Common Sense Media Review
By Mary Eisenhart
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Sibs rush to save home in funny, heart-filled series debut.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
THE VANDERBEEKERS OF 141ST STREET—Papa, Mama, Isa, Jessie, Oliver, Hyacinth, Laney, plus Franz the dog, George Washington the cat, and Paganini the rabbit—live happily in a red brownstone in the middle of the block in Harlem, New York City. But, just a few days before Christmas, their landlord says they have to leave by the end of the year. And the landlord's a scary guy. But the kids are determined to change his mind, because leaving their friends, their neighbors, and the cheese croissants at Castleman's bakery is just unthinkable. Luckily, they're creative and kind-hearted, and they've got a lot of community support. Unluckily, things often don't go the way they plan.
Is It Any Good?
This lively series starter about a big, loving, brownstone-dwelling family is off to a heartstring-tugging, funny bone-tickling start as parents, kids, and dogs face the immenent loss of their home—and at Christmastime! Since they've always thought of themselves as The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street, and have built quite a life there, this is a blow, but as their parents fret, the kids come up with assorted schemes to change the landlord's mind. Karina Yan Glaser introduces the characters and the neighborhood here, and sets up things to come, while offering lots of info about classical music, animal training, Rube Goldberg machines, and how to make a lemon battery.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about big-family tales like The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street. If you come from a big family yourself, what do you think the author gets really right here? If you're not from a big family, what's the appeal? Either way, do you have any other favorites?
Harlem, where the Vanderbeekers live, is a neighborhood with a rich, diverse history over the centuries. Do you know anything about its past? How does your neighborhood compare to Harlem?
As the kids find out, sometimes doing the kind thing can be really scary, and the person you're trying to be kind to is mean and angry instead. How do they deal with it? How would you?
How would you feel if you suddenly had to leave your home? What would you do?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Karina Yan Glaser
- Genre : Family Life
- Topics : Family Stories ( Dads , Moms , Siblings ) , Friendship , Holidays ( Christmas )
- Character Strengths : Empathy , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Clarion
- Publication date : October 3, 2017
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 304
- Available on : Paperback, Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : July 27, 2026
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