Knock About with the Fitzgerald-Trouts

The Fitzgerald-Trouts #2

by Esta Spalding

Welcome to the further adventures of the plucky Fitzgerald-Trout siblings, who live on a tropical island where the grown-ups are useless, but the kids can drive.

In this second installment, the delightfully self-reliant siblings continue their search for a home. This time their pursuit will bring them face-to-face with a flood, illegal carnivorous plants, and the chance to win an extraordinary prize at a carnival. Will they finally find a place to call home?

Genres: Middle Grade, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Childrens, Adventure, Canada, Young Adult

Audible Audio

First published May 9, 2017

Reviews

[Literary Chanteuse · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another story filled with adventure and mystery, the Fitzgerald-Trouts discover new things about their island home and about themselves, while rising to the challenges that face them together as a family. I found they argued a lot more and brooded over their circumstances which dragged the story down on occasion and Jonny Trout's character really darkened the story for me however, it is jammed packed with the quirkiness that make these children appealing and their commitment to each other admirable encouraging the reader to root for the Fitzgerald-Trouts from beginning to end.

I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 5 out of 5]

While the big plot of this book is still the search for a home, and the chance of finding one in the form of a yacht, this one also has an environmental message. It's not a global warming one — though the excessive rains and flooding might give the impression. Instead, it's all about the plants and the way that non-native species can destroy an island's ecosystem.

http://pussreboots.com/blog/2017/comm...

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a fan!!! I absolutely LOVED "Knock About With the Fitzgerald-Trouts," which I won via Goodreads Giveaways!

Esta Spalding immediately won me over with her earnest storytelling, and her five young but resilient characters captured my heart from the very beginning. The mom in me was angry at the parents for leaving their five children -- Kimo, Kim, Pippa, Toby and Penny -- ranging from ages 11 to infancy to fend for themselves by living off of the land and their smarts, even though I knew it was pure fiction. That just goes to show you how well Spalding weaves her story and how easily she pulls you into their world on Oceania.

I'm not going to give away the story, so you need not worry about any spoilers, but I have no doubt other adults like myself will enjoy this book just as much -- if not more -- as their own children. It's THAT good! But don't take my word for it. Give it a read and find out for yourself just how right I am! I promise you won't be disappointed with this gem!

[Em · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this charming sequel to Look Out For The Fitzgerald-Trouts, 11-year-old Kim and her four younger siblings are again immersed in another puzzling tropical island adventure. Neglectful, unloving parents who want as little to do with them as possible have abandoned the 5 children to live on their own and fend for themselves. Living in their small green car, eating the fish that they catch and fruit that they forage makes for a challenging life, but as long as they’re together, the Fitzgerald-Trouts are happy.

Mysterious people and way too much rain, along with knockabouts, volcanos and dangerous, bug-eating plants combine with the children’s desire to win an exceptional, desperately needed summer carnival prize in this fantastical tale. The Fitzgerald-Trout children are resilient, inventive, and determined to stay together and that means nothing, and no one is going to come between them.

This latest adventure shines the spotlight on the power of family and sibling love with humour and creativity. Delightfully playful illustrations by Sydney Smith pepper the book helping the reader to connect more deeply with the characters and the storyline. Author Esta Spalding has created another fanciful, engaging story that is sure to entertain middle-grade readers everywhere!

[Viktoriia Lastovets · Rating 2 out of 5]

Книга не понравилась. Из положительного в ней только красивая обложка и хорошее оформление с твердым переплетом и рисунками в тексте.
Книга детская, но смысла в ней 0. Пыталась представить себя на месте ребенка, понравился ли бы мне сюжет? Сомневаюсь.
Итак, 5 детей живут без взрослых, все они между собой сестры и братья, но от 5 (!!!) разных родителей (2 мамы и 3 папы). Родителей они своих ненавидят, считают безответственными и не приспособленными к жизни. 2 старших детей при этом ведут себя практически как взрослые, озабочены теми же проблемами накормить-поменять-подгузник-и-т-д, но при этом яро отметая все поучительные "крылатые фразы", которые якобы любят повторять взрослые.
При этом всем дети бомжуют, спят в машине, живут на острове, и в большинстве своем оторванны от мира. Откуда они взялись такие умные и ответственные, не понятно. Да и сюжет какой-то странный - дети ищут дом практически все 300 стр. Бредовая идея автора вобщем, как по моему мнению.

[Jim Barry · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second installment in the Fitzgerald-Trout series was certainly as enjoyable as the first. The Fitzgerald-Trout kids often pull against each other in true family style, even as they band together in attempts to secure a real home. Esta Spalding moves the plot along quickly through fun and fantastic settings, from the deep forest, to a flooded landscape, to the hot lava of a volcano. I enjoyed the family's role in helping Mr. Knuckles through his romantic difficulties, and Wendell the talented pig was a nice touch as well.
The other great pen here is Sydney Smith; I laughed out loud at his illustration of one of the parents on page 143. With a few deft strokes, he has captured the character of one of those mean, self centered moms that almost everyone has seen somewhere.
This is a fun, memorable read for kids and adults.

[Emily Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of Knockabout with the Fitzgerald-Trouts through Goodreads Giveaways in exchange for an honest review. This was such a cute, fun, heartwarming story of five siblings who raise themselves on an exotic island - a unique spin on the "grownups suck" narrative! There were nods to global warming throughout, and some emotional moments through the book as each child (particularly Kimo) grapples with how to manage underwhelming parents.

While this is the second book in a series, it can absolutely be read as a standalone without any confusion.

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the Fitzgerald-Trouts. They certainly have their challenges. Who wouldn't - five kids living in a car and trying to make sure everything important is taken care of without the help of adult. Johnny Trout is back - loving his pig more than his son and figuring out how to make all the money he can. Kimo has other plans, and with the help of Kim, Pippa, Toby and baby Penny, they discover what home and family mean. They also discover - all adults are bad, but certainly the adults connected to the Fitzgerald-Trouts should be avoided!

[Colette · Rating 4 out of 5]

The sequel to Watch Our for the Fitzgerald Trouts is every bit as charming and original as the first. Middle grade readers will enjoy the whimsical names and free-wheeling lifestyle of the Fitzgerald-Trout children. Although eldest, Kim is still worried about finding a house to live in. The terrible parents are back and Johnny Trout, Kimo's father, is just as vilanous as the rest with a plot that harms the very ecology of their island paradise home. Highly recommended for all!

[Donna Dobihal Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hop in the car with these five endearing siblings as they traverse their island in search of a home they can call their own. What? Five kids scratching out a living on their own? Where are their parents? Find out in this funny, captivating island adventure - with a mystery tossed on board to add the the fun!

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the sequel to Look Out for the Fitzgerald-Trouts and for whatever reason, it took me forever to finish reading this one aloud to my kids and we kind of lost momentum on the way. I liked the first one better.

[Ella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as good as the first, but still excellent!

[Debra Schoenberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beware! There’s some pretty intense burping happening in this book (throw in a volcano, a lovesick laundromat owner and plenty of action!)

An exciting sequel to Look Out for the Fitzgerald-Trouts!

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun series. The kids are honest, funny & lovable characters.

[Malak Othman · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is an awesome book

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable read-aloud romp with the Fitzgerald-Trout kids.

[Nazee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much. It always had you on your toes waiting for the next thing to happen.

[Lilly Morales · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book because of the many adventures the Fitz-Gerald Trouts kids went through.

[Miki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting enough to this adult reader that I will be searching out the other books in the series. A fast read, interesting characters and setting. I need to know more about this "family".

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved this, but if you haven't read the first book it might not make sense (and given the target reader, middle graders, that might be a problem). The Fitzgerald-Trouts are Pippi Longstocking-esque, living virtually without supervision or parents on a tropical island. Unlike Pippi, each book is one adventure, which allows for a little more world-building. Cute series and can't wait for the next book.

ARC provided by publisher.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author makes this small group of children charming and endearing to read about.

[Katie Metcalf]

It was awesome. Seeing 5 children living on their own and having rotten parents and then saving the island. It was amazing.