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The Weirdies
From the bestselling author of the Sisters Grimm comes a hilarious tale of the Weirdie triplets—three VERY weird siblings—and their journey to find true family, perfect for fans of the Swifts and a Series of Unfortunate Events.
Ten-year-old triplets Barnacle, Melancholy, and Garlic Weirdie grew up in a town plagued by relentless meteor showers. Their home, Deadeye Manor, is an enormous, bleak mansion filled with hundreds of eccentric houseguests and one set of emotionally distant (some would say sociopathic) parents. Until the entire group of grown-ups goes on vacation, forgetting to bring the children.
The three siblings are sent to Our Lady of the Perpetual Side-Eye orphanage, where they meet Miss Emily, a sweet and loving caseworker who attempts to smooth their rough edges. The triplets, however, are truly weird—causing chaos and mayhem in their adoptive home on picture-perfect Sunshine Circle.
Will the Weirdies and Miss Emily become the family they all desperately need, or will it end in disaster for everyone?
Ten-year-old triplets Barnacle, Melancholy, and Garlic Weirdie grew up in a town plagued by relentless meteor showers. Their home, Deadeye Manor, is an enormous, bleak mansion filled with hundreds of eccentric houseguests and one set of emotionally distant (some would say sociopathic) parents. Until the entire group of grown-ups goes on vacation, forgetting to bring the children.
The three siblings are sent to Our Lady of the Perpetual Side-Eye orphanage, where they meet Miss Emily, a sweet and loving caseworker who attempts to smooth their rough edges. The triplets, however, are truly weird—causing chaos and mayhem in their adoptive home on picture-perfect Sunshine Circle.
Will the Weirdies and Miss Emily become the family they all desperately need, or will it end in disaster for everyone?
288 pages, Hardcover
Published August 26, 2025
15 people are currently reading
3109 people want to read
About the author
Michael Buckley
87 books1,933 followersNew York Times bestselling author Michael Buckley was born in Akron, Ohio. He tried his hand as a stand-up comic and lead singer for a punk rock back before attending Ohio University. After graduating with honors he moved to New York City to be an intern on the Late Show with David Letterman which led to stints developing programming for Discovery Networks, MTV, MTV Animation and Klasky Csupo (producers of Nickelodeon’s Rugrats). Today he lives in Brooklyn, New York with his wife, Alison, and their son Finn.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
June 8, 2025
Tim Burton'ın tuhaf karakterleri komedi filminde buluşmuş gibi.
Deli işi ama çoook eğlenceli.
Deli işi ama çoook eğlenceli.
July 6, 2025
Reminiscent of Lemony Snicket's "A Series of Unfortunate Events", this story delivered a unique story that felt both nostalgic and fresh!
As a big fan of Michael's previous work, I loved getting to dive back into his fun storytelling style. I can see kids enjoying this story and the absurd and hilarious antics of the Weirdies. The critiques thrown in about class differences (rich vs poor) hit the nail on the head and there were so many real-world messages between the pages written in a way perfect for kids to understand and ruminate on as they grow older. Another unique story from Michael and I look forward to seeing how he expands his literary universe!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
As a big fan of Michael's previous work, I loved getting to dive back into his fun storytelling style. I can see kids enjoying this story and the absurd and hilarious antics of the Weirdies. The critiques thrown in about class differences (rich vs poor) hit the nail on the head and there were so many real-world messages between the pages written in a way perfect for kids to understand and ruminate on as they grow older. Another unique story from Michael and I look forward to seeing how he expands his literary universe!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
April 16, 2025
This was such an unexpected surprise! When I see comps to some of my favorites like A Series of Unfortunate Events & Roald Dahl my interest is piqued.
In The Weirdies you meet the triplets Barnacle, Garlic and Melancholy who have woken up to an empty Deadeye Manor. Their parents/all the other quirky residents as well as all items within the estate have disappeared… they have really left on a vacation without the children which turns into a sunken ship and nothing or no one left behind… or is there? The children are whisked away to an orphanage and then under the care of one of the workers adopted and brought to Sunshine Circle where The Weirdie’s don’t fit into societal norms.
This was just as zany and curious as I was expecting and I think kids would love these rag tag siblings and all the shenanigans they get up to. This one doesn’t release til late summer but I did notice they have an audio available which is narrated by Kate Winslet and I could only imagine how wonderful that is.
Thank you Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Lyon.brit.A...
In The Weirdies you meet the triplets Barnacle, Garlic and Melancholy who have woken up to an empty Deadeye Manor. Their parents/all the other quirky residents as well as all items within the estate have disappeared… they have really left on a vacation without the children which turns into a sunken ship and nothing or no one left behind… or is there? The children are whisked away to an orphanage and then under the care of one of the workers adopted and brought to Sunshine Circle where The Weirdie’s don’t fit into societal norms.
This was just as zany and curious as I was expecting and I think kids would love these rag tag siblings and all the shenanigans they get up to. This one doesn’t release til late summer but I did notice they have an audio available which is narrated by Kate Winslet and I could only imagine how wonderful that is.
Thank you Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Lyon.brit.A...
November 30, 2025
What worked:
Obviously, the triplets are odd characters, and their behavior doesn’t fit normal social expectations. Readers should understand that living among a diverse range of criminals and shady personalities can warp the characters' views of the world. Garlic is the youngest and has a love for explosives and fires. The others often defer to her wisdom, but that may be due to her threateningly holding a grenade in her hand. Melancholy believes she can talk to spirits, and she enjoys collecting body parts. Barnacle thinks he can determine others’ futures by examining their skulls. The kids view the world as a violent, selfish place, and being ignored by their parents contributes to that.
Miss Emily’s personality is a strong contrast to the triplets, as she’s loving, caring, and kind. These emotions are unknown to the children, and they think Ms. Emily is weird. She recognizes that the orphans’ violent behaviors will keep them from being adopted, so she adopts them herself. This relationship is the guiding force of the plot, although it’s a rocky road. The kids recognize that Ms. Emily cares for them, so they make an effort to try fitting in. Garlic tries to help a neighbor with his squirrel problem, but he doesn’t appreciate the huge hole she creates in his backyard. Barnacle tells the future of two neighbors walking down the street, but the women don’t respond as readers might expect.
The narrator speaks directly to readers and adds additional humor, as if that were necessary. The opening page warns readers that “characters will suffer tragedies... die in unspeakable ways… Only a truly horrible person would be amused by their misfortune.” The narrator shares reminders of past events and informs readers about the missing Weirdie parents’ activities. The narrator occasionally strays from the topic and shares personal anecdotes, including an apology to her father. It’s all done to enhance the story in order to make it more amusing.
What didn’t work as well:
The main issue is the violence. Parents probably won’t appreciate it, but middle-school readers often like things that aren’t socially acceptable. The book’s resolution will be unexpected, but a sequel will be coming.
The final verdict:
The children may remind readers of the Addams Family kids, Wendy and Pugsley. Their moral standards are abnormal, and the humor may not appeal to everyone. However, those readers with a tolerance for the absurd will enjoy it, and a story of love and family lies at the heart of the tale. Check it out for yourself.
Obviously, the triplets are odd characters, and their behavior doesn’t fit normal social expectations. Readers should understand that living among a diverse range of criminals and shady personalities can warp the characters' views of the world. Garlic is the youngest and has a love for explosives and fires. The others often defer to her wisdom, but that may be due to her threateningly holding a grenade in her hand. Melancholy believes she can talk to spirits, and she enjoys collecting body parts. Barnacle thinks he can determine others’ futures by examining their skulls. The kids view the world as a violent, selfish place, and being ignored by their parents contributes to that.
Miss Emily’s personality is a strong contrast to the triplets, as she’s loving, caring, and kind. These emotions are unknown to the children, and they think Ms. Emily is weird. She recognizes that the orphans’ violent behaviors will keep them from being adopted, so she adopts them herself. This relationship is the guiding force of the plot, although it’s a rocky road. The kids recognize that Ms. Emily cares for them, so they make an effort to try fitting in. Garlic tries to help a neighbor with his squirrel problem, but he doesn’t appreciate the huge hole she creates in his backyard. Barnacle tells the future of two neighbors walking down the street, but the women don’t respond as readers might expect.
The narrator speaks directly to readers and adds additional humor, as if that were necessary. The opening page warns readers that “characters will suffer tragedies... die in unspeakable ways… Only a truly horrible person would be amused by their misfortune.” The narrator shares reminders of past events and informs readers about the missing Weirdie parents’ activities. The narrator occasionally strays from the topic and shares personal anecdotes, including an apology to her father. It’s all done to enhance the story in order to make it more amusing.
What didn’t work as well:
The main issue is the violence. Parents probably won’t appreciate it, but middle-school readers often like things that aren’t socially acceptable. The book’s resolution will be unexpected, but a sequel will be coming.
The final verdict:
The children may remind readers of the Addams Family kids, Wendy and Pugsley. Their moral standards are abnormal, and the humor may not appeal to everyone. However, those readers with a tolerance for the absurd will enjoy it, and a story of love and family lies at the heart of the tale. Check it out for yourself.
December 18, 2025
The Weirdies est une sorte d’Orphelins de Baudelaire un peu plus décalé, avec de l’humour noir. C’est un livre qui ne se prend pas au sérieux, et qui est là pour nous faire rire.
Le fait que le roman soit divisé en deux histoires distinctes, comme s’il s’agissait de deux volumes, est très appréciable. Le rythme est donc assez rapide, on ne s’ennuie pas une seule seconde. L’ensemble est assez visuel, et ferait une excellente adaptation.
L’intrigue est drôle, j’ai passé un très bon moment. L’histoire ne prend absolument pas le tournant auquel on s’attend lorsqu’ils deviennent orphelins. Point de dramatique à la Baudelaire mais plutôt de l’absurde et de la criminalité. La morale de cette histoire est très belle, pleine d’amour et d’acceptation de soi. Même si l’humour et l’absurde règnent en maître sur le texte.
La légèreté du ton et des sous-intrigues vient contrebalancer la gravité de la situation initiale (des parents morts avalés par des requins laissant derrière eux des triplés orphelins). Et cette absurdité omniprésente fait de The Weirdies une lecture légère et marrante. La lecture est appréciable. Il y a plein de détails saugrenus qui plairont aux jeunes lecteurs. Mais les triplés sont glauques, un peu à la Mercredi, et parfois l’intrigue frise le fantastique (les enfants sont à moitié serpent par exemple). C’est quelque peu violent parfois, on y parle d’organes, de mots, de bagarres, de lancer de hache. Mais nous savons que les enfants de la génération alpha sont moins sensibles à la violence, donc ça fonctionne.
Les personnages légèrement fous, un peu criminels et totalement barrés que sont les Weirdies nous rappellent les différents membres de la Famille Addams.
Le narrateur/auteur est un personnage plus qu’appréciable car très drôle. Il permet aussi à ce roman d’être une lecture autant appréciée par un enfant que par l’adulte qui pourrait le lire. La narration est remplie d’anecdotes et de petits commentaires sarcastiques à double sens pour les parents. On sent que l’auteur s’est amusé à l’écrire, et on s’amuse à le lire.
Le fait que le roman soit divisé en deux histoires distinctes, comme s’il s’agissait de deux volumes, est très appréciable. Le rythme est donc assez rapide, on ne s’ennuie pas une seule seconde. L’ensemble est assez visuel, et ferait une excellente adaptation.
L’intrigue est drôle, j’ai passé un très bon moment. L’histoire ne prend absolument pas le tournant auquel on s’attend lorsqu’ils deviennent orphelins. Point de dramatique à la Baudelaire mais plutôt de l’absurde et de la criminalité. La morale de cette histoire est très belle, pleine d’amour et d’acceptation de soi. Même si l’humour et l’absurde règnent en maître sur le texte.
La légèreté du ton et des sous-intrigues vient contrebalancer la gravité de la situation initiale (des parents morts avalés par des requins laissant derrière eux des triplés orphelins). Et cette absurdité omniprésente fait de The Weirdies une lecture légère et marrante. La lecture est appréciable. Il y a plein de détails saugrenus qui plairont aux jeunes lecteurs. Mais les triplés sont glauques, un peu à la Mercredi, et parfois l’intrigue frise le fantastique (les enfants sont à moitié serpent par exemple). C’est quelque peu violent parfois, on y parle d’organes, de mots, de bagarres, de lancer de hache. Mais nous savons que les enfants de la génération alpha sont moins sensibles à la violence, donc ça fonctionne.
Les personnages légèrement fous, un peu criminels et totalement barrés que sont les Weirdies nous rappellent les différents membres de la Famille Addams.
Le narrateur/auteur est un personnage plus qu’appréciable car très drôle. Il permet aussi à ce roman d’être une lecture autant appréciée par un enfant que par l’adulte qui pourrait le lire. La narration est remplie d’anecdotes et de petits commentaires sarcastiques à double sens pour les parents. On sent que l’auteur s’est amusé à l’écrire, et on s’amuse à le lire.
November 16, 2025
The Weirdies are a very weird family. Mr. Weirdie is fabulously rich. He and his wife, known only as the Enchantress (a former circus snake charmer) inhabit a mansion in Hammertoe, MA, also known as the serial killer capital of the world. Their ten-year-old triplets, Barnacle, Melancholy, and Garlic, are even weirder than their parents, mostly because they have learned they need to be weird in order to attract the attention of their parents who are constantly distracted by the numerous strange people who also inhabit the mansion. One day, however, the three children awake to find they have been left alone as everyone else has gone on vacation without them. When the triplets are sent to Our Lady of the Perpetual Side-Eye orphanage, they attract the attention of Miss Emily, a blessedly normal and very persistent case worker who becomes their foster mother. How the triplets learn about family makes for a very entertaining read, especially for those who enjoy the outrageous and the macabre.
August 10, 2025
The Weirdies and the rest of their many friends staying at the manor left for vacation, only problem is they forgot the kids, Barnacle, Melancholy, and Garlic. The children are sent to stay at Our Lady of Perpetual Side-Eye orphanage. This is where the triplets meet a nice caseworker, Miss Emily. Despite Miss Emily’s hard work none of the families work out for the triplets. What will happen to them now?
This is a great book for anyone who has felt different from others at one time or another. These characters are fun and quirky but it is fun, as is the book. The story is interesting as it is a bit different than other stories, I loved it. This will be a story I hope continues because I would love to be able to check in on the triplets every now and again.
This review copy was provided by Edelweiss
This is a great book for anyone who has felt different from others at one time or another. These characters are fun and quirky but it is fun, as is the book. The story is interesting as it is a bit different than other stories, I loved it. This will be a story I hope continues because I would love to be able to check in on the triplets every now and again.
This review copy was provided by Edelweiss
August 15, 2025
I can't wait to read this book to my boys. I know one son in particular is going to love all of its weirdness! I can't fathom how Michael Buckley comes up with some of this stuff. It is absolutely ridiculous, and young readers are going to eat it up! I fully anticipate hearing, “one more chapter, one more chapter!” every time that I stop reading to my kids. And, if you enjoy audio books, then you must listen to Kate Winslet narrate The Weirdies. When I saw it was available on audio I had to listen to it and it gave me some very good ideas of how to read it out loud myself. I would often listen while following along on my ecopy. If you enjoy The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science then this should be your next read.
September 4, 2025
Michael Buckley must have had so much fun penning this book. The amount of pop culture and generally random references written into the characters and their stories made me laugh out loud many times. Following the randomness of the Weirdies left me shaking my head and wondering what in the world could come at them next. While the story is loosely realistic, the extreme oddities and outrageous responses make the reader wonder where the story will go next. The Weirdies would make an excellent classroom read-aloud, a bedtime reading with the kids, or just a fun book to read as an adult. I am eagerly awaiting the next one in the series, because in true Michael Buckley style, it leaves the reader on an excellent cliffhanger.
October 21, 2025
I found this on Audible when looking for something to listen to in the car. I thought it was going to be something way different than it is.
I found myself laughing most of the time during it. It was definitely a different story for sure. It reminded me of several stories from my childhood. I loved the voices the narrator had for the different characters.
The description of each one was so great, you can just picture them. I really enjoyed it and made my car ride much more enjoyable for sure. I have gotten the rest of the series to see what else the Weirdlies next adventure becomes.
I found myself laughing most of the time during it. It was definitely a different story for sure. It reminded me of several stories from my childhood. I loved the voices the narrator had for the different characters.
The description of each one was so great, you can just picture them. I really enjoyed it and made my car ride much more enjoyable for sure. I have gotten the rest of the series to see what else the Weirdlies next adventure becomes.
November 22, 2025
That was crazy AND good XD funny and messed up a little and I would NEVER give this to a child to read. Cuz this material is for young adults barely LOL. I dunno why I'm surprised, as a kid I absolutely loved Disney's the Black Cauldron (straight up HORROR) and their Hunchback of Notredam. Kids are scary and you forget that when you grow up. Like The School for Good and Evil is middle grade yet a fav of mine as an adult and it's similarly messed up. Dang.
October 5, 2025
Reading the description I thought this was going to be super funny and entertaining, similar to A Series of Unfortunate Events, but it missed its mark quite a bit. Closer to an Adam’s Family type read with spooky weird. The underlying message is good though.
August 25, 2025
If Miss Honey adopted Wednesday, Pugsley, and Fester Jr and it was all narrated by Iain Stirling you’d have something close to this quirky, slightly acerbic book.
October 12, 2025
Nelson loved this! (8 year old)
October 21, 2025
This is a great audio book to listen to with kids. It’s stilly and fun and Kate Winslet did a great job reading it.
December 24, 2025
if you did the audible originals then story is same but look at illustration is worth a peek
October 5, 2025
This book was billed as perfect for fans of A Series of Unfortunate Events, among other titles. I suppose if Lemony Snicket had been a highly creative fourth-grade boy who kept saying "And guess what happened then?" I could get the comparison. I can only describe this tale as wacky. It has the sense of doom and pop references found in other tales, but it veers into the nonsensical way too often, even if I try to put myself in the mindset of the younger readers perusing my classroom library.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
June 14, 2025
The Weirdie triplets wake one morning to find themselves orphans. Every member of their 350+ household has disappeared on an ill-fated cruise, along with all of the house’s furniture and most of the doors. The triplets - Barnacle, Melancholy and Garlic – arrive at an orphanage where they scare off all potential adopters until they are welcomed into the home Miss Emily where they frighten her suburban neighbors.
The children are learning to accept Miss Emily’s unconditional love when two figures from their past make a surprise return, threatening to upend the comfortably strange family they’ve built.
The Weirdies are what would happen if the Addams family had more money and less scruples. Stir in a dash of Edward Gorey and Louis Sachar and you’ve got an idea of the author’s humorous style. Each character is lovably loathsome in their own unique way. Some of the jokes may go over young readers’ heads, and a prolonged bit on the effects of rabies irked me a bit (it was ultimately resolved in a clever way, but I found myself arguing with the book before that resolution). I only wish that the book hadn’t ended in such an abrupt way, leaving me impatiently waiting for book two.
With its absurd dark humor, wonderful illustrations and fast-paced action, The Weirdies makes a great recommendation for young reluctant readers. I can see lots of kids eager to turn the page and discover what the Weirdies get into next.
Thank you to Little, Brown Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for providing the e-arc for my honest review.
The children are learning to accept Miss Emily’s unconditional love when two figures from their past make a surprise return, threatening to upend the comfortably strange family they’ve built.
The Weirdies are what would happen if the Addams family had more money and less scruples. Stir in a dash of Edward Gorey and Louis Sachar and you’ve got an idea of the author’s humorous style. Each character is lovably loathsome in their own unique way. Some of the jokes may go over young readers’ heads, and a prolonged bit on the effects of rabies irked me a bit (it was ultimately resolved in a clever way, but I found myself arguing with the book before that resolution). I only wish that the book hadn’t ended in such an abrupt way, leaving me impatiently waiting for book two.
With its absurd dark humor, wonderful illustrations and fast-paced action, The Weirdies makes a great recommendation for young reluctant readers. I can see lots of kids eager to turn the page and discover what the Weirdies get into next.
Thank you to Little, Brown Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for providing the e-arc for my honest review.
June 21, 2025
This is a fun book. I am a 40 year old woman and I think this is a fun book. This is written for the 4-6 grade set. There are 80s pop references, there are comments both social and political, there are so many things that the 4-6 grade set are not going to get. They don't know who He-Man is. So I am confused about who this book is really written for.
April 27, 2025
This was a fun book to read with my daughter. Loved the characters and we enjoyed laughing together. Enjoyable for all ages. Hard to find books that keep her interest and are also age appropriate. Looking forward to future books!
April 6, 2025
Zany & fun, fast-paced & surprisingly heartfelt. Full of humor that will delight kids & adults alike, The Weirdies is a perfect family readaloud and will hook even reluctant readers.
April 18, 2025
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
An even quirkier and more bizarre version of Wood's The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place or Snicket's Series of Unfortunate Events.
An even quirkier and more bizarre version of Wood's The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place or Snicket's Series of Unfortunate Events.
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