The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street

I picked this as our next read aloud, after finishing the 4th and final book in The Moffats series. We’ve also read All of a Kind Family, The Saturdays, Betsy-Tacy and wanted something in that vein. The Vanderbeekers came highly recommended so we were doubly disappointed to find the language crass, trite, and overdone. The author tried too hard, forcing traits and unusual names upon the characters.Also, as others have mentioned, right off the bat, there is discussion of divorce, where the children mistakenly think their parents have called a family meeting to announce the news of their impending separation (they haven’t).This book is a far cry from The Moffats. It lacks the honesty, wholesomeness, and natural ease of those books. I’m sorry I purchased this and am on the lookout for a new read aloud.

One of my new all-time favorites. For readers who loved The Penderwicks and All-of-a-Kind-Family. I can't WAIT To see what this author writes next!

I lived on Amsterdam Ave., between 141 and 142 Streets from five to 10 years old (60+ years ago). This book brought back many memories of my early childhood. City College, The Convent Avenue Baptist Church, and P.S.192, were part of my life. I was not fortunate enough to live in those beautiful brownstones but, still remember trying to imagine what life could be like if I lived behind those doors. I wanted to share this experience with my grandson and appreciate the map included.Thank you, Karina Yan Glaser

This is the kind of heartwarming story that you want to jump inside and become a part of the community. Ms. Glaser has made me believe that the Vanderbeekers must truly exist somewhere.When the Vanderbeekers receive notice that they have to move out of their beloved New York apartment right after Christmas, the children take action. They decide to befriend the mysterious and curmudgeonly landlord, Mr. Beiderman, in hopes of inspiring him with a change of heart.What I loved so much about this story is the sense of community that is tangible. Everyone wants to live in a neighborhood like this one. But even more, it is the reminder that streets like 141st Street don't just happen. It takes action. It takes looking beyond first appearances. And it takes loving people who might truly seem unlovable. Our world could use a few more stories like this one.

I ordered this in February for the Middle Grade at Heart newsletter book club, but saved it, knowing that it was exactly my favorite kind of book and wanting to read it when I really needed it. That moment came this week. A couple of different things combined to make for a really stressful start to the week, and more than anything I needed to be able to dive into a book was comforting and sweet. I've always loved middle grade family adventures, and many of the classic and modern families from these books have become dear friends. From the minute I saw promotion for this book last year, I knew that it was when I was going to love, and I was not disappointed. VANDERBEEKERS is like a warm cup of tea in book form: sweet, soothing, and utterly enjoyable, the kind of thing that can't help but restore some of your faith in humanity. I loved it so much I immediately went out and pre-ordered the sequel, which is not something I do very often! Karina Yan Glaser utterly captures the old fashioned feel of the large Vanderbeeker family and their equally heartwarming and madcap adventures, managing to make the story feel perfectly classic but also modern and fresh. The Vanderbeeker are definitely going in that special place in my heart along with families like the Melendys, the Penderwicks, the Fletchers, and all of the classic middle grade families I discovered in my childhood.

I expected this to be an excellent story, a new, charming favorite. I was disappointed to discover that it was wordy and uninteresting. We read this as a read aloud and stopped at chapter 6. None of us cared what happened any more and as a large family ourselves, it was rather boring reading the moment by moment nonsensical conversations of siblings. We wanted to love this, we were sad to have paid money for it.

Charming is the word that comes to mind when I think about this tween novel. Set in Harlem, the Vanderbeekers' lease is not being renewed to the brownstone they have lived in for years. The five children are upset about this news and set about devising a plan to change their landlord's mind. Having never seen the landlord, Mr. Beiderman, over the years they have lived there, he has grown in their imagination a someone who is larger than life. Although the plot is a bit predictable, this book is so fun and would make a great read-aloud. I would enjoy checking in on the Vanderbeekers in the future.

Open Book Reviews by Megan Schmelzerwww.openbookreviews.orgI read this book over my winter break, and it was absolutely the perfect timing. Karina Yan Glaser’s novel, The Vanderbeekrs of 141st Street, takes place entirely during the week before Christmas. You feel the gearing up for the holidays taking place in the setting of this story, especially the nostalgia that we all feel for our childhood homes during the holidays. The nostalgia runs deep for the Vanderbeeker children, and now that is all suddenly at risk to be coming to an end.The Vanderbeekers are losing their family home, or the bottom floor of their apartment building. They have just been given notice that their landlord, the old, grumpy Mr. Biederman, has refused to allow the Vanderbeekers the opportunity to renew their lease. The Vanderbeeker children are devastated at the thought of leaving their Harlem neighborhood, and they hatch a plan to convince grumpy Mr. Biederman to let their family stay.All five of the Vanderbeeker children join forces and add their individual spins, talents, and personalities to the efforts to win over Mr. Biederman. Naturally, things go all wrong for the children, and their sweet efforts to help save their home may actually be adding fuel to Mr. Biederman’s desire to have them gone for good. However, like true holiday books, the spirit of home, holidays, and families may just prevail in the long run.

Charming is the word that comes to mind when I think about this christmassy tween novel.Set in Harlem, New York City, the Vanderbeekers' lease is not being renewed to the brownstone they have lived in for years. The five children are upset about this news and set about devising a plan to change their landlord's mind. Having never seen the landlord, Mr. Beiderman, over the years they have lived there, he has grown in their imagination a someone who is larger than life.Although the plot is a bit predictable and the denouement is very quick and smooth, this book is so fun and makes a great family read-aloud.I would enjoy checking in on the Vanderbeekers in the future.

Plot - The Vanderbeekers's landlord gives them notice that their lease won't be renewed and they have to be out just after Christmas. The 5 children set out to do something about it."Majestic street lamps were staggered on both sides of the sidewalk, spaced fifty paces apart. In the evening, the warm glow of the lights made passersby feel that this street might have looked the same one hundred years earlier."I really really loved the imagery in this book. The brownstone where the Vanderbeekers live is described so beautifully and with such details that you can imagine it to be the happiest place in the world. All 5 children have unique personalities that distinguish them but they look out for each other in that special way siblings do. They are also surrounded by loving friends neighbours and pets. The book is warm and cozy and a really really lovely read.

Thoroughly enjoyed this family story of the Vanderbeekers, an eclectic group of characters, kids included, each with their own personalities.

My daughter could put the book down! Had some great laughs!

I enjoyed this story and recomend it I think it is funny and at the same time heart warming I especially love the ending the vanderbeekers is amasing