Review by Booklist Review
Gr. 4-7. The dozen Rossos pile into the family van one August, forsaking hot, grimy, familiar New York for 15 acres in New Jersey and a rambling 100-year-old farmhouse. Named in alphabetical order by their model-of-efficiency mother, the children tell the story in the first person, one to a chapter, as their life in the country unfolds. For the children, life is fun and adventure filled, with every holiday generously celebrated, though their hearts' desire-to have a pet-meets with unequivocal resistance from Mom. They do manage a few four-footed or winged visitors, but all have a limited stay. It takes the unexpected news of baby number eleven before a deal is struck. Some sibling rivalry or a few temper tantrums would have added realistic depth to a tale that's heavy on the sweetness-harmony/everybody-plays-by-the-rules theme. Though they are not depicted as wealthy, the large family never seems to have money problems. The story may strike some as farfetched, but others will find it a quick, enjoyable read. PW. Family life-Fiction / Country life-Fiction [CIP] 87-25206
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
The unusual Rosso family moves from New York City to the country, and each of the 10 children adapts to the change differently. They are individuals, but they have one thing in commoneach wants a pet. How the family members interact with one another, how they adjust to the country, and how a pet becomes an inevitable addition to their home are the facets of this light, enjoyable book. At times there is too much telling and not enough showing of character traits, but the family as a whole is multidimensional and credible. The moods that accompany the seasons enable readers to share in the excitement, energy and caring that fills the Rosso home. Ages 8-12. (April) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 3-6 The ten Rosso children desperately want a pet, but their mother's firmest rule is ``No pets. Ten kids is enough.'' How they finally succeed makes for a somewhat predictable but good-natured story. One chapter is devoted to each child in the family, giving readers a brief and often telling insight into each character. It's refreshing to see a book in which siblings play more than a satellite role to a major character. While no one person is developed in depth, Martin does convey a good deal of information about the characters during their turn in the spotlight. The weakest character, Mr. Rosso, stays more or less in the background, while Mrs. Rosso is sketched through her children's comments. On-track dialogue and a realistic relationship among the siblings are enjoyable pluses. Great for read-alouds as well as a fine read-alone choice. Kathleen Brachmann, Highland Park Public Library, Ill. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A rarity in this era--a jolly story about a family with lots of kids. The ten Rossos have been named according to a system devised by their mother, using a book called What Shall We Name the Baby? and resulting in names like Eberhard, Gardenia, and even Dagwood. Though a benign parent, Mrs. Rosso has a system for almost everything, which keeps her family of 12 organized and functioning; but even when they move from a city apartment to the country, she is firm: ten kids are enough--there will be no pets. Nonetheless, as each child from Abigail (14) to Janthina (8) gets a chapter, a number of animals are welcomed and loved: the rabbit who arrives as the Halloween magician's prop; the Thanksgiving turkey purchased live and ultimately donated to a petting zoo; a nest of orphaned sparrows. But when Mom admits that an unexpected 11th baby is on the way, the kids have her: If she can have an extra, so can they; and, being a wise parent, Mom has to agree that fair is fair. There are so many kids here that we don't get a chance to know any of them well; and though the chapters are tied together by the year's cycle and the pet theme, the effect is episodic. But the Rossos are a lively, enjoyable family; middle-readers should breeze happily through their experiences. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
