Ten-year-old Rupert Brown wants to grow up to become someone special so he can help his family. His family is so poor Rupert doesn’t own a coat and he sleeps under the bed with his brothers. But then, quite unexpectedly on Christmas Day, Rupert finds himself at Turgid River’s house, the richest boy in the whole town- where he discovers a whole new world. They play many games, and Rupert ends up losing all his new goods. Each member of the River’s feels guilty about it, and unbeknownst to each other try to make it up to Rupert in their own special way. Each adventure brings Rupert closer to understanding his family and himself in this magical and darkly funny story.
The Good
Rupert is a responsible boy that helps out his family, however criticizing they may be. He also helps out all the Rivers learn about their true self and what they were really meant to do, without realizing it.
The Bad
Uncle Henry tries to steal people’s wallets order to buy funnel cakes. The characters time travel to different places, where they see Rupert’s parents while they were dating. Rupert gets kidnapped and then released. Cook electrically shocks Rupert from the River’s fence. Rupert’s father rummages through trash cans to find food.
Ages
This book is a great read aloud. Ages 7+ should read this book.
My Take
I didn’t really want to read this book, but I tried it and surprisingly liked it. Polly Horvath’s books are hilarious. Just because it’s a bit about Christmas doesn’t mean it’s a Christmassy book. It’s a really good book for all ages. My mom read it aloud to me and my siblings, and we were laughing so hard!
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Review by Kaitlyn