Family Week

Family Week follows Mac, Lina, Milo, and Avery who have celebrated Family Week in Provincetown, Massachusetts since they were young. This year there are so many changes that await them though so things feel different in their rented beach house. Avery’s dads are getting a divorce, and there’s a baby on the way. Milo didn’t pass seventh grade, so he feels that everyone is moving on to bigger and better things. Mac has been accepted to an amazing and progressive boarding school that is going to let him play soccer, but this means he is leaving his twin sister, Lina, and his moms behind at home. Lina feels like all these changes are happening regardless of how she feels. Avery, Mac, and Milo know that this is going to be their last summer together but Lina thinks differently. Lina has set out to prove to her friends that this is the best summer and good things last in Provincetown even if they don’t back at home.

What I Liked: This book is told in the third person and follows the story of Mac, Lina, Milo, and Avery who are navigating various changes in their lives. This story first goes through introduces you to each of the characters as they make their way to Provincetown before starting family week and sharing their experiences while there. We first get to meet Lina and Mac who are twins, this portion is told through Lina’s perspective as she struggles with the idea that her brother is moving away. You get to see her innermost feelings about this and follow along during the moment in which she finds this information out. The story then shows you what is happening in Avery’s life as her dads are getting a divorce and trying to keep this a secret from the other families at family week, then it shifts over to share with you Milo’s story and how he wants to ensure his mom doesn’t let the others know about him not passing seventh grade.

Throughout the time that the four friends are at Provincetown you get to see the various ways their home lives are impacting the relationships that they have with one another. Through this, you also get to see as they navigate their feelings and the negative effects that their actions have on one another. Each of the characters learns how to express themselves in various ways such as Avery expressing her feelings through a drag performance. Through the challenges that each of them face they learn the importance of not shutting others out and speaking their truth to solve problems.


Final Verdict: Family Week is a heartwarming book that shows the complexity of being a family and keeping secrets. Children ages 8 and up will enjoy seeing their struggles reflected in the four characters and will learn how to navigate complex feelings with the help of others. This is a perfect book for those who are looking for something to read during spring break or as we prepare for the summer season.