The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan Glaser

The Vanderbeeker family includes two parents, four kids and three pets.  They have lived in the same brownstone in Harlem as long as any of the kids can remember.  One day, right before

Christmas, their landlord and upstairs neighbor decides he is not going to renew their lease.  The kids are horrified at the thought of having to move, so they start a campaign to convince reclusive old Mr. Biederman that he really does not want to make them leave.  

This was a really interesting book to read right after reading Ghost Boys.  I kind of think that Ghost Boys with its tales of gun violence and drug dealers on every corner is a more realistic view of what Harlem is probably like than this book where everyone on their block is their friend. 

That said, I enjoyed this book. The antics of the kids are funny and each child has an individual and endearing personality.  It has great parent/child relationships, and all the protagonists are trying to do what is right.  It reminded me a lot of the Penderwicks series.  Since the story takes place during the Christmas season, it is a good choice for a read-aloud over Christmas break or as a book on CD to listen to during a holiday road trip. (2017, 297 p.)