Frenemies in the Family: Famous Brothers and Sisters Who Butted Heads and Had Each Other's Backs

by Kathleen Krull, Maple Lam (Illustrator)

One minute you can't live without them . . . the next minute you don't want them breathing your air! Siblings everywhere will relate to this humorous look at famous brothers and sisters whose important bonds have shaped their accomplishments . . . (mostly) for the better.

They blame you when they get in trouble. They seem like your parents' favorite. They are the only enemy you can't live without. Almost everyone has a juicy story about their siblings--even famous people. Meet those who got along, those who didn't, and everyone in between!


Oh, brother! This could get ugly. . . .

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Middle Grade, History, Childrens, Family, Humor

240 pages, Hardcover

First published March 13, 2018

Reviews

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book shows off 15, mostly living, famous siblings and the challenged they each faced in their own life as well as their siblings' life.
The book offers great tidbits through out including new vocabulary words (like necronym and siblicide), historical asides, and potential topic discussions.

Siblings include Queen Elizabeth the First and Mary, Queen of Scots (Bloody Mary), Chang and Eng the 'Siamese Twins', Edwin and John Wilkes Booth (that one is really interesting for anyone who knows anything about them), Vincent and Theo Van Gogh, Wilbur and Orville Wright, Walt and Roy Disney, The Romanovs, The Kennedy's, the Jacksons (as in the Jackson 9, then Jackson 5, then...), Stephen Colbert and his 10 older siblings, Peyton and Eli Manning, Demi Lovato and Madison De la Garza, the 8 Gosselin Siblings, Serena and Venus Williams, and Prince William and Harry....

The bum part about this book is that it will become dated factually sooner than later (esp. with where the info stops about William and Harry (William has just married Kate)...But otherwise, its a real cool insight, and great read for those with siblings or who want to look into history OR for those who want to check out some deeper inner stories of their favorite celebrities.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Krull, Kathleen Frenemies in the Family: Famous Brothers and Sisters Who Butted Heads and Had Each Other’s Backs, 220 pages. Illustrated by Maple Lam. NON-FICTION Crown (Random House), 2018. Content: Language: PG (1 swear); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG.

Fifteen different siblings and their stories of bonding and rivalry are covered in the chapters of this fun read. Each family has a biography that concentrates on why they are famous and how as siblings they worked together or against each other. Some of the siblings discussed include Peyton and Eli Manning; the Wright brothers; the Disney brothers; the Romanovs; Queen Elizabeth and Bloody Mary and the Siamese Bunkers twins.

I loved this book because it made me laugh and it was full of fascinating gossipy type facts. Each chapter has illustrations and a short comic strip that summarizes the story. It’s a fast read with entertaining stories throughout.

EL, MS – ESSENTIAL. Reviewer, C. Peterson.
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...

[Susan Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun and interesting read. (Library)

[Bruce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable read. Doesn't give a great deal of information on each family, but does give a good overview and introduction to some very interesting families. Excellent for younger readers/siblings.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

No one is better than Kathleen Krull at unearthing interesting--and sometimes funny--facts about her subjects. She has the unique gift of somehow distilling the essence of each individual so that readers come away from her books feeling as though they really know each one, even if he/she is long gone. Here, she has the clever notion of looking at famous siblings. At first I thought she'd feature a brother and a sister or two brothers or two sisters, but in addition to doing that, she also introduces readers to larger families such as the Romanovs and the Kennedys. The book is organized in chronological fashion, starting with Queen Elizabeth I and Mary I and concluding with reality television stars, the Gosselins. In its pages, readers learn about each sibling's formative years and claim to fame, and while Krull includes material that shows her subjects in a positive light, she also doesn't stint on dishing out some of the less complimentary anecdotes about them. After all, just because someone is related to someone doesn't mean that they always get along. This very understanding underlies the entire book, making all of the men and women featured here easy to relate to. Her choices are interesting too, partly because some of the siblings are just so different from each other, and also because some of them are individuals that have not received much attention. Readers will be intrigued by the lives of Chang and Eng Bunker, cojoined twins who married different women and had several children, Vincent and Theo van Gogh, devoted brothers who couldn't bear to part but also frustrated each other, and Edwin and John Wilkes Booth, who had very different views on slavery and the Civil War. While I wasn't particularly enamored with the emphasis on so many modern individuals, many young readers will be drawn to the book because of that inclusion, thrilled to know more about musician Demi Lovato and her sister Madison De La Garza or NFL stars Peyton and Eli Manning. The cartoon drawings and panels that accompany the brief biographical sketches add to the book's appeal, and there is a list of sources and an index for reference. Although I already knew much of what was included in this book, the author's voice is so distinct and almost gossipy as she shares these insider stories that I found myself riveted to its pages. No doubt this one will be a hit with young readers, as it should be.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frenemies in the Family is a work that collects notable sibling stories through the ages, all the way up to our present time. Such notable figures featured in this are the Tudors Queens, Gosselins, Lovatos, Mannings, Williams, the Jacksons, and much more. And as the title suggests, we get a look inside the family dynamics of these siblings as they grew up together. Some of the stories are very heartwarming (Serena & Venus, Eli & Peyton, Walt & Roy) and others that are just tragic (Elizabeth & Mary, John & Edwin, and the Romanovs) for better or worse. After each section speaking about the relationships, Krull introduces the readers to some small facts related to the theme of the siblings they speak of (i.e. conjoined twins, extreme rivalry, big families, psychology, etc.).

The narrative is straight-forward and detailed, while humorous to an extent at times. In which, for certain figures, we get some interesting tidbits about themselves that usually don't get mentioned in other biographies. Krull really shows her research on these relationships, using multiple ranges of sources for each figure. And Maple Lam's illustrations are smooth and lively in its cartoonish style of portraying the activities of the individuals. Overall, it is an informative look into seeing the touching, or sometimes dysfunctional, lives between famous brothers & sisters. Just goes to show that some things don't change with time, and that includes sibling bonds.

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book because of the cover which mentioned Stephen Colbert, in its collection of stories about siblings. Kathleen Krull's stories are always about the unusual human interest aspects of her characters, not the boring facts. This collection didn't disappoint. Who knew that funny man Stephen Colbert suffered a tragic experience when he was a 10-year-old, yet he's funny because his humor comes directly from the Colbert brand of humor developed around the dinner table. My favorite story is about Chang and Eng Bunker, Siamese twins who lived over 200 years ago. Because of their ability to compromise and work as a team, they led very successful and happy lives. These sibling stories are wonderfully entertaining and will appeal to the reluctant reading crowd as well, with their cartoonish illustrations by Maple Lam, and the graphic novel panels at the end of each story, about the famous siblings. If you're a sibling you will find lot's of funny moments you might have shared with your own siblings in these stories.

[Kate Schwarz · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a neat nonfiction middle grade book!

Here's a book about siblings for readers with a good hook--many of the siblings in this book didn't get along. Their competitive relationship affected their lives in, usually, pretty colorful ways. But there were more good stories than bad; most of the siblings respected and worked with each other, supported each other's dreams.

Krull covers a wide variety of siblings from history, but then discusses a handful of present-day siblings: Queen Elizabeth I and Mary I (Bloody Mary...this was the goriest one and might make some parents argue it's closer to YA than MG), Vincent and Theo Van Gogh, the Jackson 5, the Kennedys, the Manning brothers, Venus and Serena Williams, Demi and Madison Lavato.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

From Queens Elizabeth and Mary I to the Gosselin siblings, this ode to siblinghood offers a kid-friendly blend of history and pop culture, sharing the stories of famous siblings and how they supported or thwarted each other's rise to fame. I especially liked the graphic elements at the end of each bite-sized chapter. I also had no idea that Stephen Colbert has ten older siblings or that Vincent van Gogh's art dealer brother supported him, so this book is full of juicy details on famous people's childhoods.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is chock full of interesting facts about famous siblings who both loved each other and hated each other. Most were about supportive siblings. After each chapter there is a series of cartoons where you learn more about the siblings. I liked that it could be read in chunks and that it is an accessible read. I think students who love to learn about history would enjoy this read. Some siblings had a naughty side so there is brief mentions of killing others, drinking and sometimes making bad choices but all is upper elementary age appropriate. 4th grade and up.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mix of biographies focusing on sibling relationships. Kind of a random mix of families - it starts with Queens Elizabeth and Mary Tudor, and ends with the Gosselins, with the Wright brothers, the Colbert family, and more in the middle - but it was a fun read. Written in an informal but engaging style, with cartoon illustrations throughout, I think this would appeal to upper-elementary and middle-school readers.

[Sierra · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a very funny, very realistic book with multiple stories of famous people and there siblings hardships, like bloody Mary and queen Elizabeth, and Demi Lovato and her younger sister. I could relate to some of the celebrities struggles. I would strongly recommend it to anyone who likes an entertaining and non fiction mix.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

SO much fun! I've been reading this slowly, picking it up between other books and have loved it. No one is better than Kathleen Krull at these fun historical facts presented in a kid-pleasing breezy style.

Quite an eclectic collection of siblings here from Queens Elizabeth and Mary to the Romanoffs, Stephen Colbert and his 10 older siblings and the Williams sisters.

Terrific fun!

[L-J Johnson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another upper middle-schooler nonfiction but not near as enjoyable as my previous time travelers in ancient Greece one. There are profiles of about a dozen or more famous siblings pairs or groups but the stories felt repetitive and the author didn't do enough to differentiate the stories. Perhaps it could have used a dose of snarky fun to relieve the sameness.

[Melinda Brasher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really interesting, with a light and breezy style. I love books like this, where you learn enough about each person to pique your interest, but not so much that it feels like a slog.

The pictures were a fun addition, as were the little comic-book style extra facts at the end of each chapter.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Realistic look at famous siblings and their relationships - good, bad and ugly. Krull presents information from siblings throughout history. The graphic illustrations at the end of each chapter provide further information in a quick to digest manner.

[Heidi Burkhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely delightful and very amusing read! Krull has done it again - another wonderful non-fiction book, this one about famous siblings, which is entertaining and informative. Many quirky facts have been unearthed to make this book such a delight!

[Celeste · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an entertaining read. Each chapter is a short telling of an infamous sibling rivalry. Interesting and funny facts about the siblings as well as a break down with graphics at the end of each chapter.

[Nupur · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is informative and delightful, a gossipy series of essays on famous sibling sets. Found it in the kid section of our public library and thought it would be a fun read, which it was. It covers everyone from royalty, presidents, sports figures right down to the Gosselins.

[Grace Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well-written, upbeat book. Personally, I think it glossed over more of the issues the siblings have had with each other, but it is written for young people, so it is more positive. I enjoyed learning a little more history.

[Jonathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book to be enjoyable I just think it would be a little difficult to read for anyone below middle school. Some interesting tales I was unfamiliar with and a good mix of current and historical rivalries.

[Rabbit · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really good because it covered all famous siblings. Hilarious! I think anyone who likes a funny and hilarious book would love this book!

[pati · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting look at various sibling sets over time.

[Vanessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Learned about many siblings who fought and who helped each other. fun.

[Clarissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the sibling sets were more interesting than others, but the section on Chang and Eng Bunker was fascinating, and shocking to me.

[Kathy Sheehan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wright brothers, Manning brothers, Williams sisters, Demi Lovato & sis, plus more. Great!

[Suebee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I and my 7 year old son enjoyed this book, but I was puzzled at the inclusion of the Gosselin sisters.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun and informative

[Tressa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read the eBook version. Very much in the spirit and writing style of the author’s other titles. This a good book for kids who have siblings.

[Deborah Garity McDaniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun Read

Quick fun read! I always enjoy biographies, these short stories were quirky and interesting. Easy when I only had a few minutes at a time.