This book was just a cute book for pre-teens. Quirky yet relatable characters? Check! A problem that the adults can’t solve? Check! A mild romance miscommunication? Check! It really was a nice little read.
The five Vanderbeeker children have lived in their Bronx brownstone for six years, but four days before Christmas, they find out their landlord (and upstairs neighbor) isn’t renewing their lease. Their parents are resigned, but the kids decide they will fight the move with…kindness! They figure if they can show their landlord how great they are, he will let them stay. It’s a good plan in theory, but all their acts of kindness seem to fall flat. In the midst of their last-ditch plan, there is also a romance with the boy down the road by the eldest twins.
I liked how the author included pictures of the house layout (maybe because I am a visual person and love seeing how houses are laid out) and the neighborhood map. I also liked how the characters worked out their conflict resolution in a positive way. The only problem I had with it was the ending tied up neatly and quickly. I guess for the age group this book is aimed for (upper elementary), that’s okay, but it seemed a little hasty to me.
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