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The Fitzgerald-Trouts #3
Shout Out for the Fitzgerald-Trouts
The third book in a Dahl-esque middle-grade series by award-winning poet and screenwriter Esta Spalding.
The plucky Fitzgerald-Trout siblings (who live on a tropical island where the grown-ups are useless but the kids can drive) are back! After losing the boat that had become their home, oldest Fitzgerald-Trout, Kim, has put finding a home back on her to-do list. When her sixth-grade history assignment offers a clue about the ruins of a volcanic house built by an explorer on Mount Muldoon, she and her siblings set out to find it.
The castle they discover surpasses their wildest dreams. But having a permanent home offers more challenges than the Fitzgerald-Trouts expect, especially when they begin to suspect their home is haunted. The siblings must figure out how to fix the cracks in their family foundation before one of them is lost for good.
The plucky Fitzgerald-Trout siblings (who live on a tropical island where the grown-ups are useless but the kids can drive) are back! After losing the boat that had become their home, oldest Fitzgerald-Trout, Kim, has put finding a home back on her to-do list. When her sixth-grade history assignment offers a clue about the ruins of a volcanic house built by an explorer on Mount Muldoon, she and her siblings set out to find it.
The castle they discover surpasses their wildest dreams. But having a permanent home offers more challenges than the Fitzgerald-Trouts expect, especially when they begin to suspect their home is haunted. The siblings must figure out how to fix the cracks in their family foundation before one of them is lost for good.
256 pages, Paperback
First published June 4, 2019
3 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 21, 2020
Another wonderful adventure with the Fitzgerald-Trouts! This time, the only thing threatening these plucky kiddos... is... secrets? At the beginning of this story, the Fitzgerald-Trout children seem to finally have found a permanent home. But less time crowded in a car together means more time apart. Soon, every one of them keeping a secret from each other, threatening to break the family apart - perhaps literally, as one strange woman in snakeskin pants starts to show great interest in the youngest Fitzgerald-Trout, Penny... Great fun, of course, and I love the new illustrator, Lee Gatlin, whose artwork is really zany and expressive, just like the stories.
April 16, 2019
Thank you to NetGalley and Tundra Books for an eARC of this upcoming middle grade book.
The Fitzgerald-Trout family is back for the third time, and it's possible they've finally found a home to call their own. But as the physical space between them increases, so does the emotional, and the siblings are so caught up in their own issues that they neglect to see what's happening with the others around them. It takes a major event to make them realize that life is better together than apart.
Fans of this series will enjoy the latest installment, and the heartwarming message.
The Fitzgerald-Trout family is back for the third time, and it's possible they've finally found a home to call their own. But as the physical space between them increases, so does the emotional, and the siblings are so caught up in their own issues that they neglect to see what's happening with the others around them. It takes a major event to make them realize that life is better together than apart.
Fans of this series will enjoy the latest installment, and the heartwarming message.
June 18, 2022
(read aloud) Ages after reading the first two books in the series, my daughter asked for us to read this together out of the blue. Later that day we visited a Free Little Library, and there it was. Kid looks in astonishment and asks "wait... is this a MAGIC little library?"
June 8, 2019
Huge thank you Penguin Canada for this ARC!
Have you ever read a series that just make you laugh so hard you cry? That's what I love about the Fitzgerald-Trout series. The Fitzgerald-Trout kids are just so charming and lovable, and they get into some interesting mischief. This particular installment involved a baby, a crazy lady who sells baby products, and what it means to be homeless.
I swear this series is up there with the Penderwicks. It just has such a fantastic balance of humour and heart, and it's hard not to love all the characters in the story. Kimo continues to be my absolutely favourite, because anything that boy does is pure comedy gold. He also just has such a sweet heart and he means so well in everything he does. Sometimes, I just want to read a series that makes me feel good about the world and this one does it.
What I love about The Fitzgerald-Trout series is that it is full of heart, and it makes you feel so good. This series is such a quick read and so engrossing given how comedic and kind it is. Sometimes you need a light-hearted series to remind you that the world can be a good and gentle place, and every time I read this series it just gives me the warm and fuzzies. I cannot wait to see if this series will continue because I am going to miss the Fitzgerald-Trout kids if they don't have another adventure soon!
Have you ever read a series that just make you laugh so hard you cry? That's what I love about the Fitzgerald-Trout series. The Fitzgerald-Trout kids are just so charming and lovable, and they get into some interesting mischief. This particular installment involved a baby, a crazy lady who sells baby products, and what it means to be homeless.
I swear this series is up there with the Penderwicks. It just has such a fantastic balance of humour and heart, and it's hard not to love all the characters in the story. Kimo continues to be my absolutely favourite, because anything that boy does is pure comedy gold. He also just has such a sweet heart and he means so well in everything he does. Sometimes, I just want to read a series that makes me feel good about the world and this one does it.
What I love about The Fitzgerald-Trout series is that it is full of heart, and it makes you feel so good. This series is such a quick read and so engrossing given how comedic and kind it is. Sometimes you need a light-hearted series to remind you that the world can be a good and gentle place, and every time I read this series it just gives me the warm and fuzzies. I cannot wait to see if this series will continue because I am going to miss the Fitzgerald-Trout kids if they don't have another adventure soon!
April 25, 2019
They've done it again! With their trusty little green car, flashlights and Goldie's great advice, the kids are on the go exploring their island and finding more than they bargained for!
This is the third book I've read in the Fitzgerald-Trout series and I can't help but admire how these little guys manage to stay together as a family, attend school and solve mysteries at the same time.
Now that they are five (plus Goldie the goldfish) they are growing out of their little rickety car. Finding a home for all of them is high on Kim's to-do list and she's found them their very own mossy castle. But with more space, comes independence. And secrets. There are display shelves. There are weird tracks in the mud and strange noises at night. Did I mention baby food in a jar? How can that be scary?
Although this is a middle grade book, you'll be drawn into a whirlwind that threatens to break up their family. Plenty of humour, self-reflection and common sense are thrown in for good measure.
A wonderful series and great summer reads for both young people and adults alike. Have fun with the Fitzgerald-Trouts!
This is the third book I've read in the Fitzgerald-Trout series and I can't help but admire how these little guys manage to stay together as a family, attend school and solve mysteries at the same time.
Now that they are five (plus Goldie the goldfish) they are growing out of their little rickety car. Finding a home for all of them is high on Kim's to-do list and she's found them their very own mossy castle. But with more space, comes independence. And secrets. There are display shelves. There are weird tracks in the mud and strange noises at night. Did I mention baby food in a jar? How can that be scary?
Although this is a middle grade book, you'll be drawn into a whirlwind that threatens to break up their family. Plenty of humour, self-reflection and common sense are thrown in for good measure.
A wonderful series and great summer reads for both young people and adults alike. Have fun with the Fitzgerald-Trouts!
September 25, 2022
I received a finished of this from the publishers as a win from LibraryThing. I usually love books for children. But it rubbed me the wrong way, the illustrations are great and the story is clever, but I had not read the first book in the series. The children were loveable and smart but I felt so terrible for them, the five children and the fish named Goldie! The evil people were the children's parents and Clarice wanted to make money of the baby for for her baby product company. Adults never showed their love or shoulder responsibility. The children were left to fend for themselves for everything, including food and shelter. I got very angry at the book!
July 4, 2019
Loved this book! Another romp with the five Fitzgerald-Trout kids, who have to take care of themselves because their parents are so terrible. Once again Kim, Kimo, Pippa, Toby and Penny stole my heart with their witty observations and their madcap adventures. The writing strikes a beautiful balance between light-hearted fun and the kind of deeper thoughtfulness that my kids love -- it's a hilarious story that takes kids seriously, and lets their feelings matter. It really digs down into what truly makes a family and what it really means to be home.
June 5, 2019
Another fantastic entry into the Fitzgerald-Trouts series. As their family grows, they find that a car is no longer the perfect home, but sometimes getting what you want asks for more than you're willing to give. Spalding explores the idea of home and family in this quick read that will engage many young readers.
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy.
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy.
December 27, 2022
I was in need of something on the lighter side to break up my usual procession of heavy subjects. While this book may be aimed at a young audience I thoroughly enjoyed it. And I appreciated it from a writer's perspective as well, with its tight coupling of character and plot. If you have a young person in your life (I'd say upper elementary/middle school) consider getting them a copy as a gift... and one for yourself!
August 22, 2019
Being part of a family can be challenging - in the best of times. The Fitzgerald-Trouts have each other, until they don't and it takes a while to notice and realize what is truly important.
A fun reminder to share all the parts being in family - the celebrations, the challenges, the problems and the doubts.
A fun reminder to share all the parts being in family - the celebrations, the challenges, the problems and the doubts.
October 22, 2019
Similar in style to A Series of Unfortunate Events, the Fitzgerald Trouts are still living on their own with no adults and working on finding a permanent home. Kids will love reading about others their age who can drive cars, outsmart adults, have adventures, and even solve a ghostly mystery or two!
*I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.*
*I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.*
September 6, 2019
Thank you to Penguin Canada for the chance to read this wonderful book for the tween age group. My granddaughter is excited about getting to read it.
March 26, 2021
Excellent read aloud. Funny, heart-warming. Great story about family, relationships, budding independence and community. My second favorite of the Fitzgerald-trout trilogy adventures.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews