Quirky Family Adventures for Fans of The Addams Family
The Addams family, created by cartoonist Charles Addams in 1937 and popularized by the eponymous 1960s television show, have had many iterations and spinoffs, most recently in two animated films: The Addams Family and The Addams Family 2 . If you enjoy the antics of this macabre and eccentric family, you may enjoy these stories, aimed at middle grade readers, of other quirky family adventures.
The Problim Children by Natalie Lloyd
Seven siblings are forced by the destruction of their swamp home to move into their grandpa's mansion, but greedy neighbors plot to steal their secrets and place them in homes far away from each other.
The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding by Alexandra Bracken
A modern New England boy must rid himself of the ancient demon inhabiting his body and break his family's curse.
Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston
Amari Peters has never stopped believing her missing brother, Quinton, is alive. Not even when the police told her otherwise, or when she got in trouble for standing up to bullies who said he was gone for good. So when she finds a ticking briefcase in his closet, containing a nomination for a summer tryout at the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs, she's certain the secretive organization holds the key to locating Quinton'if only she can wrap her head around the idea of magicians, fairies, aliens, and other supernatural creatures all being real.
Beyond The Doors by David Neilsen
With their mother missing and their father in a coma, Zack, Janice, Sydney, and Alexa, ages eleven to four, must live with an aunt whose home has memories hidden behind doors.
Magic in the Mix by Annie Barrows
Life seems to be back to normal for "newly twinned" sisters Miri and Molly until their magical house sends them on new time-traveling adventures, including meeting Molly's mother in 1918 and saving two unusual soldiers during the Civil War.
The Storm Keeper's Island by Catherine Doyle
Fionn Boyle, terrified of the sea, must spend the summer with this older sister, Tara, and their grandfather on Arranmore, an island that has been known to make people disappear, and seems to be restless again.
Furthermore by Tahereh Mafi
Yearning to find her missing father, 12-year-old Alice Alexis Queensmeadow embarks on an adventure to find him by traveling through the mythical, upside-down, dangerous land of Furthermore along with a boy named Oliver, whose own magical ability is based in lies and deceit.
The Luck Uglies by Paul Durham
Eleven-year-old Rye O'Chanter and her two friends delve into the secret lore of their village when mysterious creatures of legend reappear on the night of the Black Moon, leading them to the notorious secret society, the Luck Uglies.
Journey Across the Hidden Islands by Sarah Beth Durst
When two princesses—twin sisters—travel to pay respects to their kingdom's dragon guardian, unexpected monsters appear, and tremors shake the earth. The Hidden Islands face unprecedented threats, and the old rituals are failing. With only their strength, ingenuity, and flying lion to rely on, can the sisters find a new way to keep their people safe?
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang by Ian Fleming, illustrated by John Burningham
Two children persuade their inventor father to purchase and restore an old car which turns out to have magical powers.
Iris and the Tiger by Leanne Hall
Twelve-year-old Iris has been sent to Spain on a mission: to make sure her elderly and unusual aunt, Ursula, leaves her fortune and her sprawling estate to Iris's scheming parents. But from the moment Iris arrives at Bosque de Nubes, she realises something isn't quite right. There is an odd feeling around the house, where time moves slowly and Iris's eyes play tricks on her. While outside, in the wild and untamed forest, a mysterious animal moves through the shadows. Just what is Aunt Ursula hiding?
The Jupiter Pirates: Hunt For The Hydra by Jason Fry
A family of space privateers becomes embroiled in a solar system-wide conspiracy, all while the three sibling compete to determine who will become the next captain of the ship when their mother steps down.
The Great Treehouse War by Lisa Graff
Fifth-grader Winnie, with notes from her friends, writes of turning her treehouse into an embassy after her newly-divorced parents become unreasonable, where she is joined by nine others with complaints.
The Strangers by Margaret Peterson Haddix
The Greystone kids thought they knew. Chess has always been the protector over his younger siblings, Emma loves math, and Finn does what Finn does best—acting silly and being adored. They've been a happy family, just the three of them and their mom. But everything changes when reports of three kidnapped children reach the Greystone kids, and they're shocked by the startling similarities between themselves and these complete strangers. The other kids share their same first and middle names. They're the same ages. They even have identical birthdays. Who, exactly, are these strangers? Before Chess, Emma, and Finn can question their mom about it, she takes off on a sudden work trip and leaves them in the care of Ms. Morales and her daughter, Natalie. But puzzling clues left behind lead to complex codes, hidden rooms, and a dangerous secret that will turn their world upside down.
The Time Sight by Lynne Jonell
After a family emergency sends twelve-year-old Will and five-year-old Jamie to Scotland, a "magic eye" book takes them and their cousin Nan on a journey through their family's violent history.
The Emperor's Riddle by Kat Zhang
During a family trip to China, eleven-year-old Mia Chen and her older brother, Jake, follow clues and solve riddles in hopes of finding their missing Aunt Lin and, perhaps, a legendary treasure.
Bite-Sized Magic by Kathryn Littlewood
Rendered famous by the competition that won back her family's magical cookbook, Rosemary is kidnapped by the Mostess Corporation and is forced to use her magical abilities to create improved recipes for the company's nefarious owner.
Wizardmatch by Lauren Magaziner
Twelve-year-old Lennie Mercado's grandfather, the current Prime Wizard of Pomporromp, is retiring and decides to host a tournament for Lennie and her cousins to compete to win his title, land, position, castle, and unlimited magical powers, but when Poppop introduces new rules to eliminate sibling rivalry, Lennie decides the games are unfair and makes plans to sabotage the event.
Look Out for The Fitzgerald-Trouts by Esta Spalding
The Fitzgerald-Trouts are four barely related siblings living together in a small car on a lush tropical island, but when they begin to outgrow their small vehicle, they must band together to find a new home.
Surviving The Applewhites by Staphanie S. Tolan
Jake, a budding juvenile delinquent, is sent for home schooling to the arty and eccentric Applewhite family's Creative Academy, where he discovers talents and interests he never knew he had.
Ghost Squad by Claribel A. Ortega
For Lucely Luna, ghosts are more than just the family business. Shortly before Halloween, Lucely and her best friend, Syd, cast a spell that accidentally awakens malicious spirits, wreaking havoc throughout St. Augustine. Together, they must join forces with Syd's witch grandmother, Babette, and her tubby tabby, Chunk, to fight the haunting head-on and reverse the curse to save the town and Lucely's firefly spirits before it's too late.
The Matchstick Castle by Keir Graff
Eleven-year-old Brian's summer turns out a lot less boring than expected when he encounters a huge, wacky house in the forest and befriends the eccentric family that lives there.
The Doldrums by Nicholas Gannon
An eccentric like all Helmsleys, eleven-year-old Archer escapes his overprotective mother and recruits two friends, Oliver and Adelaide, to help him plan a rescue of his long-lost grandparents, world-famous explorers who disappeared atop an iceberg in the Antarctic.
Summaries provided via NYPL’s catalog, which draws from multiple sources. Click through to each book’s title for more.