Reviews

Every once in a great while, I’ll read a highly rated children’s or YA book and the simplicity of the storytelling ends up making for a highly enjoyable reading experience. I felt the same way when I read The Wednesday Wars last year (see the review in this post). This story follows a family of five children and two parents living in a brownstone in Harlem. They find out that their curmudgeonly landlord, Mr. Biederman, will not be renewing their lease 10 days before the end of the year. Dismayed at the loss of their home and community on 141st Street, the children set to work in an attempt to convince the hermit-like landlord to reconsider and let their family stay in the brownstone. The story follows each of the children’s unique skills (basketball, music, chemistry, art), interests (rabbit training, violin, Rube Goldberg machines, reading), and attempts at persuasion over the course of five days (arts and crafts, petitions, musical renditions, bribery by cookies and pets). I loved the way that this story presented both family and the sense of community gained through a strong neighborhood. The Vanderbeekers were a life force in the tiny pocket of their neighborhood, and while they didn’t seem to know it, the rambunctious group of five children brought joy to so many in their midst.

paig35mith's review against another edition

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3.0

This book was not what I expected from a children's book. I read this book so that I could discuss it with my child since I had assigned it as his book of the month. This book wasn't your typical happy-go-lucky kid's book but that made it more likable to me. I was worried that it had too many emotions and maybe my child wouldn't care for it but they did. We had a great discussion about how people react to certain situations and how something can appear to be one thing but there's something totally different at play.

lauramarie83's review against another edition

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lighthearted reflective medium-paced

5.0

biggerstaffk's review against another edition

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emotional slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

avonleagal's review against another edition

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4.0

This is a really cute book but a little below my age level

karen_hallam's review against another edition

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5.0

When the Vanderbeeker children of 141 Street in Harlem discover their landlord isn’t renewing the lease, they strike out with inventive ways to convince him otherwise. Only he isn’t going to be easy to convince, he never leaves his third-floor apartment, and he’s grouchy and scary.

It’s Christmastime in the city. Mr. Vanderbeeker calls a meeting and explains to his five biracial children, along with their dog, a cat, and house rabbit that they have to leave the neighborhood they’ve grown up in. The friendly neighborhood where they know every clerk and shop owner. It’s the worst time to be homeless.

Distraught beyond comprehension, one by one, each of the five Vanderbeeker children, Oliver, the twins Jessie and Isa, and Laney and Hyacinth come up with clever ideas that are sure to melt the landlord, Mr. Beiderman’s heart. Only nothing works, even when the entire neighborhood signs a petition to help save their home.

It’s an all-out love assault. But will anything stop the Beiderman?

Such a delightful and heartwarming story that reminded me of the feeling I had reading books as a child. A classic. Each of the Vanderbeeker’s children will find their way into your heart with their charms and creativity. I’m looking forward to the next book in this series, The Vanderbeekers and the Hidden Garden. (Sept. 25, 2018)

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