finished my first book for #MiddleGradeMarch and loved it!!! Such a sweet read about a big family live in Harlem.

This was a really sweet story about a family living in New York City. Their grumpy landlord is not renewing their lease, so the five Vanderbeeker children (ages 4-12) hatch a series of plans to get him to have them stay. Along the way, they have many misadventures and learn a little more about their landlord. It has a great ending, and the opening pages of the book are hilarious. Funny, poignant, shows the importance of family and the "family" that surrounds us.

A great read for a student who loves a story with a lively family dynamic. Will recommend to students!

This book is about six children, the Vanderbeeker children: twin sisters Isa and Jessie, Oliver, Hycinth, and Laney. Their landlord, Mr. Beiderman, who lives on their third floor and has never left it, mysteriously refuses to renew their lease. And, only three days before Christmas! The Vanderbeekers struggle to come up with a plan to change his mind. How? By showing him how wonderful they are! Can they save their beloved home in time? Find out in The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street!

This was a pretty good book. I liked the characters; they all had fun unique personalities, and there was some character development. I just didn't like the story plot much. It was kinda good, and there were some parts that I really liked, but it could have been better.Maybe it's just me.

I felt like the way the story was told wasn't quite right; it felt like it took forever to get to the action. After a while, there was more action, but the first part was a little dull.

The story was a little predictable, but that wasn't too bad. Overall, it was a good book that I do recommend.

A new series for bedtime reading with Teddy filled with quirky and not-always-perfect characters, a strong sense of place, and terrific vocabulary for a middle grade reader. I loved getting to know the Vanderbeekers and their neighbors and look forward to the next installment.

CW: child loss

Adorable! Very All-of-a-kind family but modern! So sweet and charming but not saccharine. I can't wait to read more about this family!

Cute family story where the Vanderbeekers receive an eviction notice from their mysterious landlord, Mr. Beiderman. They have a week and a half to convince their reclusive landlord to change his mind. Cute family story where all problems are wrapped in a pretty bow at its conclusion.

I’ve been reading this book with my kids for the last couple weeks.
So many times in the book there’s this idea of girls being noisy, always interrupting. Like portraying it as a negative intrinsic characteristic related to gender. Even the uncle coming to build a “room/space” for the boy “to survive” being surrounded by sisters. It is never about gender, having noise and interruptions is having siblings-regardless of gender. Sometimes age affects, sometimes amount of siblings for others, but even those are not an absolute link.
I had to stop several times and chat with my children about this bias, that it doesn’t matter if you’re a “girl or boy” it’s about living in the world with others. That conversation is the only positive part I took from reading this book.
Anyway. Thought of sharing in case it helps someone else!

What a heartwarming tale! The story of five siblings who work together and will go to any lengths to save the home they love!

It's a sweet book with solid characters and a good story.