The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street

The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street
By Karina Yan Glaser

I loved this fun, funny, and poignant story of a big biracial family trying to stay in their beloved Harlem brownstone home. The 12-year-old twins Isa and Jessie, along with their 9-year-old brother Oliver, and their two little sisters Hyacinth (6) and Laney (4), set out to save their home when their mysterious and mean landlord refuses to renew their rental contract. Without telling their parents, the kids try all kinds of things to convince their landlord to let them stay--and since each kid has their own quirky personality and special talents, the efforts are pretty funny! There is a sequel, The Vanderbeekers and the Hidden Garden, which I also loved, and a third book coming out next fall about the lively Vanderbeeker family.