This is book number 5 in the The Vanderbeekers series.
Witness the power of family history and family love in this funny, poignant addition to a series that the New York Times Book Review hails as “delightful and heartwarming.”
It’s summer on 141st Street, and the Vanderbeekers are looking forward to Papa’s surprise fortieth birthday party. But when Papa must leave town suddenly to help his best friend, trouble in the form of their distant grandparents shows up on their doorstep.
Not only must the Vanderbeekers face the disappointment of ruined plans, but they have more than one family secret to solve if they are going to give Papa the special birthday he deserves.
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:
Karina Yan Glaser is the author of the New York Times bestselling Vanderbeekers series and the stand-alone novel A Duet for Home, which received three starred reviews and has been nominated for more than a dozen state awards. A former middle school teacher, Karina lives in Harlem, New York City, with her husband, two teens, and an assortment of pets and houseplants. One of her proudest achievements is raising two kids who can’t go anywhere without a book.
"Another adorable kid-centered adventure in Glaser's successful and endearing series. Lovers of Jeanne Birdsall's 'Penderwick' series will find real comfort in Glaser's characters and situations. This latest in a staple series is a must for any middle grade collection." — School Library Journal