Reviews

All-Of-A-Kind Family Uptown by Sydney Taylor

crocheteer34's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

lisavegan's review against another edition

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5.0

I loved being back with this family.

Hilarious first chapter!

Henny grew on me a bit in this book because she’s the one who’s so good with youngest sibling and only brother Charlie. It’s always been Sarah & Ella and Charlotte & Gertie and now I feel as though Henny has a pairing too. Also, I admired Henny’s role in the play and her ability to work with others and help implement original ideas.

It was fun to watch the kids grow up. I’m still particularly fond of Sarah, and of Ella, but all the daughters had a bit of the spotlight in this book.

I’m still deciding whether or not to read the Downtown and Ella books. I’ve loved the original, More, and this Uptown so much, and I’ve been told the other two have a different writing style. They were written long after the three I’ve read. Some people have recommended I skip them; others have encouraged me to read them. If I do read the remaining two books, it’s likely that it won’t be in the near future.

In this book, I learned a bit about what the WWI era was like in NYC.

As with the other books in this series, this book would make for a perfect family (or classroom) and/or bedtime read aloud. Each chapter works wonderfully on its own, as a short story, while at the same time contributing to the novel as a whole.

pris_asagiri's review against another edition

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3.0

04/24/2020: This was less about Jewish faith or lifestyle, and more what life was like at the end of WWII. The ending glossed over the horrific parts of the war. One doesn’t suppose Bill will have charming stories to tell of his days in a German prison. But also, for a Jewish family, not to even comment on what was happening in Europe was very strange and I think a lost opportunity for young readers. But there were some nice lessons and it soothed the mind after reading Fahrenheit 451 each night, so it was worth the reread.

travelinglibrary's review

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emotional lighthearted medium-paced

4.0

moorlady's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

kirstenrose22's review against another edition

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4.0

The family are moving on up, and have left behind their all-Jewish neighborhood. This gives them a few chances for cultural exchange (first sight of a Christmas tree, for example). The war is subtle but present.

the_herbal_carnivore's review against another edition

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4.0

I like how the maturity of the story increases as time goes on from book to book.

belleoftheb00ks's review

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funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

wordslinger42's review against another edition

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hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

5.0

sharonfalduto's review against another edition

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Rachel (age 8) and I read this together. It is the Jewish family in the early 20th century. The have moved from New York's lower East Side to the Bronx. The older girls deal with dating, and their beaux going off to war.