Author: Betsy Byars
Title: The Not Just Anybody Family
Illustrator: Jacqueline Rogers
Publisher: Original Publisher
Year: 1986
Genre: Multicultural
Format: Hardcover
Reading Level: Independent
Interest level: elementary
Topics: learning about different types of families
Summary: This book helps celebrate the not so typical American families living within the mainstream of society. The Blossom's are a family that is anything but ordinary. Junior Blossom, a young boy certain that he can fly, stood with his arms outstreached on the roof. His brother and sister, Maggie and Vern, are encouraging him to jump. Junior is not the only Blossom with interesting hobbies. The Blossom's mother is a radeo trick rider, which makes her away from home quite often. While their mother is away, their grandpa lands himself in jail for dumping 2,147 soda and alcohol cans into the street. It is now up to Vern and Maggie to hold the family together.
Extension Activity: Tell stories about a time when your family was different from someone else's family. Make sure the students understand that not every one family is the same as another.
