All books are divided into chapters, but “chapter books” is a term reserved for children’s literature, particularly of the 3rd-7th grade years. They’re the stories and the tales that kids can read themselves, but they’re perfect for read-alouds, either at home or in the classroom. These are the books of which memories are made, plain and simple.
“The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street” is one such book. In an ordinary brownstone on an ordinary street up in Harlem, the Vanderbeeker children, five in all, live with their parents and neighbors and landlord, Mr. Beiderman. Five days before Christmas, their rarely seen landlord announces they must leave by the new year. The resourceful children and their friends band together to make Mr. Biederman understand that this is their home, too, and with the help of a petition, a kitten, a performing bunny, and a rare violin, they win him over. First love, true friendship, and inventive relatives save the day, along with a mouth-watering assortment of croissants and baguettes from the Castleman’s bakery. Read this only with a supply of yummy cookies at hand!
By Janet Moore, Library Trustee