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z_tennille's review against another edition
4.0
Listened to the audio version. The narrator was wonderful. Very cute cozy story even an adult would enjoy. Would make a wonderful Christmas read.
jcstokes95's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
I'm glad to have finally crossed this off my list; I keep gravitating toward the cover in stores. Finally took the dive for a local bookstore's Summer Bingo challenge (this was my "middle grade about sisters" entry). It's got lots of action-packed, comedy of error style, twists and turns. And I really do think it fit the challenge well, the conflict between the two sisters growing up and realizing their interests might diverge was well done. However, I think what I realized is this sort of thing is just too sweet for me. I like even my middle grade a little more moody. I found the lack of deeper conflict kept me from burning through this one, which should have been easy. This is really down to personal preference. But, if you're looking for something totally candy filled and sugary, this will do the trick for sure.
awesomebrandi's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. This is a middle grade novel about a family who lives in a mutli-family brownstone in Harlem, who finds out, close to Christmas, that their landlord doesn't want to renew their lease after spending years in the home. The five kids go on a mission to change their cantankerous landlord's (who lives on the top floor of the brownstone), mind and let them stay.
I have mixed thoughts on this book. First, it reads very young for most of it. I would say this is overall, a MG that is on the 8/9 year old side. However, there is a bit of tragedy/death in it (past, not current) so that may be upsetting to some young kids. There were points in the middle that I thought I was going to rate this two stars, but a very strong ending kept it at a three.
I think the diversity in the book is mostly great. They have a neighbor who had a stroke, and the author does a great job of normalizing those disability traits. This book is very multicultural, which is fantastic. It even normalizes a passing character with baggy pants, and shows that's not a reason to vilify someone. However, this falls down BAD in a certain area, which is the GENDER STEREOTYPES.
The kids in the family are made up of four girls and one boy. You have twin tween girls, one of which is a science nerd with frizzy hair and glasses (WHYYYYYYYYYYYY). The brother loves to read, but it specifies how his uncle sends him books about 'superheroes and Greek mythology and pirates and space exploration and presidents' which are all very stereotypical 'boy topics'. His favorite ornament is a plane. He's, in general, the one with the lowest expectations and a lazy attitude. Also, the book makes more than one reference about how the girls 'shouldn't date until they're in college' and tired, sexist tropes like that. I was just really disappointed that a book that clearly cares about diversity in other areas would hold onto such silly and outdated gender stereotypes that don't benefit anyone.
The last 20% is the best part. If I DO read anymore of these, it won't be high priority.
I have mixed thoughts on this book. First, it reads very young for most of it. I would say this is overall, a MG that is on the 8/9 year old side. However, there is a bit of tragedy/death in it (past, not current) so that may be upsetting to some young kids. There were points in the middle that I thought I was going to rate this two stars, but a very strong ending kept it at a three.
I think the diversity in the book is mostly great. They have a neighbor who had a stroke, and the author does a great job of normalizing those disability traits. This book is very multicultural, which is fantastic. It even normalizes a passing character with baggy pants, and shows that's not a reason to vilify someone. However, this falls down BAD in a certain area, which is the GENDER STEREOTYPES.
The kids in the family are made up of four girls and one boy. You have twin tween girls, one of which is a science nerd with frizzy hair and glasses (WHYYYYYYYYYYYY). The brother loves to read, but it specifies how his uncle sends him books about 'superheroes and Greek mythology and pirates and space exploration and presidents' which are all very stereotypical 'boy topics'. His favorite ornament is a plane. He's, in general, the one with the lowest expectations and a lazy attitude. Also, the book makes more than one reference about how the girls 'shouldn't date until they're in college' and tired, sexist tropes like that. I was just really disappointed that a book that clearly cares about diversity in other areas would hold onto such silly and outdated gender stereotypes that don't benefit anyone.
The last 20% is the best part. If I DO read anymore of these, it won't be high priority.
faroreness's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
vegas37's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0