Vanderbeekers do it again, another great book full of life lessons done so very well. ( )

This book was such a fun read!! I loved seeing all of these characters again. I liked the different characters we had in this read, it def shook up the series. I also thought this book handled complicated realtionships with grandparents in a really fun way. I also the mystery and adventure elements that were tossed in. It was a really quick read and I am so excited for the next book in this series. It was such a fun read that put a smile on my face. ( )

This book was such a fun read!! I loved seeing all of these characters again. I liked the different characters we had in this read, it def shook up the series. I also thought this book handled complicated realtionships with grandparents in a really fun way. I also the mystery and adventure elements that were tossed in. It was a really quick read and I am so excited for the next book in this series. It was such a fun read that put a smile on my face. ( )

I just love the Vanderbeeker family!
They always have a goal and the kids work hard towards that goal, no matter the obstacles.

In this one we get to meet their somewhat difficult maternal grandparents and learn more about their paternal grandparents as well. And some tough issues are handled.

A love of NYC is on full display.
Library love has representation in this one as well.
I was also ticked that in the story there was a casual shout out to another popular recent juvenile fiction title, Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia. ( )

The kids are gradually growing up. They’re now each two years older than they were in the first book.

Great characters! Great family! Great neighbors. Great sense of community! Great food!

Laugh out loud stories within the story. I came near (usually happy) tears at a couple places too.

I do appreciate that the youngest two children, both girls, are vegetarians. Definitely not vegans but at least vegetarians, and I love how the family supports their choice. (I would be deliriously happy if a regular character from this book would be a vegan, even if it wasn’t one of the children.)

I love the independence of the kids. I love how the family members all contribute to the running of the household.

I like the complicated relationships in the story. I appreciate showing some difficulties but then having the difficulties resolved in a mostly realistic way.

This book’s story looks as though it will lead right into the next story in the sixth book in this series. I cannot wait. Seriously, it’s going to be difficult to wait!

While I am still grateful being able to borrow e-copies from the library since I do not want to go into the library to pick up books and my library has stopped offering outdoor pickup, I’m once again hating e-books. (This was a Kindle edition borrowed via Overdrive from my library.) At the end in the author’s note she mentions the map on the end papers, missing from my edition. I love maps in books and would have loved to have seen it. There are a few charming illustrations but now I’m wondering if some were missing. It seemed as though there were fewer than in the first four books. I cannot wait to read paper books again! I wish I could own all the books in this series, in paper, preferably in hardcover.

Highly recommend this book and this series for girls and for boys ages 8-11, and all the way up for older readers who enjoy children’s literature. ( )