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Baxter Family Children #1
Best Family Ever
Mom was right. Your best friends are the ones around the dinner table each night.
Much-loved storyteller Karen Kingsbury’s Baxter Family books have captured the hearts of millions who have come to think of the Baxter family as their own. Now Karen Kingsbury and her son Tyler Russell tell the childhood stories of the beloved Baxter children—Brooke, Kari, Ashley, Erin, and Luke—to inspire and entertain younger readers.
Brooke is the perfect older sister. For that reason, Kari and Ashley work hard to make their parents just as proud of them as they are of Brooke. Each girl has her own talents. Brooke is an excellent student. Kari is a great soccer player. Ashley, a talented artist. And they are always there for each other. But when the news comes that Dr. Baxter is moving the family from Ann Arbor, Michigan, to Bloomington, Indiana, and the Baxters need to leave the only home and friends they’ve ever known, no one is happy. Saying goodbye is hard but the family still has what’s most important—their faith and their love for each other.
In the first book in the Baxter Family Children series, #1 New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury and Tyler Russell tell the story of what it was like to grow up in the Baxter family, the best family ever.
Much-loved storyteller Karen Kingsbury’s Baxter Family books have captured the hearts of millions who have come to think of the Baxter family as their own. Now Karen Kingsbury and her son Tyler Russell tell the childhood stories of the beloved Baxter children—Brooke, Kari, Ashley, Erin, and Luke—to inspire and entertain younger readers.
Brooke is the perfect older sister. For that reason, Kari and Ashley work hard to make their parents just as proud of them as they are of Brooke. Each girl has her own talents. Brooke is an excellent student. Kari is a great soccer player. Ashley, a talented artist. And they are always there for each other. But when the news comes that Dr. Baxter is moving the family from Ann Arbor, Michigan, to Bloomington, Indiana, and the Baxters need to leave the only home and friends they’ve ever known, no one is happy. Saying goodbye is hard but the family still has what’s most important—their faith and their love for each other.
In the first book in the Baxter Family Children series, #1 New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury and Tyler Russell tell the story of what it was like to grow up in the Baxter family, the best family ever.
277 pages, Hardcover
First published February 5, 2019
339 people are currently reading
1886 people want to read
About the author
Karen Kingsbury
208 books12k followersKaren Kingsbury, #1 New York Times bestselling novelist, is America’s favorite inspirational storyteller, with more than twenty-five million copies of her award-winning books in print. Her last dozen titles have topped bestseller lists and many of her novels are under development with Hallmark Films and as major motion pictures. Her Baxter Family books are being developed into a TV series slated for major network viewing sometime in the next year. Karen is also an adjunct professor of writing at Liberty University. In 2001 she and her husband, Don, adopted three boys from Haiti, doubling their family in a matter of months. Today the couple has joined the ranks of empty nesters, living in Tennessee near five of their adult children.
See more at: http://authors.simonandschuster.com/K...
See more at: http://authors.simonandschuster.com/K...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 194 reviews
April 16, 2020
My wife is a big fan of Karen Kingsbury. She received a copy of this as a gift and since it is geared toward a younger audience, we decided to read it out loud as a family. My kids have been really into out loud reading time at night and it is fun to see them get excited to recap what we read the night before. These are times I will cherish forever!
I have not read any Kingsbury myself before this and am not likely to read her again simply because her writing doesn’t fall into my normal preference. But, it was fun to get a glimpse into a book that is part of a series my wife loves so much. As it deals with the younger versions of some of the main characters in her other books, I think that this will be more enjoyed by a Kingsbury fan than someone who is just picking up a young adult book for a stand-alone read.
Kingsbury is a spiritual, Christian author. If this is not your jam, this would not be the book for you. But, if you don’t care one way or another or are spiritual/Christian yourself, and you like cute, coming of age young adult novels, then this book is very worth a try.
When we were finished, my kids asked if there is a sequel. So great to see them excited and I guess maybe there is a good chance I will be reading some more Kingsbury in the future!
I have not read any Kingsbury myself before this and am not likely to read her again simply because her writing doesn’t fall into my normal preference. But, it was fun to get a glimpse into a book that is part of a series my wife loves so much. As it deals with the younger versions of some of the main characters in her other books, I think that this will be more enjoyed by a Kingsbury fan than someone who is just picking up a young adult book for a stand-alone read.
Kingsbury is a spiritual, Christian author. If this is not your jam, this would not be the book for you. But, if you don’t care one way or another or are spiritual/Christian yourself, and you like cute, coming of age young adult novels, then this book is very worth a try.
When we were finished, my kids asked if there is a sequel. So great to see them excited and I guess maybe there is a good chance I will be reading some more Kingsbury in the future!
January 5, 2020
"Best Family Ever" is packed full of wonderful life lessons and its characters are incredibly relatable. The Baxter kids in this book experience all sorts of normal childhood things, including social and academic struggles and successes, friendships, bullies, balancing hobbies and schoolwork, and the difficulty of moving long distance. They get through all of these things and more relying on their family and their faith in God.
This is such a great book for people of all ages, but especially for kids ages 8-12, grades 3-7. I wish I had a book like this to read as a kid and I can't wait to re-read "Best Family Ever" with my soon to be 10-year-old niece! I highly recommend this book!
This is such a great book for people of all ages, but especially for kids ages 8-12, grades 3-7. I wish I had a book like this to read as a kid and I can't wait to re-read "Best Family Ever" with my soon to be 10-year-old niece! I highly recommend this book!
September 4, 2023
This was sweet. I read the Baxter Family Prequel but other than that I have read nothing from the Baxters. I think this is the adult characters from the series as children, but for me it didn't matter. This is the story of a family with 5 kids and their experiences from Valentines Day through summer one year. There are issues of jealousy, being left out, moving to a new town, etc. and how you deal with that as a Christian child. I think its just a little old for my 5 year old, but maybe 6-7 years old would be a good minimum age for this as a read aloud!
Read
May 18, 2024TBFL* library book
January 14, 2019
There is much to love about this Baxter family story which focuses on the five Baxter children. The older three girls (Brooke, Kari and Ashley) are given their own chapters with Ashley having the bulk of them. I am assuming that the other girls might get more focus in future books in the series).
This family has normal blowups and shenanigans, but they focus on the relationship to each other and ultimately to God in the midst of the day-t0day. It is humbling and inspiring to see a model family. Is it envy that makes them seem a bit too syrupy sweet?
This family has normal blowups and shenanigans, but they focus on the relationship to each other and ultimately to God in the midst of the day-t0day. It is humbling and inspiring to see a model family. Is it envy that makes them seem a bit too syrupy sweet?
April 18, 2019
The audience for this book is white upper middle class Christian families who are completely out of touch with the struggles of the working class. It’s written in a way that makes me think the authors haven’t actually spoken to a fourth grade child maybe ever?
June 4, 2019
Nice kids' story about a close family and how they handle life's bumps. They talk out disagreements, they firmly and compassionately deal with sin, they value each other, they pray. The main problem they have to go through in this story is having to move to a different state, saying goodbye to everything and everyone they've known all their lives.
March 4, 2019
A bit on the overly sweet side, but cute. Fun to see familiar characters as children. Would an actual child enjoy this book? Meh.
April 7, 2019
I loved reading about the Baxters before they became adults..It was such a wonderful read. I can't wait for the next one.
May 2, 2019
I loved this book!! Great story!! It was cute!! It was cool to learn about the Baxter children when they were younger!! The book was too short!!
April 28, 2025
i love this book ! and i what to read the next book .
Read
January 20, 2021Baxter is moving the family from Ann Arbor to Bloomington, Indiana, and the Baxters need to leave the only home and friends they've ever known, no one is happy. Saying goodbye is hard but the family still has what's most important—their faith and their love for each other.
There is another book along with this book, And there is another one (Never Grow Up) coming out on February 23, 2021.
There is another book along with this book, And there is another one (Never Grow Up) coming out on February 23, 2021.
November 7, 2023
I shouldn’t have been surprised. This was such a beautifully written book. It totally captures the childhood personalities of each of the Baxter children.
Would be a fantastic book for elementary aged children who are starting to read short chapter books.
Packed with beautifully simple and true lessons about who God is and how He cares for us.
Would be a fantastic book for elementary aged children who are starting to read short chapter books.
Packed with beautifully simple and true lessons about who God is and how He cares for us.
March 13, 2023
Best Family Ever by Karen Kingsbury and Tyler Russell
Baxter Family Children #1
277-page Hardback
Genre: Christian Fiction, Children's > Middle Grade; Juvenile > Young Adult; Family, Realistic Fiction
Featuring: Mother-Son Duo, Author's Letter, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Multiple POVs, Large Family, Siblings, Graphics, 💝Valentine's Day, Wholesome Characters, Vocabulary, School Setting, Hilton Head, South Carolina; Bloomington, Indiana; Traveling, God's Plan, Drama, Moving, Hallmark Moments, Prayers, 🎨Art, ⚽️Soccer
Rating as a movie: PG
Songs for the soundtrack: "You Are My Sunshine"
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️¾
My thoughts: 📖 Page 49 of 277 Ch. 4 The Perfect Party • Ashley - I don't know what I was thinking. I now remember the Baxter books being so sweet they'd make sugar taste like salt, but I got the entire collection. I was thinking I could finish this series since it's not 40 books deep. I'm going to stick with it, but this is what I imagine kids are like on The Sims.
📖 221 Ch. 20 Soup Kitchen - I can't do it. I'm a few chapters away from the end, but I need out of this world. Once you suppress petty drama and impractical vocabulary, it's very good, but I can't take much more of Ashley. I just need a few chapters with adults.
My issues with this book are that the children aren't written well, and the parents have weird lessons. The character that got on my nerves the most was Ashley. She's 10 and in 4th grade and uses vocabulary words like effervescent and pervasive but also uses The Awful Tower [Eiffel] multiple times and thinks you can keep a horse in the mud room. I know it's difficult for authors to write children especially since not all children are going to be the same in each age group but there is a general idea and I get annoyed when they cannot tell if the character they are writing is supposed to be 3 or 16. There's a lot of that here. The issues in these books are petty, and the advice the parents give is often not good or Christian-like. The oldest girl is upset because she is worried about getting Valentine's Day cards from boys, but then when she gets none from the boys, she's upset about it. The 11-year-old 5th grader is worried about a boy who had a crush on her last year embarrassing her again by giving her a large Valentine this year. He gives her a teddy bear, which he says she can give to her little brother, and he crosses out Valentine to say "Would You Be My Friend" and declares he only wants to be friends. She's then upset that he is talking to other girls at lunchtime after she agreed to be his friend, how dare he makes friends with other girls. The mom does not check either of these girls for mixed signals or jealousy; she gives all of them the same advice: when people hurt you, you have to give them grace. How about not being jealous because this is not your boyfriend, and he doesn't owe you anything you didn't even want his friendship? The one that really annoyed me was when Ashley, who's the troublemaker, lies to her parents and her parents chant a motto: "You don't love people you lie to, you don't lie to people you love." Are you kidding me? Where does it say that in the Bible? People lie all the time; you fall short every day; that's why you need grace and mercy. So if I lie to my mom about doing my homework, it means I don't love her? Got it! Because of that stuff, I couldn't give this book 5 stars and pondered if it deserved 4 stars. In the end, the family life and good times outweighed the hackneyed immature jokes and you'll-need-therapy-later advice. I will be continuing the kid series, but I can't read the original series after reading this one, knowing the tragedies of the future.
Recommend to others?: Sure, but I would read it with your kids in case there are any points you want to discuss.
Baxter Family Children #1
277-page Hardback
Genre: Christian Fiction, Children's > Middle Grade; Juvenile > Young Adult; Family, Realistic Fiction
Featuring: Mother-Son Duo, Author's Letter, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Multiple POVs, Large Family, Siblings, Graphics, 💝Valentine's Day, Wholesome Characters, Vocabulary, School Setting, Hilton Head, South Carolina; Bloomington, Indiana; Traveling, God's Plan, Drama, Moving, Hallmark Moments, Prayers, 🎨Art, ⚽️Soccer
Rating as a movie: PG
Songs for the soundtrack: "You Are My Sunshine"
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️¾
My thoughts: 📖 Page 49 of 277 Ch. 4 The Perfect Party • Ashley - I don't know what I was thinking. I now remember the Baxter books being so sweet they'd make sugar taste like salt, but I got the entire collection. I was thinking I could finish this series since it's not 40 books deep. I'm going to stick with it, but this is what I imagine kids are like on The Sims.
📖 221 Ch. 20 Soup Kitchen - I can't do it. I'm a few chapters away from the end, but I need out of this world. Once you suppress petty drama and impractical vocabulary, it's very good, but I can't take much more of Ashley. I just need a few chapters with adults.
My issues with this book are that the children aren't written well, and the parents have weird lessons. The character that got on my nerves the most was Ashley. She's 10 and in 4th grade and uses vocabulary words like effervescent and pervasive but also uses The Awful Tower [Eiffel] multiple times and thinks you can keep a horse in the mud room. I know it's difficult for authors to write children especially since not all children are going to be the same in each age group but there is a general idea and I get annoyed when they cannot tell if the character they are writing is supposed to be 3 or 16. There's a lot of that here. The issues in these books are petty, and the advice the parents give is often not good or Christian-like. The oldest girl is upset because she is worried about getting Valentine's Day cards from boys, but then when she gets none from the boys, she's upset about it. The 11-year-old 5th grader is worried about a boy who had a crush on her last year embarrassing her again by giving her a large Valentine this year. He gives her a teddy bear, which he says she can give to her little brother, and he crosses out Valentine to say "Would You Be My Friend" and declares he only wants to be friends. She's then upset that he is talking to other girls at lunchtime after she agreed to be his friend, how dare he makes friends with other girls. The mom does not check either of these girls for mixed signals or jealousy; she gives all of them the same advice: when people hurt you, you have to give them grace. How about not being jealous because this is not your boyfriend, and he doesn't owe you anything you didn't even want his friendship? The one that really annoyed me was when Ashley, who's the troublemaker, lies to her parents and her parents chant a motto: "You don't love people you lie to, you don't lie to people you love." Are you kidding me? Where does it say that in the Bible? People lie all the time; you fall short every day; that's why you need grace and mercy. So if I lie to my mom about doing my homework, it means I don't love her? Got it! Because of that stuff, I couldn't give this book 5 stars and pondered if it deserved 4 stars. In the end, the family life and good times outweighed the hackneyed immature jokes and you'll-need-therapy-later advice. I will be continuing the kid series, but I can't read the original series after reading this one, knowing the tragedies of the future.
Recommend to others?: Sure, but I would read it with your kids in case there are any points you want to discuss.
December 26, 2021
I give this book two stars not for it's lack of a cute story, or heart, but on the soul basis of my attitude while reading it.
Isn't that what all reviews are anyways? Just how it made us feel then? For many times I know I'd have liked a book way better had I been reading it at a better time.
My attitude was embarrassing, childish, and downright... immature. (Frown)
I only was able to nail down why after being 2/3 through the book.
Jealousy.
Plain simple green-eyed monster: jealousy
I felt angry at the "sappy" family dynamics on EVERY page. The overly- supportive, constantly perfect parents that repeatedly said "just the right thing, in love" to each of the 5 children. Or prayed when things were to difficult and then... Wham-o all was fine.
Back to perfect.
I was regularly annoyed because:
1. Life isn't that sweet.
2. Family def isn't that supportive.
3. I'm well acquainted with unanswered prayers.
4. It's obvious this is all set in middle-upper class money.
All things I evaluated and realized... I didn't experience.
Thus like a child I felt angry; temper-tantrum level.
Resorted to criticizing things simply out of envy.
Rolled my eyes at family loving unconditionally, hugging and holding unashamedly.
Balked at parents (and siblings) sharing aloud how proud they were of one another.
Laughed at the child who felt "unforgivable" because of lying once (!) about finishing homework. Lol!
But that's exactly what the author wanted to convey.
It is a children's book (JFic).
It is also a Christian book (author).
And just maybe what the world needs a little more of: truly loving families.
So, maybe my life didn't fit this story.
My life fits very few books or movies!
But that doesn't mean it isn't a good book for people.
Just know it's fiction.
And maybe (?) some people can relate to it all, but that's not what writing is about.
To me writing, reading...its about escaping life and harsh personal reality. Its a rest for my mind from the things that are too hard right now.
Other times it is the kind of escape like a perfect vacation can be. Bringing feelings of gratitude, contentedness, warmth, connectedness, etc.
So in the end, I just LOVE books.
No stars to 5-stars!
They are each so unique.
Every book is for someone, but not for everyone.
Regardless...try to take away something of personal value from each read.
Even if it's a realization of the self.
Or as ugly as jealously.
Isn't that what all reviews are anyways? Just how it made us feel then? For many times I know I'd have liked a book way better had I been reading it at a better time.
My attitude was embarrassing, childish, and downright... immature. (Frown)
I only was able to nail down why after being 2/3 through the book.
Jealousy.
Plain simple green-eyed monster: jealousy
I felt angry at the "sappy" family dynamics on EVERY page. The overly- supportive, constantly perfect parents that repeatedly said "just the right thing, in love" to each of the 5 children. Or prayed when things were to difficult and then... Wham-o all was fine.
Back to perfect.
I was regularly annoyed because:
1. Life isn't that sweet.
2. Family def isn't that supportive.
3. I'm well acquainted with unanswered prayers.
4. It's obvious this is all set in middle-upper class money.
All things I evaluated and realized... I didn't experience.
Thus like a child I felt angry; temper-tantrum level.
Resorted to criticizing things simply out of envy.
Rolled my eyes at family loving unconditionally, hugging and holding unashamedly.
Balked at parents (and siblings) sharing aloud how proud they were of one another.
Laughed at the child who felt "unforgivable" because of lying once (!) about finishing homework. Lol!
But that's exactly what the author wanted to convey.
It is a children's book (JFic).
It is also a Christian book (author).
And just maybe what the world needs a little more of: truly loving families.
So, maybe my life didn't fit this story.
My life fits very few books or movies!
But that doesn't mean it isn't a good book for people.
Just know it's fiction.
And maybe (?) some people can relate to it all, but that's not what writing is about.
To me writing, reading...its about escaping life and harsh personal reality. Its a rest for my mind from the things that are too hard right now.
Other times it is the kind of escape like a perfect vacation can be. Bringing feelings of gratitude, contentedness, warmth, connectedness, etc.
So in the end, I just LOVE books.
No stars to 5-stars!
They are each so unique.
Every book is for someone, but not for everyone.
Regardless...try to take away something of personal value from each read.
Even if it's a realization of the self.
Or as ugly as jealously.
April 14, 2019
Best Book Ever 💙
February 13, 2019
I was so excited for the release of this novel. Karen Kingsbury is one of my absolute favorite authors and her Baxter family has been my favorite for a long time now. This book is the start of books about her Baxter family characters as children. I've always wondered about the Baxter kids and what there life was like growing up, and with this book, we get just that and so much more!
This one focuses on Ashley Baxter. Ashley was one of my favorite characters in the Baxter series and her character as a child......let me tell you, she was full of mischief and I saw myself in her so much! The experiences of having to move and make new friends and adjust to life in a new way, was something that I could relate to, after my dad retired from the military and I had to leave my best friend. The faith, the hope, the love that the Baxter children had as young ones was inspiring, even for this adult!
Whether you have a child or grandchild, niece or nephew, who loves to read, this book is perfect for them! Every child, and adult needs to read this sweet book! I read it in one sitting. Mother and Son did a phenomenal job on this creation! If you're 8, or 98, this is a 5 star read that you will want on your shelf forever! Bravo and magnificently done, Mrs. Kingsbury and Mr. Russell. I can't wait to read the next one!
This one focuses on Ashley Baxter. Ashley was one of my favorite characters in the Baxter series and her character as a child......let me tell you, she was full of mischief and I saw myself in her so much! The experiences of having to move and make new friends and adjust to life in a new way, was something that I could relate to, after my dad retired from the military and I had to leave my best friend. The faith, the hope, the love that the Baxter children had as young ones was inspiring, even for this adult!
Whether you have a child or grandchild, niece or nephew, who loves to read, this book is perfect for them! Every child, and adult needs to read this sweet book! I read it in one sitting. Mother and Son did a phenomenal job on this creation! If you're 8, or 98, this is a 5 star read that you will want on your shelf forever! Bravo and magnificently done, Mrs. Kingsbury and Mr. Russell. I can't wait to read the next one!
January 10, 2022
This book has an obvious didactic motive which was a huge put-off for me. It tells the story of a perfectly perfect Christian family and all of their (very minor) problems are solved through a quick prayer and just trying to be happy. I am a Christian and think the messages this book tries to send are unhealthy for the young audience it targets. If, like me, you want your kids to know that no family is perfect, it’s okay not to be happy all the time, and we all deal with problems even with a strong faith, then steer clear of this book.
May 16, 2024
I’m torn between 2.75 stars & 3 stars
I loved getting to see the Baxter siblings as children and getting to “know” these characters a little more. I think reading/listening to this series is going to make the original Baxter series even better. If I had been 12 or 13-years-old when this book came out it would have been a 5 star read.
In this book the Baxter kids find out they will be moving from Michigan to Bloomington, Indiana.
I loved getting to see the Baxter siblings as children and getting to “know” these characters a little more. I think reading/listening to this series is going to make the original Baxter series even better. If I had been 12 or 13-years-old when this book came out it would have been a 5 star read.
In this book the Baxter kids find out they will be moving from Michigan to Bloomington, Indiana.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 27, 2019
Love books by Kingsbury but this was too juvenile. Couldn't continue reading it.
July 3, 2025
I love this book. Definitely one of my favorites. I highly recommend it.
January 6, 2023
E ARC from Netgalley
The Baxter family lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where the father is a doctor. Brooke is the oldest, and is "perfect" and responsible. Kari is good at school but not as good at soccer. Ashley is very flighty and would rather draw than do her math. The two youngest children, Luke and Erin, don't have as much of a role in the book. On the eve of a vacation to a beach house, the parents drop the news that the family is going to move to Bloomington, Indiana, where the father has a job heading up a new hospital. This is the worst news in the world, and Ashley is especially horrified by it. Still, family is everything, and they can all pray to God for help with this situation. When they return home, the school year continues with Ashley not doing her school work and getting in trouble, soccer try outs that are almost as crushing as the news of the move, and the eventual slide to the end of the school year and the very last day. The moving van is packed, and the family holds on to the thought that even though they are sad to move, they will all be together in their new home.
Strengths: This is a gentle tale that hearkens back to classic literature for children. The problems are very uncontroversial, and the family is privileged enough that the horrific things that happen are moving and not making the soccer team. The family is very religious, which is not shown much in middle grade literature. I could see a lot of home schooling parents want to share this with their children.
Weaknesses: This had a lot of hallmarks of fiction for children written by someone used to writing for adults. It was slower paced, focusing more on feelings than action. It put more emphasis on family than most middle school students put, and the parents were beloved and not irritating. I know that Kingsbury writes a lot of adult fiction, which I haven't read, and maybe the next book will have a better grip on what children want to read.
What I really think: I won't be buying this for my school. It's just not very interesting. When I reviewed Never Evers, I commented "If we have books about children living in poverty, why not books about children who ski in France? The world is full of all kinds of people, and it's interesting to read about them." So yes, we need books about well-to-do, heavily Christian white families, but unfortunately, it was not very interesting to read about the Baxters.
On a purely personal note, I took a violent dislike to the family after one sister decides that what should go in the center of her dream collage is a picture of her parents dancing in the kitchen, because her highest goal in life was to have a marriage and family. Gah! That's just me, I know, but it really set my teeth on edge for the rest of the book, especially knowing that the first adult book about the Baxters involves the father having an affair and the mother refusing to divorce him. Not my truth.
The Baxter family lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where the father is a doctor. Brooke is the oldest, and is "perfect" and responsible. Kari is good at school but not as good at soccer. Ashley is very flighty and would rather draw than do her math. The two youngest children, Luke and Erin, don't have as much of a role in the book. On the eve of a vacation to a beach house, the parents drop the news that the family is going to move to Bloomington, Indiana, where the father has a job heading up a new hospital. This is the worst news in the world, and Ashley is especially horrified by it. Still, family is everything, and they can all pray to God for help with this situation. When they return home, the school year continues with Ashley not doing her school work and getting in trouble, soccer try outs that are almost as crushing as the news of the move, and the eventual slide to the end of the school year and the very last day. The moving van is packed, and the family holds on to the thought that even though they are sad to move, they will all be together in their new home.
Strengths: This is a gentle tale that hearkens back to classic literature for children. The problems are very uncontroversial, and the family is privileged enough that the horrific things that happen are moving and not making the soccer team. The family is very religious, which is not shown much in middle grade literature. I could see a lot of home schooling parents want to share this with their children.
Weaknesses: This had a lot of hallmarks of fiction for children written by someone used to writing for adults. It was slower paced, focusing more on feelings than action. It put more emphasis on family than most middle school students put, and the parents were beloved and not irritating. I know that Kingsbury writes a lot of adult fiction, which I haven't read, and maybe the next book will have a better grip on what children want to read.
What I really think: I won't be buying this for my school. It's just not very interesting. When I reviewed Never Evers, I commented "If we have books about children living in poverty, why not books about children who ski in France? The world is full of all kinds of people, and it's interesting to read about them." So yes, we need books about well-to-do, heavily Christian white families, but unfortunately, it was not very interesting to read about the Baxters.
On a purely personal note, I took a violent dislike to the family after one sister decides that what should go in the center of her dream collage is a picture of her parents dancing in the kitchen, because her highest goal in life was to have a marriage and family. Gah! That's just me, I know, but it really set my teeth on edge for the rest of the book, especially knowing that the first adult book about the Baxters involves the father having an affair and the mother refusing to divorce him. Not my truth.
December 27, 2024
Didn't finish. No plot. I lost count in the first few chapters how often it was mentioned that something was perfect or the desire to be perfect. If you want to read about a perfect family, you may like this book but it was not for me.
July 5, 2019
Cute book for kids.
July 12, 2019
I so enjoyed this book. It was fun to read about the Baxter kids growing up. I hope they write more of them!
March 12, 2020
This was so much fun to introduce my daughter to the Baxter family. We really enjoyed reading this together!
January 23, 2021
Read to my 3rd graders
December 20, 2022
Pretty good story with a very valuble lesson... your very best friends ARE the ones sitting around the dinner table!! ☺️☺️☺️
August 3, 2024
If I read it 4+ years ago, I would’ve enjoyed it way more… It is definitely written for a younger audience.
July 23, 2025
This is another book off of my classroom shelf that I read this summer. It's a good, clean book about a loving family and the trails they face together. It's a bit sappy (that's why I gave it 4 stars), but a nice read for a fourth to sixth grader.
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