I LOVED these books when I was a little girl and read them over and over - I learned so much about the Jewish religion - how to be in a family, the power of love, the richness of the holidays - the joys of having sisters - I could see and smell what was happening in these books - I have been on the look out for them for some time as I want to purchase them for a few of the little people in my life

A continuation of the first book, it appears to start where All of a Kind Family left off with the birth of Charlie, the youngest child and only brother to Ella, Henny, Sarah, Charlotte, and Gertie. Like the first book; this one is a little more than a collection of anecdotes about the sisters. This is the story of how Guido, a young boy who sometimes stops by Papa's junk shop to sell things and Miss Carey the nurse who delivered Charlie become a family.

This continues the charming story of the 5 sisters. Includes description of how scary polio used to be.

Probably 3.5 stars--1, 3, and 4 are my favorites in this series. The parts about Mrs.Carey and Henny and the doll are the standouts, otherwise the whole thing is kind of a bummer.

On this year’s re-read, and being reminded that this is the second book chronologically in the series even though it was published later, I think my friend Wendy is onto something when she says it felt like the author decided she wanted to write about tenement houses. Worth a read, but nowhere near as good as the others.

The kids loved listening to this and I loved hearing it again for the first time in 35 years. A lovely installment in the series.

(3.5 stars)

This was such a feel good read. So sorry I missed that there were sequels when I was a kid!

I’d skipped this one and the Ella book when I read books 1, 3, and 4 because I’d been informed that this one had been written later (turns out not to be true, though it was published later) and that the tone and story were too different, and it was not worth reading. For me it was very worth reading, and I wish I’d read them “in order” meaning in the chronological order of the ages/lives of these family members. I do wish I’d read this book right after the first book. It’s just as good and the style & storyline fit in well with the other 3 books, All-of-a-Kind Family, More All-of-a-Kind Family, and All-of-a-Kind Family Uptown. The fifth Ella book seems least popular and I’m not sure whether or not I’ll read it, but I probably will eventually; I’d have rather the focus been on Sarah (Sydney). I’ve always felt particularly fond of Sarah, and did again here too, and this time I also had a particular soft spot in my heart for Henny. The additions of Guido and Miss Carey were wonderful. This story is a series of connected vignettes in a year in the life of this Jewish family. Wonderfully atmospheric historical fiction mostly taking place in NYC’s Lower East Side. I always learn a lot when I read these books. The characters are memorable and endearing. Charming illustrations.

This was published in the 70s, twenty years after the first three, so I was surprised to learn she’d written it back in the 50s. It felt different in writing style from the others, and less polished. Why do a few chapters go into first person?

I remember very little from this book and my childhood reads. In this read, I do like Miss Carey and the Settlement House. I love how their world is a little bigger in this one, with the House and the parks. I like exploring their neighborhood with them. But even a few weeks after rereading, I don’t remember much else of what happens.

More stories of a Jewish family, including Henny hiding in a barrel when she gets in trouble at school and Sarah giving up her birthday earrings to help her new friend Guido.

This book and the sweetness of these children is just so wonderful. I love this series.

I absolutely loved the first book in this series and found this one just as adorable. The family are all so wonderful and such dear characters! These would make great family read-alouds!

Ages: 9 - 12

Cleanliness:

Children's Bad Words
Mild Obscenities & Substitutions - 4 Incidents: cock (as in a bird), shucks, stupid, holy cats
Name Calling - 3 Incidents: scaredy cat, fraidy cat, that’s for sissies
Religious Profanities - 7 Incidents: for heaven’s sake, thank heavens, Gee, Goodness, Geewhiz, Gosh

Romance Related - 5 Incidents: Girls have a crush on a certain boy. An older girl says how handsome a boy is - just observance, not a crush etc. There is family dancing - non-romantic. An old woman has a dream about a beau coming courting. “And you know what Ma, … there was a dopey boy following Ella around the place. He was making goo-goo eyes at her the whole time. And Ma …”

Attitudes/Disobedience - 5 Incidents: A girl sticks her tongue out at her sister. A girl decides to rip her clothes so she looks poor and can get a doll. She tells a half-truth. She repents, makes amends and learns a lesson. A girl pushes her sister on a swing too high, knowing she doesn’t like it. She is sorry and makes up. A girl recollects taking something that wasn’t hers. She says it was just a joke, but she shivers at the thought. A girl gets up on the wrong side of the bed and she behaves poorly, learning some lessons though.

Conversation Topics - 4 Incidents: References the genie and Aladdin’s lamp. Mentions a beer saloon. Mentions a cigar box. Mentions wine.

Parent Takeaway
A sweet story about a loving family and how the father and mother purposefully run their home. The narration includes comments in the style of, "Henny knew she was being naughty and felt bad afterwards." There is always conclusions to wrong behaviors. The boy/girl mentions are not fantasized or lengthy.

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