The Vanderbeekers, by Karina Yan Glaser for MMGM

When I started blogging I promised myself I would never start a blog with an apology for not posting as planned. We all have lives, right? And most of us aren’t doing this to pay the bills. Of course sometimes we’ll be absent from our blogging community longer than we like.
So–this is me not apologizing. πŸ˜€ I AM glad to be back and sharing a very Christmas-appropriate post with you all, as my one and only December spotlight! Here’s looking at The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street!

This is the story of how the Vanderbeeker children learn that they’re going to have to move from the home where they’ve always lived on 141st Street (because their grumpy and secretive landlord won’t renew the lease), and try to save themselves from this disaster.

It’s also the story of a community realizing who they’ve forgotten, and finding the one who fell through the cracks, thanks to the Vanderbeeker kids’ enthusiasm for life and growth. And it’s about each Vanderbeeker child–twins Isa and Jessie, followed by Oliver, Hyacinth, and Laney–growing and taking important life steps against this backdrop of family and community. Isa has a boy interested for the very first time, and Jessie isn’t at all sure how she feels about that, so the twins have to do quite a bit of growing and negotiating before the end. Oliver faces up to some smallish but significant personal failings and sorts himself out. Hyacinth learns to let her heart help her by Hyacinth the Brave. And little Laney takes a first step from being the cute baby to a planner and doer in her own right.

I love how unique each of the kids are, and their parents, too. For that matter, each member of the community feels fully sketched–but we spend most our time with the Vanderbeeker kids. I also loved the way the pets played an integral part in the story, and the way the kids, pets and community seemed to be part of a fluid whole that could wrap itself around anyone in need of some love.
Which is part of why the ending resonated so much! I’ll try to articulate that without giving away any spoilers (because, really, the book is just a big romp where the kids try to save their home, plus spoilers, so there’s a lot to avoid!) but I was braced for possible disappointment as I saw where the story was going. I hate quick-fix endings, or stories that gloss over people’s pain. They don’t ring true, and are an injustice to the very real challenges people face. But, Glaser sailed through the ending without any difficulties of that kind and still managed to keep the warmth and joy of the book going strong precisely because she didn’t gloss over anything or pretend someone’s pain wasn’t that bad. The novel seemed to be saying that yes, tough stuff happens. Sometimes people fall through the cracks. But sometimes we pull them back up again and healing happens, too. And honestly, isn’t that the most pretty much perfect message you can think of for a kids book set at Christmas? Even thinking about the ending now brings warmth to my eyes–and I am not a softie! πŸ˜€

So, after all that careful talking around the pertinent bits–let’s see what Apricot-kitty thought of it:

Okay, yes, the story was delightful–if you didn’t mind that big yappy dog! Whatever the kids end up figuring out and however it all finished, I’m sure it was actually the dogs fault they almost had to move. Ugh…these books with dogs. A bunny I can take, but busy bumpy bumbling dogs like that? No, thank you!

Ookay! Guess we know what she thought about Franz…but then, I think we could have guessed that. While she tolerates some dogs, he did fall solidly into the kind I suspect most cats would find annoying.

Apricot-kitty’s grumpiness aside, I was truly touched by this lovely story, and can’t recommend it enough! I promise it will be one of those few instances where a book you’ve heard about for forever will actually exceed your expectations.

I hope whatever holiday you celebrate, your season will be lovely and your life filled with warmth and joy. I will see you in January, post book launch (for a Lily Black title) and post peanut-season. πŸ˜€
Be sure to stop by our Marvelous Middle Grade Monday host Greg Pattridge’s blog for the full round up, and happy reading!

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17 Comments

  1. Reply

    Oddly enough, the only Vanderbeekers book I’ve read is the second one, even though I have the first and third on my shelves of TBR books. You make this one sound so good, I think I’ll read over the holiday break. Have a great reading week.

  2. Completely Full Bookshelf

    Reply

    I’ve seen some very positive reviews of this book, and, after reading your review, I really want to try it! In addition, I saw your post about your peanut allergyβ€”I have a similar allergy (just being near peanuts could trigger a reaction), so I appreciate you speaking out!

    • Reply

      Oh, I’m glad you saw the peanut post and appreciated it! I’m going to continue speaking out on that–in my own slightly goofy way. πŸ˜€ It just feels like we need a voice, you know?

      I hope you get to read The Vanderbeekers over the break, and enjoy it! It makes may heart happy to think of. <3

    • Reply

      This is me! Now that I’ve read the first, I need to squeeze in the rest. It’s lovely to know I have them waiting for me!

  3. Reply

    Apricot is right – bunnies make awesome pets (or that’s my interpretation of what he’s saying). I’ve got one right now staring me down while I’m on the computer telling me that he really wants to be petted. He’s starting to make me feel a bit guilty about it so I will remedy this as soon as I post this comment…

    I love the cover art work for this book. The colors are vibrant and architecture of the building really calls to me, but still I’m a bit hesitant to read it. I just somehow think I’ll be sad when I read it. I’m glad what you said about the ending and how it isn’t rushed or glossed over and still manages to keep the warmth. Thanks for the review!

    • Reply

      Okay, I understand the struggle but if you like bunnies you HAVE to read this! Paganini is the best, and it was only fear of spoilers that kept me from taking more about him and his own tiny character arc.

  4. Reply

    I’m embarrassed to say that I’ve not read any Vanderbeekers books. They remind me in a way of Natalie Lloyd’s Problim Children, which is a bit quirky and for a little younger age. I loved your review and I think the theme makes this a perfect book for Christmas. The cover is fabulous!

    • Reply

      Since books like this are worth waiting for and digging down to when missed, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it!

      PS totally agree on the cover–it looks like hot chocolate tastes. πŸ˜€

    • Reply

      Thank you! I’m grateful you understand. And happy to hear you loved the subsequent Vanderbeekers stories as much as the first!

  5. Reply

    I’ve had the Vanderbeeker’s on my to be read list way too long. You have reignited my desire to get started on this series. Thanks for the nudge and for featuring the book on this week’s MMGM. Great to have you back!

    • Reply

      Thank you, Greg! And I know the feeling…it can be an almost palpable relief to finally get to a book you know you should. And so worth it! Have fun with this one, and happy holidays. πŸ˜€

  6. Reply

    I read the first book in this series and enjoyed it. It took me a little while to get all the kids straight- but that could also do with my mindset while I was reading it. πŸ™‚ I really liked the upstairs neighbor a lot and it was interesting to see what the kids learned about him. Great review!

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