* I got this book for review*
This book was so cute. It was such a cute read and i loved the diversity of so many of the characters in this story. It def gave me vanderbekkers of 141 street vibe and was so focsued on found family. I thought the main character was fun and think it is great start for new readers for smaller chapter books!! I enjoyed this one and would def read more in the future ( )

* I got this book for review*
This book was so cute. It was such a cute read and i loved the diversity of so many of the characters in this story. It def gave me vanderbekkers of 141 street vibe and was so focsued on found family. I thought the main character was fun and think it is great start for new readers for smaller chapter books!! I enjoyed this one and would def read more in the future ( )

This is a charming story. It looks as though it’s going to be a series. It took me a while to get used to it because it is an early chapter book written for younger middle grade readers, probably ages 6-9, but the story is fun, funny, sweet, cute and interesting. The slight mystery is entertaining. I love that it takes place in San Francisco, even though it never leaves the neighborhood and rarely leaves the building and its yard. I appreciate that this is a 5 unit building with a diverse group of residents. It’s pretty perfect except for 9 year old Ella being the only child resident, a fact she doesn’t seem to mind at all. I’d love to be a child or an adult in this building, with neighborly neighbors and each apartment having its own garden plot. The illustrations are outstanding. I adored all of them. There was so much to view in each picture. 3-1/4 stars from me but a full 4 stars from my 7-9 year old self. ( )

Nine-year-old Ella lives with her moms, Abby and Livy, in an apartment on Poppy Hill in San Francisco. Ella knows everything about the building and its tenants (except for the mysterious upstairs neighbors, the Robinsons) and is excited to show newcomers Leo and Cleo around, but they rebuff her - at first. Soon, though, they realize they need Ella's help, and she gives them a tour (and explains the quirks of their oven and light switch). Wise, wry Ella is a delight, and she does eventually get invited up to the Robinsons' apartment to help them with a secret mission.

Utterly charming. I'd love a sequel! A great length to read aloud, too, like Our Friend Hedgehog by Lauren Castillo.

See also: Madame Badobedah by Sophie Dahl

"Time. It was such a simple word, but it swirled through Ella's mind. The way it made people hurry or wait. How small it could be, like sand falling in an hourglass. How vast it could be, like all the seconds of her life that led up to this one." (121) ( )