The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street - by Karina Yan Glaser (Hardcover)

About the Book

Humorous and heartfelt, the five Vanderbeeker children will do whatever it takes to stay in their beloved brownstone home in this sweeping family story that is as lively, diverse, and noisy as any street in Harlem. Illustrations.

Book Synopsis

The first book in the bestselling series that the New York Times Book Review hails as "delightful and heartwarming."

The Vanderbeekers have always lived in the brownstone on 141st Street. It's practically another member of the family. So when their reclusive, curmudgeonly landlord decides not to renew their lease, the five siblings have eleven days to do whatever it takes to stay in their beloved home and convince the dreaded Beiderman just how wonderful they are.

And all is fair in love and war when it comes to keeping their home.

The New York Times bestselling Vanderbeekers series is perfect for fans of the Penderwicks. As ALA Booklist commented in a starred review: "Few families in children's literature are as engaging or amusing as the Vanderbeekers, even in times of turmoil."

The series includes:

The Vanderbeekers of 141st StreetThe Vanderbeekers and the Hidden GardenThe Vanderbeekers to the RescueThe Vanderbeekers Lost and FoundThe Vanderbeekers Make a WishThe Vanderbeekers on the RoadThe Vanderbeekers Ever After

Review Quotes

"Glaser's love for the Vanderbeekers shines through in her prose and stick drawings. Readers will look forward to future adventures. A highly recommended purchase for all middle grade collections." - School Library Journal (starred review)

"Few [families] in children's literature are as engaging or amusing as the Vanderbeekers." - Booklist (starred review)

"[Karina Yan Glaser's] contemporary family narrative preserves the winsome tone and innocence of the aforementioned classics while updating them with a rich, modern diversity of characters, settings and problems. Glaser's warmhearted story highlights a cold truth: What is often missing in the busy lives of today's plugged-in, checked-out families is a sense of community. In the vast village of New York City, she suggests, what it takes to raise a child can still be found on one square block." - New York Times Book Review

"A heartwarming story about family and community that will appeal to readers who also enjoy an old-fashioned feel." - Kirkus Reviews

"With rich dialogue and detailed descriptions of the neighborhood, the text provides a humorous and heartwarming story about siblings uniting to save their home. Through the Vanderbeekers, Glaser provides a portrait of the splendors of Harlem and the sense of community that can be built among neighbors of all backgrounds. This will draw fans of rollicking family stories, and while it's centered on Christmas, it would be enjoyable any time of the year." - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Uplifting. Readers who enjoy a cheery story that's simultaneously old-fashioned and of the moment in its sensibility will enjoy this introduction to the Vanderbeekers and look forward to their future adventures." - Publishers Weekly

"Glaser's third-person narration weaves individual characters' plot threads and a palpable sense of place through the larger family story in the tradition of Jeanne Birdsall, Sydney Taylor, Elizabeth Enright, and Hilary McKay." - The Horn Book

"The Vanderbeekers join the Melendys, the Cassons, and the 'All of a Kind' Family on my list of favorite book-families. I'm in love with every single Vanderbeeker! Their story is utterly enchanting: I did not want it to end. More, please?" - Linda Sue Park, Newbery medalist

About the Author

Karina Glaser lives in Harlem, New York City, with her husband, two daughters, and assortment of rescued animals. One of her proudest achievements is raising two kids who can't go anywhere without a book. This is her debut novel.