Family Ties: The Theory, Practice, and Destructive Properties of Relatives

Liar, Liar #5

by Gary Paulsen

Family fun takes center stage in three-time Newbery Honor winner Gary Paulsen’s hilarious novel for middle-school boys. Kevin Spencer is the glue that holds his family together. When his wacky relatives decide to have a double wedding in the backyard, Kevin takes charge. Planning two weddings is a great way to impress his girlfriend, Tina Zabinski, the Most Beautiful and Best-Smelling Girl in the World. 
   But as more and more relatives come to stay, things spiral out of control. Tying the knot has Kevin tied up in knots in this laugh-out-loud story.
   “When it comes to telling funny stories about boys, no one surpasses Paulsen.”— Booklist
   “[Paulsen is] one of the best-loved writers alive.”— The New York Times

Praise for Family Ties
“Kevin seems to truly have his heart in the right place as he tries to bring order to the disparate parts [of his family] and restore some missing familial affection.”— Kirkus Reviews
 
“The Spencers may not be a conventionally perfect family, but by the end of the novel it is clear that, despite their oddball antics, they are a loving one. Fans of the series and new readers will enjoy this offering.”— School Library Journal

“[A] goofy, rollicking ride.”— The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

Genres: Family, Humor, Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Friendship, Childrens, Audiobook

144 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Gary James Paulsen was an American writer of children's and young adult fiction, best known for coming-of-age stories about the wilderness. He was the author of more than 200 books and wrote more than 200 magazine articles and short stories, and several plays, all primarily for teenagers. He won the Margaret Edwards Award from the American Library Association in 1997 for his lifetime contribution in writing for teens.

Reviews

[Josiah · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Liar, Liar series isn't as famous as Gary Paulsen's Brian books, but from the beginning it had a loyal following of young readers who appreciate the author's unique sense of humor. Fourteen-year-old Kevin Lucas Spencer has learned a few things over the four previous books: he avoids lying to friends and family, and prioritizes people over questionable moneymaking opportunities. He's even sort of dating Tina Zabinski now, the girl he feels positive he'll someday marry, but at the moment Kevin has a new fixation that pushes everything into the background: his family. Nothing is more important than showing your family how much you care, so Kevin takes the initiative to mend the hard feelings between his father and Uncle Will by sending Will a message encouraging him to swing by for a visit. Kevin has no idea the complications that are about to ensue.

Uncle Will shows up with Brandee, a cheerful, levelheaded woman he announces as his fiancé. With Brandee is her young son Larry, nicknamed "Sparky" due to his disturbing fascination with starting fires. Wanting to be encouraging, Kevin suggests Will and Brandee get married here at the house a few days from now; Kevin, his older siblings Daniel and Sarah, and their parents will help organize the event. Kevin's parents aren't thrilled to have houseguests for several days, but at least his dad is on decent terms with Will again. As Kevin thinks up all the tasks necessary to host a wedding and tries to get them done, the house fills up with guests: Kevin's neat-freak grandmother, Lucille; his grandfather (Papa) and Papa's fiancé Lola, a former Las Vegas showgirl; and Auntie Buzz's semi-serious boyfriend, Jack. As more relatives arrive for the wedding, lodging at the house becomes scarce, but Kevin is pleased by the results of his efforts to prioritize family happiness.

There are problems, though. Does Kevin have the resources to provide food for the wedding? How about flowers? Music? Can he keep Sparky occupied so he doesn't start any fires in the house? Kevin receives help in that department from Markie, the four-year-old neighbor boy. Markie and Sparky form a fast natural friendship, and Kevin breathes easier not having to worry about the wedding literally going down in flames. His workload increases, however, when Auntie Buzz and Jack decide to make it a double wedding. The ceremony is only a few days away and Kevin has a lot left to do, but if his commitment to family convinces Tina he'll make a good husband one day, it's all worth it. At school, Kevin has a project due for the Fine Arts Fair, which he has postponed working on until after the wedding. He's also in the midst of a social studies assignment that sees him "married" to his frenemy Katie Knowles for a week, and their "baby" has a habit of keeping Kevin awake at night. Is all this responsibility too much for one scatterbrained teen? Will the entire complex operation blow up in Kevin's face as usual, or will good intentions be rewarded? It's hard to predict how things are going to turn out until the last wedding guest heads home.

Family Ties: The Theory, Practice, and Destructive Properties of Relatives has some of the same problems as the rest of the series: most of the characters are farcical, the kids are way too articulate for their age, and the comedy scenes can be over-the-top. However, these negatives are toned down in Family Ties, so I might rate it the full two stars. Crush is the best of the five books, followed by Liar, Liar and then Family Ties. I'd rank Flat Broke fourth, with Vote being the least effective book of the series. Family Ties isn't as quotable as Flat Broke or emotional as Liar, Liar, but I liked spending a couple of days back in Kevin's world; he's a strange kid, but I wish the best for him as he moves forward in life. Liar, Liar isn't a great series, but I'm glad I persevered to the end.

[Kylee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hey guys! If u like really funny books, I recommend this series. They are short easy books for you to read and enjoy if your coming up on the AR deadline

[Naomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very enjoyable series. It is so very optimistic! It's fun and funny, with a touch of romance. It's about a 14-year-old boy with high hopes and big dreams and practically no fear. But mostly, I love his optimism and the way he constantly helps people, even though maybe sometimes his original ideas might seem sort of selfish or one-sided. This kiddo is a hard worker!

I will finally one of these days get my hands on a copy of the FIRST book in this series and read it. That one will tie it all together in a backward kind of way since I've read the other four already. I never had a flour sack baby, but I gotta say, their baby name totally grew on me as the story progressed.

[Kim · Rating 1 out of 5]

not my kind of book. I prefer the survival or the autobiographical books Paulsen has written.

[Jonah · Rating 3 out of 5]

i had to read this for school so the book was TRASSSSHHHHHHHh... ELA Breh

[Kailynn Ayers · Rating 3 out of 5]

acute and simple story nothing to special.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I fried us some bacon. Teddy perked up because greasy, salty, crispy pork strips make everything better.” I couldn’t agree more!

Gary Paulsen’s writing is a delight to read. His target audience is typically middle school boys, but anyone who enjoys a good chuckle will enjoy this book.

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

In previous volumes, Kevin Spencer has dealt with the truth, money, love, and politics. In Family Ties, the fifth book of the series, Kevin takes on another hot topic: family. While a school project temporarily marries him off to his over-achieving classmate, Katie, Kevin decides to prove to his girlfriend Tina what a great family man he is. To this end, Kevin begins planning a double wedding for his Aunt Buzz and Uncle Will, each of whom has decided to get married to a relatively new partner on very short notice. As more and more relatives fill the Spencer house, Kevin finds himself without a place to sleep, and with more tasks on his to-do list than he can handle. Will he pull off the wedding, or will Tina discover he's not husband material after all?

Whereas the first few volumes of this series are realistic and plausible, while also being funny, this latest addition is very much like a Disney Channel sit-com, where everything is exaggerated for the sake of humor. The premise of the book - that Kevin must prove to his girlfriend that he is husband material - is too much of a gimmick. It seems very unlikely that middle school boys think about long-term commitments like this, or that a middle school boy would honestly believe that his girlfriend expected him to prove himself as marriage material. Equally unbelievable is the behavior of Kevin's parents, who basically check out for the duration of the book and let Kevin take over their house with uninvited guests and big wedding plans. Perhaps this over-the-top approach to comedy will appeal to reluctant reader boys in the target age group, but it seems out of sync with the earlier books.

While this book is to be praised for its strong voice and comedic timing, it is not the best of the series. The characters are wonderful, but to keep the stories fresh, stronger plots are needed.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fourteen-year-old Kevin Spencer somehow always manages to land on his feet. In this continuation of the story told in Liar, Liar; Flat Broke; Crush; and Vote, the talented storyteller returns to familiar territory. Kevin is certain that a romantic relationship with Tina Zabinski is just around the corner. Because that's just what Kevin does and because he wants to impress Tina with how family-minded he is, Kevin reunites his father and his uncle. But he does so without telling his father. And Uncle Will arrives with quite a lot of personal baggage in the form of a wife, a stepson, and a huge dog. One thing leads to another, and before Kevin knows it, the house is filled with family members, he's planning a double wedding, and he and his sometimes friend-sometimes enemy Katie have been paired up for a school project and are raising a baby fashioned from popcorn kernels. Even though he is extremely sleep-deprived, Kevin's got a handle on things. Middle grade readers, especially boys, will be thoroughly entertained by this humorous story, its protagonists, and the mess that Kevin has created. Part of the story's appeal lies in Kevin's obliviousness to how hard some tasks such as planning a wedding actually are. I enjoyed the chapter titles too since they are quick observations about the perils of families and their unexpected nature.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kevin Spencer is the “fixer” in his eccentric family. He has a great idea to reconcile his father and his father’s brother, Uncle Will. But Uncle Will makes it difficult when he brings his new bride, her young son and dog with no bladder control to the reconciliation. He eagerly becomes a double-wedding planner for Uncle Will and Brandee and perpetual houseguest Aunt Buzz and her boyfriend. The small family wedding scenario quickly spirals out of control with the arrivals of Grandma Lucille, who insists on being called by her first name, grandfather Papa and his inamorata Lola, who was once a chorus girl, and other peculiar relatives. Of course, chaos ensues on the home front. All the while, Kevin juggles school assignments and daydreams about his perfect girlfriend, Tina, and plans their perfect first date. All ends well with the weddings going off not quite as planned and Kevin making plans with Tina. Ultimately, Kevin and his family realize that they share a special bond and affection in spite of all the bedlam and oddballs. Kevin’s deadpan humor drives the narrative and the characters are affable and realistic. Fans of Paulsen's other books about Kevin will appreciate this one. It is a good choice for reluctant readers and a worthwhile addition to your Paulsen section.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Even in a crisis, I bring the funny."

Kevin is the guy that holds his family together. He'll do anything if he thinks it will score points with Tina. So, he writes a letter to estranged Uncle Will, asking him to reconcile with Kevin's father. Who knew he would show up at the door with a new wife? And a step son they call "Sparky" because he's obsessed with fires. And a polar bear ... well actually a huge dog named Athena. But hey, that's okay. Nothing wrong with a little family togetherness. Before the family can react, Kevin is planning for Will and Brandy to have a marriage ceremony with the family. So then he invites his Grandma Lucille, a most unpleasant house guest to join them as well. Can you say chaos? And don't forget Aunt Buzz, teddy the cat, Markie, the next-door pre-schooler ... and the list goes on and one.

Meanwhile at school, he is working on a project with Katie which includes a onesie filled with popcorn that's supposed to be a baby. He's trying to keep his best friend from getting dumped by his girlfriend. And ... wait ... what is Tina doing with that other guy? The most handsome guy in middle school. Hmm, something isn't quite right here.

Laugh out loud fun with great voice.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

In an effort to impress his new girlfriend with his commitment to his family, Kevin invites his rogue Uncle Will over to try to mend feelings with Kevin’s dad. Instead, he shows up with a new wife, a huge dog (with incontinence problems) and a 4 year old stepson with an active interest in setting fires. When Kevin suggests they use this opportunity to hold a family wedding (or two), and grandma Lucille shows up as well, this family event is officially out of control. Can Kevin put together a wedding, manage a household of people and complete his social studies team project without passing out from lack of sleep in just one week?

This companion to Liar Liar, Flat Broke and others can be read at any point in the series. It’s a slapstick comedy of errors from beginning to end. Paulsen knows just how to catch the kids and keep them hooked. A bit too outlandish for my taste, this is a sure-fire hit for the middle school kids. You should have the whole series.

[Kristin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This series has finally begun to reasonably drag. Kevin, in a strange reversal, seemed to have all the answers in this story. He had to rush a little to make everything turn out alright, but the crux of the Liar, Liar books is that Kevin still has a lot to learn about growing up before he can act like a grown-up. I tagged this under the humor heading, but it wasn't that funny. The jokes were few and far between, and the same concepts from as far back as the first volume in this set turned up like a bad penny. Kevin is still trying desperately to impress Tina, who has been his girlfriend for at least the last three books. Give it a rest kid. He also seems convinced he can do it all, even though that is not what he's learned throughout the series. Ah well. Felt like this was the concluding story, and I think it's about time it was.

[Ruth Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kevin really outdoes himself this time!

He is still trying to impress his new girlfriend, Tina Zabinski, and plan their third date.
He is trying to bring his family together by planning a DOUBLE family wedding! And, he will bake the wedding cake - yikes! That's ambitious!!!
He and friend Katie are paired up on a family-social studies project, and Katie is the queen of extra-credit.
And, somehow, in the process of trying to impress Tina, Kevin has volunteered to enter an Art Fair with no art skills. That about sums it up. Read the book to see if the amazing Kevin Spencer can pull this off!

[Arinze Okeke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Family Ties is another hit from Gary Paulsen, this time on the comedic side. Family Ties is a book about a boy named Kevin who loves a challenge and will do anything to impress his crush at school. This book depicts a very crazy family arrangement that Kevin set up just to impress his crush. The arrangement might have been fine with any other family, but Kevin appears to have the biggest and most dysfunctional family ever which makes the book even more hilarious. However, Kevin did not give up and made everything work in the end. I loved this book because it was hilarious and had a surprising twist at every turn.

[Nickie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked that this centered on trying to bring the family together. I doubt any reasonable parent would let their middle schooler plan a wedding in their house. The obsession with Tina has moved in to the creepy stages. Katie and the neighbor kiddo are my favorites. They help Kevin from loosing control on his constantly growing chaos. It is unreasonable for him to still believe that he can take on so many things by himself and that they will turn out. I really wish he would get a lesson in Quality vs Quantity.

[Mark Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Family Ties by Gary Paulsen is the fifth book of the series. I must say that it is my favorite of the series. The main character of the book is named Kevin Spencer. He is mainly at school and at his house during the story. The conflict is when his entire family comes to have two weddings at once at Kevin's house. When they ask him to plan the whole thing, he feels lots of anxiety and pressure. I would recommend this book to anyone in middle school because I'm in middle school and I can relate really well.

[Read Ribbet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kevin Spencer is back and this time sociology and the family unit form the framework for this fifth book in the Paulsen series. Another slim volume making it accessible and acceptable for many intermediate readers. Subtitled "The Theory, Practice and Destructive Properties of Relatives" a family wedding provides Kevin a perfect opportunity to show girlfriend Tina his potential as a future family provider.

Crush is still my favorite in the series but this was a great runner up.

[Quinby6696 Frank · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing! I've always enjoyed Paulsen's children's books - especially his autobiographical ones which are truly laugh-out-loud funny. Was hoping for some of the same with this one. Kevin, the main character, is so in love with himself it's sickening. He's not funny at all and Paulsen's attempts at humor in this book are just too forced.

[McKenzie Richardson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very cute book. Funny narration and goofy characters. I really liked that, while obsessive, Kevin's crush on Tina is based as mush in her personality as it is her appearance, which is a refreshing new trend in books for young readers. Overall, a very good read.

[Rosa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the 5th book in a series that I started last year. It is about a boy named Kevin who kinda reminds me of myself-so that is most Likely why I like it. This has to be my favorite book in the series so far. I am looking forward to the next book.

[emyrose8 · Rating 2 out of 5]

I couldn't get into this book. There's just something about Kevin that I don't like. I haven't read the others in the series... when I picked it up from the library I didn't even know it was a series.

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. It captures what a crazy thing real family life is but also how valuable the the craziness can be. It makes me laugh super hard. It’s brilliant.

Family means people
Who have got your back and who
Are kindred spirits.

[Justin Saez · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book is good.I gave it three stars because it was a good book,but it gets a little repetitive in the middle of the book.But otherwise it is a good book.I think people who read the other books in the series will like it.Also if you are 12-14 you might also like it.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC from Edelweiss

Very optimistic 14 yr old boy

[Karen Arendt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kevin's supreme confidence creates such a fun story to read. I have enjoyed all the Kevin Spencer books by Gary Paulsen, and this book is just as great!

[Carol Moore Kollar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kevin is trying to navigate a girlfriend, grandparents' wedding and school projects. Humorous at times and a quick read.

[Rachel Prince · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick, easy, mildly humorous read.

[Valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is book 5 in the series. It was a whirlwind story. I enjoyed it, but wasn't my favorite.

[Evita · Rating 2 out of 5]

there was no action and it was very predicatble it should have been a comic