Cover Image: The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street

The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street

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Member Reviews

Cute book, good read; Wondering if this is going to be part of a series?

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Wow. I LOVED this book. I knew from the very first chapter that this was a special book, and I felt it right until the very end. It's not often I read something that makes me feel so warm and fuzzy, but this one of those gems. I can hardly wait to share it with my young patrons in the fall.

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When the Vanderbeekers receive news that they are going to have to move out of their apartment due to their release not being renewed, they are devastated. This is their home, where the kids have lived their whole life. Shortly after, the kids decide they are going to find a way to convince their landlord they deserve to stay in their home. Following their adventures, and being let into their life was amazing to follow. They are the most kindhearted family, one that many students can either find themselves in or cling to. As you go through the story with them you are hanging by a thread hoping their dreams come true. One night when Isa decides to let loose on their vicious landlord, their fate is then decided. This is a great story that encompasses love, family, and forgiveness.

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Who could not love the Vanderbleakers? One man, Mr. Biederman, who refuses to renew the lease to their beloved brownstone forcing them to leave the only home they have known. The author slowly reveals the reason the family must leave 141st Street.. You will laugh and cry your way through the many ways the Vanderbleeker children attempt to change the mind of a sad and lonely man.

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5 stars. A heartwarming and beautifully written tale of family, friendship and the community.

141st Street is the home of the lively and spirited Vanderbeeker family. When their mysterious landlord decides not to renew their lease, the five Vanderbeeker children have eleven days to try to convince him to let them stay.

Firstly, can I just say this - I want each and every Vanderbeeker to be my best friend. And to be honest, all the other characters in this book as well. Glaser brings this odd mix of characters to life in the best way, and not a single character in this book comes across as flat or two-dimensional.

I really appreciated the little attempts at diversity as well - the Vanderbeekers are biracial, and one of their neighbours is a stroke victim. But at the same time, Glaser makes it clear that they are not characterised by their circumstances, portraying them each in a very authentic, very human way.

Long story short, it's a lovely book, easy to read and undoubtedly feel-good. It's clearly targeted at middle-school age children, but I'm convinced that pretty much anybody would enjoy reading this book - I definitely did.

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I absolutely loved this book from start to finish! A great example on the meaning and importance of home.

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An excellent book that I hope to share with my class.

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The Vanderbeekers are losing their lease at 141st st and the family is up in arms as its christmas and they have never lived anywhere else. The book is primarily centered around the children and what they can do to get their landlord to change his mind. The efforts of the children are cute but I would have preferred some more interaction with the grumpy landlord which really doesn't happen until the very end of the book.

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I was sorry to see this was not available for Kindle.

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The Vanderbeekers of 141st street is an absolutely charming middle grade novel. It follows a family of five children--Isa, Allegra, Oliver, Laney and Jess-- as they work to change their landlord's mind, and put a stop to their impending eviction. The children are all such characters, and the whole book has such a light-hearted warmth that it can't fail to bring a smile to any reader, young or old!

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