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.