I'm not quite sure how to describe this book. It wasn't a fantasy but it reminded me of Mary Poppins as there were things that were not believable. Time travel and people floating after eating a salad, things like that. I enjoyed the book, but it was a bit on the sad side. At one point I just really wanted the poor kid to get some food!! It was entertaining, but I didn't love the messages in the book, the people for the most part all seemed really selfish and there didn't really seem to be any redemption in the end. For example here is one quote from the book: "Maybe bad behaviour is only what we think other people are going to think. Maybe there is no absolute. Maybe we worry that we are doing things wrong when they're not wrong at all. I feel like the whole universe is much looser, more spacious and open-ended than we knew. Oh, Rupert, I like everything so much better now! I was selfish, going ahead and doing what I wanted and the world didn't end. Instead I'm happy!" I'm not saying that it isn't okay to do things for yourself but I just felt there wasn't a lot of selflessness in the book.
There were 8 instances of blasphemy. I did find this book quite entertaining but I would recommend it as a read aloud book, that way you can discuss some of the themes in the book. ( )

Rupert Brown's family is extremely large and extremely poor (think: a cross between the Bucket family and the Herdmans). When Rupert accidentally finds himself spending Christmas Day with Turgid Rivers, one of the wealthiest kids in town, little does he know how his life will change over the next few months.

There's a good bit of quirkiness in this story, which readers familiar with Horvath will recognize as characteristic of her writing style. It makes for a fun, episodic story, but I never felt like it all came together. It's a fairly quick read, but there's an underlying grimness below all of that quirk that is not much alleviated at the end of the book. Kids who like Roald Dahl and Lemony Snicket might enjoy this, but all in all, I don't really recommend it. ( )

Very Rich follows young Rupert who comes from a very poor family of ten siblings. In his home it is very rare to have enough food on the table and space to sleep is a luxury. When he gets invited a a friend's house for Christmas he finds a room packed with as much food as he could want and presents that he could win to bring home to his family, if he wins the game. Sadly, he loses it all and comes home with nothing. So, secretly the family members come up with ways to make up for his loss which only helps him come to an understanding about himself and his own family. This book is a story of loss and hopelessness mixed with funny and endearing moments. ( )

This book consist of two worlds of 10 year old boys. One boy lives in an overcrowded home where they don't celebrate holidays and food is not always available. When Rupert, thin and hungry falls into the life with the Rivers. Adventure ensues in this quirky novel. Ages 9-12. ( )

I really enjoyed this story. I was not expecting such a fantastical plot but it worked. It kept me wondering what was going to happen next. I did feel bad though that Rupert kept having his meals taken away. I didn't really like the ending either when everyone seemed to disappear. I would love to read another book that continues the story. ( )