The young Bellweathers–fourteen-year-old Spider, thirteen-year-old Ninda, and the ten-year-old triplets, Brick, Spike, and Sassy–and th...
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reviews
Feb 24, 2011
Miss Pippi
rated it: 
If you could create your own village with eccentric individuals, what kind a name would you give your town? Author Kristin Clark Venuti gave her imaginative city the memorable name of Eel-Smack-by-the-Bay. Her humorously dubbed village grabbed my attention right away. A grin would stretch across my face at every mention of Eel-Smack-by-the-Bay during Michael Page's rendition of Leaving the Bellweathers.
Beyond the clever town title, Ms. Venuti, weaves a wonderful tale about the life o More...
Beyond the clever town title, Ms. Venuti, weaves a wonderful tale about the life o More...
Nov 04, 2010
Jennifer
rated it:
Reviewed by Lauren Ashley for TeensReadToo.com
The Bellweathers are a kooky family with wild, extravagant habits and interests.
The father is an inventor who hates noise (yet the house is full of it). The mother is obsessed with painting and re-painting the lighthouse they live in. Spider hates the sunlight and loves crazy animals. Ninda is someone who wants to Do Good and Help the Downtrodden. And, finally, you have the artistic, yet insane, triplets: Spike, Brick, and Sas More...
The Bellweathers are a kooky family with wild, extravagant habits and interests.
The father is an inventor who hates noise (yet the house is full of it). The mother is obsessed with painting and re-painting the lighthouse they live in. Spider hates the sunlight and loves crazy animals. Ninda is someone who wants to Do Good and Help the Downtrodden. And, finally, you have the artistic, yet insane, triplets: Spike, Brick, and Sas More...
Jul 30, 2010
Alison
rated it: 
A fun read that would make a great family movie!
I had been wanting to read Leaving the Bellweathers for a while, but moved it to the top of my reading pile when I learned that Kristin Clark Venuti's sequel, The Butler Gets a Break, was coming out. I can't read the sequel if I haven't read the original! The cover hooked me, the characters were quirky and funny, and the storyline simple and fun.
The Bellweathers' butler, Tristan Benway, has been serving them, and their anc More...
I had been wanting to read Leaving the Bellweathers for a while, but moved it to the top of my reading pile when I learned that Kristin Clark Venuti's sequel, The Butler Gets a Break, was coming out. I can't read the sequel if I haven't read the original! The cover hooked me, the characters were quirky and funny, and the storyline simple and fun.
The Bellweathers' butler, Tristan Benway, has been serving them, and their anc More...
Oct 01, 2009
Michelle
rated it:
Leaving the Bellweathers is an imaginative and fun ride through the eccentric lives of the Bellweather family and their butler Benway. Entertaining and humorous throughout it will undoubtedly keep the attention of any middle-grader.
Venuti did a wonderful job of creating characters with individuality — each was spirited in a odd but completely relatable way. The children in particular were socially conscious (though not as one would suspect) and well rounded in their beliefs. Educa More...
Venuti did a wonderful job of creating characters with individuality — each was spirited in a odd but completely relatable way. The children in particular were socially conscious (though not as one would suspect) and well rounded in their beliefs. Educa More...
Jul 29, 2009
Sarah
rated it:
I thought this was a fun read for the older grade school crowd. Middle school students would like it, too.
The story alternates between journal entries by the loyal butler Benway (in service because of a 200 year old oath of fealty from an ancestor that's about to end) and a traditional story. Benway is ready to be done with the insanity that is the Bellweather household and decides to write a tell-all book. Between an eccentric inventor father, constantly painting mother, dangerous More...
The story alternates between journal entries by the loyal butler Benway (in service because of a 200 year old oath of fealty from an ancestor that's about to end) and a traditional story. Benway is ready to be done with the insanity that is the Bellweather household and decides to write a tell-all book. Between an eccentric inventor father, constantly painting mother, dangerous More...
Nov 29, 2009
Sandra
rated it:
Tristan Benway is the victim of an ancestors pledge that he and his decendants will serve teh Bellweathers for two centuries. Benway has been counting down the time he has left. He has also been writing a Tell All book about his adventures or misadventures, depending on how you wish to look at it. He thinks about the challenges ahead for his replacement. He knows that whoever steps into his shoes will have their hands full with this family. First there are the three mischievious triplets. They s
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Jun 02, 2010
Elizabeth
rated it: 
With the possible exception of the screaming triplets, this was a joy to listen to. Told in a mixture of first person (diary entries of the long suffering butler to the eccentric Bellweather family) and third person (details of the family's exploits), it's hilarious from start to finish. Butler Tristan Benway is determined to leave the family as soon as his family's oath of fealty ends, as he feels under-appreciated and taken for granted by the family. In order to support himself when his employ
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Sep 20, 2009
Steph Su
rated it:
LEAVING THE BELLWEATHERS advertises itself as a middle-grade novel, but it’s great because of its ageless appeal. Young readers will not tire of the Bellweathers’ endless antics, while older readers will chuckle in appreciation of the more cultivated “potty humor” abundant throughout the pages.
Venuti creates caricatures of eccentric people, but we’re still able to care for them and not simply write them off as ridiculous. I love all of the Bellweather children, with their destructive More...
Venuti creates caricatures of eccentric people, but we’re still able to care for them and not simply write them off as ridiculous. I love all of the Bellweather children, with their destructive More...
Feb 26, 2010
Tina
rated it:
MG, the misadventures of a delightfully eccentric family. Described elsewhere as Addams Family meets Cheaper By the Dozen, or Edward Gorey for kids, both of which are pretty accurate.
I was turned off initially by the marketing on the book, thinking it was trying too hard and would disappoint me (exactly how I felt about The Guernsey Literary Potato Peel Pie Society, which I loved.)
But then, I did love it.
I have a big huge enormous fondness for MG books with More...
I was turned off initially by the marketing on the book, thinking it was trying too hard and would disappoint me (exactly how I felt about The Guernsey Literary Potato Peel Pie Society, which I loved.)
But then, I did love it.
I have a big huge enormous fondness for MG books with More...
Dec 04, 2011
Hannah
rated it:
In exactly 8 weeks, 2 hours, and 27 minutes, Benway will be free of the 200-year-old Oath of Fealty that has kept him a loyal butler to the eccentric Bellweather family for many years. But a lot can happen in 8 weeks where the Bellweather family is concerned. The nine-year-old triplets, who shiver with delight whenever the word "detonate" is mentioned, plan a massive art heist; Spider adopts an Endangered Albino Alligator; and Ninda's outdoor bagpipe practice leads to all sorts of cala
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May 04, 2010
M.
rated it:
The Bellweathers are a family living in a lighthouse (presumably nonfunctional). Dad is the original absent minded inventor, Mom is a painter (of walls), and the kids all have outrageous hobbies and interests. The book is written from the perspective of their butler, who has only a few weeks left under his employment contract, and he's writing a tell-all book about the family so he can retire to someplace warm and quiet. In his observations of and interaction with the various family members,
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Jan 23, 2010
Jess
rated it:
A fun and off-beat story full of improbable characters and storylines, wordplay, endangered animals, eccentric parents, crazy triplets, an oath of fealty - you get the idea. It's become a cliched comparison to say that it reminds you of Lemony Snicket, but it's such a quick way to get the point across - the quirkiness, the wordplay, the narrative style - it's definitely in that vein. While I didn't necessarily find it a satisfying story, there's no reason it shouldn't appeal to kids who want s
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Jan 15, 2010
Susan
rated it: 
My kids really enjoy audio books. I thought this would be interesting due to the subject - Mary Poppins with a modern twist - especially as the family included triplets. The narrator jumping back & forth between 1st & 3rd person was irritating. I'm not sure if this happens in the print version, but it made listening confusing.
The triplets "whispered because of course they were up to no good," has become a favorite quote at our house.
While the story was int More...
The triplets "whispered because of course they were up to no good," has become a favorite quote at our house.
While the story was int More...
May 09, 2011
Alison
rated it:
A fun read that would make a great family movie!
I had been wanting to read Leaving the Bellweathers for a while, but moved it to the top of my reading pile when I learned that Kristin Clark Venuti's sequel, The Butler Gets a Break, was coming out. I can't read the sequel if I haven't read the original! The cover hooked me, the characters were quirky and funny, and the storyline simple and fun.
The Bellweathers' butler, Tristan Benway, has been serving them, and their anc More...
I had been wanting to read Leaving the Bellweathers for a while, but moved it to the top of my reading pile when I learned that Kristin Clark Venuti's sequel, The Butler Gets a Break, was coming out. I can't read the sequel if I haven't read the original! The cover hooked me, the characters were quirky and funny, and the storyline simple and fun.
The Bellweathers' butler, Tristan Benway, has been serving them, and their anc More...
Jan 15, 2011
Temoca
rated it:
The Bellweathers are sucha zany family, but their loyal butler, Benway has a soft spot for them even if they drive him to make plans to leave their service. I enjoyed the antics of all the characters once I got about 20 pages into the story. There's a lot going on in this short text so you have to keep up. I can sympathize with Benway being tired running after this family:)
Looking from a teacher perspective, I think this book would be great in showing kids point of view and make pre More...
Looking from a teacher perspective, I think this book would be great in showing kids point of view and make pre More...
Sep 01, 2011
melissa1lbr
rated it:
Things I Liked:
This was a sweet, quirky, awesomely crazy middle grade read. I adore the Bellweather family, complete with evil up-to-no-good whispering triplets, saving humanity sister, and endangered-dangerous-animal-lover brother. This book inspired much laughter and made me want to be a kid again so I could love it properly. A delightful romp that will make you think your family is very normal, even if the butler doesn't think so.
Things I Didn't Like:
You know, I'm jus More...
This was a sweet, quirky, awesomely crazy middle grade read. I adore the Bellweather family, complete with evil up-to-no-good whispering triplets, saving humanity sister, and endangered-dangerous-animal-lover brother. This book inspired much laughter and made me want to be a kid again so I could love it properly. A delightful romp that will make you think your family is very normal, even if the butler doesn't think so.
Things I Didn't Like:
You know, I'm jus More...
Jun 23, 2010
Kristin
rated it:
Told from the perspective of the butler, Benway, this is a tell-all book of Benway’s life with the Bellweathers. They are a crazy, nightmarish family to work for with five loud and destructive children and quirky parents. He is counting down the days until his time serving and cleaning up after them is done. Enjoy the craziness of this family and be thankful YOU don’t live with them.
Dec 07, 2010
Funnycows
rated it:
Omigoodness. This book is incredibly creative, and fun loving. I know the author, and my name is in the book!!!! I don't know why . . . it's Lillian. But, I had so much fun reading the book. Who knew you could keep an alligator in your basement?
Dec 04, 2009
Pat
rated it:
A quirky read. It's light and geared for jr. high age. It's like the Adams Family meets Matilda.
I've finished and I'm not sure what to think. The premise is fun and delightful but it's hard to connect with the characters. Something is missing though I can't tell you what.
I've finished and I'm not sure what to think. The premise is fun and delightful but it's hard to connect with the characters. Something is missing though I can't tell you what.
Sep 28, 2009
Margaret
rated it:
Loved it! The Bellweathers (and their improbable adventures) are out there -- and as the author says, they know who they are.
I'm a long way from the target audience age, but I was mesmerized, and gulped it down in one reading.
I'm a long way from the target audience age, but I was mesmerized, and gulped it down in one reading.
Oct 13, 2009
"Edward Gorey for young readers". I'm so there. Oh wait, there's a tagline on the book: “The Addams Family meets Cheaper by the Dozen in this hilarious first novel.” Could it be more in my zone?
Jan 30, 2010
seriously, why do editors NOT fix verb tense agreement issues on this scale. Crankily walking away from this one. Maybe fans of Polly Horvath who aren't grammar nerds might enjoy.
Dec 15, 2009
Lisa
rated it:
Fans of A Series of Unfortunate Events might enjoy this book, but I found it a bit tiresome. Perhaps my response was colored by the dry British butler voice of the audio.
Dec 06, 2011
Kara
rated it:
Super-cute but not in a girly-princess kind of way, more of a quirky characters who are individuals kind of way. It was fun to listen to with my boys.
Nov 21, 2010
Lisa
rated it:
The Bellweathers were fairly well-developed characters and interesting but not the butler, Tristan Benway, from whose point of view alot of this story is told from. Clunky and unconvincing.
Jan 19, 2010
Bridget R.
rated it:
I read the first few chapters and liked what I read. The book has the same kind of humor as Polly Horvath's books. I just wasn't in the mood to finish it.
Sep 02, 2011
Bayla
rated it:
A very cute, silly little book. I would recommend for early chapter book readers -- maybe 7-9 year olds, depending on their reading level.
Aug 29, 2010
Lisa
rated it:
Every once in a while I have to read a book written primarily for children. It clears my head. This one got my attention by the very Edward Gorey illustrations on the cover and the kooky premise.
Jan 09, 2011
Heather
rated it:
Predictable, but funny. What a bizarre family! That poor butler. I will be interested to see if things change at all in the sequel.
May 27, 2010
Sharidan
rated it:
OMG! Superb!! It is probably a book for older kids. Both genders would get a kick out of it! I loved this book!
