gary has to adjust to worrisome changes in his grandmother. Wendy and Gary have a friendship that is admirable. The way they handle their "baby twins" assignment is adorable :) and shows Gary's sense of humor. This book teaches us that no matter what our problems are, if we work together, we can get through them. Maybe not right away, but eventually.
October 13, 2012
Funny, sad, fast-paced, and entertaining - A teenage girl who finally has the house to herself after school finds herself bombarded with her brother, his wife, their baby, her grandparents…and more!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews