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All-of-a-Kind Family #3
Sydney Taylor More All Of A Kind Family (Paperback) - Common
In the third book of Sydney Taylor's classic children's series, Ella finds a boyfriend and Henny disagrees with Papa over her curfew. Thus continues the tale of a Jewish family of five sisters-Ella, Henny, Sarah, Charlotte and Gertie-and little brother, Charlie, living at the turn of the century in New York's Lower East Side. Entertaining and educational, this book brings to life the joys and fears of that time and place.
Unknown Binding
First published January 1, 1954
104 people are currently reading
1688 people want to read
About the author
Sydney Taylor
72 books158 followers Taylor was born on October 31, 1904 on New York City's Lower East Side. Her Jewish immigrant family lived in poverty conditions, but they felt great respect and appreciation for the country that gave them hope and opportunities for the future. This childhood led Taylor eventually into writing.
Taylor started working as a secretary after she graduated from high school, married her husband, and spent her nights with the Lenox Hill Players, a theater group. As an actress, she also learned modern dance, which she thoroughly enjoyed. After dancing with the Martha Graham Dance Company, Taylor took time off to have her one and only child, a daughter. As her daughter grew up Taylor would tell her stories about her own childhood. Because of her daughter's inquiries, Taylor wrote down her memories and then tucked them away in a drawer.
While Taylor was working at a nonprofit summer camp directing and choreographing dance and dramatics, her husband saw an announcement about a writing contest. Unbeknownst to his wife, he sent in her manuscript about her childhood. A short time later Taylor received word that an editor from Wilcox and Follett wanted to publish her work. Surprised and somewhat nervous, Taylor edited and revised her story, and All-of-a-Kind Family became a popular book. She had also won first prize in the contest. Taylor's success encouraged her to pen four more books in the series and write more short stories for books and magazines.
This author, actress, dancer, and choreographer then passed away from cancer on February 12, 1978. In her honor, the Sydney Taylor Book Award is given each year by the Jewish Association of Libraries to a book for young people that authentically portrays the Jewish experience.
In 2014, the All-of-a-Kind Family series is being re-released for another generation of readers to understand and appreciate Jewish immigrant life at the beginning of the twentieth century.
Taylor started working as a secretary after she graduated from high school, married her husband, and spent her nights with the Lenox Hill Players, a theater group. As an actress, she also learned modern dance, which she thoroughly enjoyed. After dancing with the Martha Graham Dance Company, Taylor took time off to have her one and only child, a daughter. As her daughter grew up Taylor would tell her stories about her own childhood. Because of her daughter's inquiries, Taylor wrote down her memories and then tucked them away in a drawer.
While Taylor was working at a nonprofit summer camp directing and choreographing dance and dramatics, her husband saw an announcement about a writing contest. Unbeknownst to his wife, he sent in her manuscript about her childhood. A short time later Taylor received word that an editor from Wilcox and Follett wanted to publish her work. Surprised and somewhat nervous, Taylor edited and revised her story, and All-of-a-Kind Family became a popular book. She had also won first prize in the contest. Taylor's success encouraged her to pen four more books in the series and write more short stories for books and magazines.
This author, actress, dancer, and choreographer then passed away from cancer on February 12, 1978. In her honor, the Sydney Taylor Book Award is given each year by the Jewish Association of Libraries to a book for young people that authentically portrays the Jewish experience.
In 2014, the All-of-a-Kind Family series is being re-released for another generation of readers to understand and appreciate Jewish immigrant life at the beginning of the twentieth century.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 225 reviews
January 1, 2019
Happy 2019 everyone. After struggling to find the perfect happy medium between life and reading last year, I decided to set my Goodreads challenge to one book. I can use this challenge to track my reading and also to gauge my pace for the year. Each year per my own tradition I read a childhood favorite on January 1 to get that first book out of the way. This year’s choice was More All of a Kind Family by Sydney Taylor, a series I read so many times as a kid that I have it memorized.
The year is 1915 which falls during my favorite era to read about (1870-1920). The United States changed much during those years, from a primarily rural society to a modern, urban one. Immigrants from all over Europe have flocked to America searching for a better life. Jewish families including the protagonists in this book pack into New York’s Lower East Side. Yet, life is changing. Family members have voiced intention to move uptown, to larger apartments or homes with gardens, more space, a better life for the next generation. A war is raging in Europe, and Americans hope that they will not get involved in it. Despite not having much, most immigrants were for the most part care free and happy with their lot in life. Although it was a struggle to get by, riches were measured in family and the all of a kind family appeared content with their portion.
As a Jewish girl, I loved reading about a historical Jewish family, now one hundred years in the past. The father owns a junk shop, just like my own great grandfather, and the family observe all the Jewish festivals throughout the year. This book includes chapters on Yom Kippur and Chanukah whereas others feature holidays as Sukkot and Purim. The daughters are getting older. Ella is nearly sixteen and has her first boyfriend, Jules Roth. Henny is nearly fourteen and would rather hangout with friends rather than family. Only Sarah, Charlotte, Gertie, and young Charlie spend most of their time with the family. The big news is that their bachelor uncle Hyman will finally be getting married. The entire book is centered around the family’s preparations for his marriage to Lena Cohen, who naturally fits into the family from their first meeting. Even more than thirty years later, I still get giddy when Hyman brings Lena to visit the family for the first time and tears of joy when they get engaged. Because so much of Jewish life is centered on celebrations and festivals, these middle grade books stand the test of time nearly seventy years after their first publication, a classic series for Jewish girls from all walks of life.
It is always a pleasure for me to revisit the favorite fictional family of my youth. The family is on their way uptown to the Bronx with only one book in the series remaining. Both the parents and girls have one eye on the future and the other on the past, and, as a reader, I always hoped that Ella and Jules would eventually get married, even though Taylor never wrote more books in the series to follow through with that story arc. Being that I have owned the series since I was able to read- the first chapter books I ever owned- I can revisit these treasures whenever I want. I usually save my time with them for gloomy and snowy days. And now my Goodreads challenge for the year is completed.
5 stars
The year is 1915 which falls during my favorite era to read about (1870-1920). The United States changed much during those years, from a primarily rural society to a modern, urban one. Immigrants from all over Europe have flocked to America searching for a better life. Jewish families including the protagonists in this book pack into New York’s Lower East Side. Yet, life is changing. Family members have voiced intention to move uptown, to larger apartments or homes with gardens, more space, a better life for the next generation. A war is raging in Europe, and Americans hope that they will not get involved in it. Despite not having much, most immigrants were for the most part care free and happy with their lot in life. Although it was a struggle to get by, riches were measured in family and the all of a kind family appeared content with their portion.
As a Jewish girl, I loved reading about a historical Jewish family, now one hundred years in the past. The father owns a junk shop, just like my own great grandfather, and the family observe all the Jewish festivals throughout the year. This book includes chapters on Yom Kippur and Chanukah whereas others feature holidays as Sukkot and Purim. The daughters are getting older. Ella is nearly sixteen and has her first boyfriend, Jules Roth. Henny is nearly fourteen and would rather hangout with friends rather than family. Only Sarah, Charlotte, Gertie, and young Charlie spend most of their time with the family. The big news is that their bachelor uncle Hyman will finally be getting married. The entire book is centered around the family’s preparations for his marriage to Lena Cohen, who naturally fits into the family from their first meeting. Even more than thirty years later, I still get giddy when Hyman brings Lena to visit the family for the first time and tears of joy when they get engaged. Because so much of Jewish life is centered on celebrations and festivals, these middle grade books stand the test of time nearly seventy years after their first publication, a classic series for Jewish girls from all walks of life.
It is always a pleasure for me to revisit the favorite fictional family of my youth. The family is on their way uptown to the Bronx with only one book in the series remaining. Both the parents and girls have one eye on the future and the other on the past, and, as a reader, I always hoped that Ella and Jules would eventually get married, even though Taylor never wrote more books in the series to follow through with that story arc. Being that I have owned the series since I was able to read- the first chapter books I ever owned- I can revisit these treasures whenever I want. I usually save my time with them for gloomy and snowy days. And now my Goodreads challenge for the year is completed.
5 stars
April 7, 2013
I am thoroughly enjoying these books. I think that I read only the first book as a kid, and now I’ve just read book 3 and I plan to read book 4 soon. For now I’m skipping 2 and 5, though I might go back and read book 2 at some point.
I love this family. I especially loved Sarah in the first book, and in this book I loved Sarah and Ella, and Charlotte too, and Mama and Papa of course, as well as assorted other relatives, friends, and neighbors.
The experience of Jewish culture and life in NYC’s lower east side of nearly 100 years ago is lovingly captured. In my opinion, this is the best kind of historical fiction, a wonderful story with interesting characters (based on the author’s family) and getting a feeling for how they lived in another place & time.
Even though this book works fine for a standalone book, I really feel that the first book should be read first. A lot of intro material is left out, including the ages of the daughters.
This book would make for a perfect family read aloud book. Each chapter manages to stand on its own, telling its own story. It’s a perfect book for a chapter a night bedtime reading. Each chapter is a gem. If I’d read this at ages 8-10, I think I would have loved the telling time clock chapter the best; I’d have felt superior since I learned to tell time as soon as I turned 5, at the beginning of kindergarten, but I know many students in my 3rd grade class still didn’t have that ability.
My borrowed library copy has a photo of Sydney Taylor. I love how the pictures of Sarah in the book look a bit like her.
The illustrations are delightful and capture scenes right out of the story.
Fabulous book and series! I can’t wait to get to book 4; it’s already on reserve at the library. I can tell there are going to be some major changes for the family and I’m eager to read about what happens in their lives.
I love this family. I especially loved Sarah in the first book, and in this book I loved Sarah and Ella, and Charlotte too, and Mama and Papa of course, as well as assorted other relatives, friends, and neighbors.
The experience of Jewish culture and life in NYC’s lower east side of nearly 100 years ago is lovingly captured. In my opinion, this is the best kind of historical fiction, a wonderful story with interesting characters (based on the author’s family) and getting a feeling for how they lived in another place & time.
Even though this book works fine for a standalone book, I really feel that the first book should be read first. A lot of intro material is left out, including the ages of the daughters.
This book would make for a perfect family read aloud book. Each chapter manages to stand on its own, telling its own story. It’s a perfect book for a chapter a night bedtime reading. Each chapter is a gem. If I’d read this at ages 8-10, I think I would have loved the telling time clock chapter the best; I’d have felt superior since I learned to tell time as soon as I turned 5, at the beginning of kindergarten, but I know many students in my 3rd grade class still didn’t have that ability.
My borrowed library copy has a photo of Sydney Taylor. I love how the pictures of Sarah in the book look a bit like her.
The illustrations are delightful and capture scenes right out of the story.
Fabulous book and series! I can’t wait to get to book 4; it’s already on reserve at the library. I can tell there are going to be some major changes for the family and I’m eager to read about what happens in their lives.
March 30, 2023
This is a thoroughly delightful and charming story! I love that the girls are getting older and wrestling with new problems. I love how close the parents and kids are. I love Uncle Hyman and Lena and their moving storyline. I love the details about Jewish food and holidays and the boisterous, noisy, dance-filled wedding towards the end. I love that the family gets a chance to move to a new neighborhood. I look forward to seeing how that will affect them.
December 17, 2024
Yes, just what the doctor ordered after reading about the Holocaust. Cozy Jewish family stories--what could be a better balm for the soul?
The edition I read this time around had a lovely foreword by the late June Cummins, Sydney Taylor's biographer. Cummins explains a bit of the publishing history of More All-of-a-Kind Family, which came out in 1954, a year after the executions of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg. Taylor's editor Esther Meeks encouraged Taylor to "Americanize" her books (All-of-a-Kind Family was being edited for publication during the height of the Rosenberg trial). An earlier edition of More shows the children celebrating May Day, with little Charlie in Uncle Sam garb as described on p. 105. As Cummins points out, May Day is not really an American holiday, but a pagan one dating farther back in history, and eventually May 1 became a workers' holiday around the world (the USA observes it on the first Monday in September). However, the Jewishness of the stories still marks the series. Yom Kippur and Hanukkah are celebrated, with illustrations showing candle-lighting, and a few prayers and songs are included, along with descriptions of traditional foods and activities.
Over the years, the immigrant nation of America has asked, can non-Protestant religious identities be "American?" Taylor demonstrates that Jewish and American identities can coexist in a happy family. As the family moves to the Bronx in the next book, they encounter a world outside their insular Jewish community (the Gentile characters in All-of-a-Kind Family were suggestions by Meeks, not part of Taylor's original story, but she worked them in seamlessly). Taylor's writing is effective, regardless of culture, when it comes to her humor and memorable characters. When she writes about culture, there is a note of genuine love for these practices that makes them enjoyable to read rather than dry descriptions. Even with episodic chapters, the stories stack on one another to create an enjoyable children's novel. For anyone hoping to communicate cultural practices to children outside of the community in which they are practiced, Taylor is a wise guide. I kept thinking of Maud Hart Lovelace's Betsy books when reading this. The locations are very different, and Ella is a few years younger than Betsy. Yet, each series shows American girlhood at the turn of the century with humor, pathos, and clarity. Taylor's picture of Jewish girlhood is just as memorable and nostalgic for me as Lovelace's, though culturally I have everything to share with Betsy and not as much with Ella and her sisters. The American experience--the human experience--goes across cultural boundaries.
The Association of Jewish Libraries gives out annual Sydney Taylor Book Awards (see here) and I plan to read through some of them. Taylor may have made some noble compromises on her way to publishing these books, but she opened the door for more mainstream publishers to put forth Jewish children's literature, and for that we can all be grateful.
The edition I read this time around had a lovely foreword by the late June Cummins, Sydney Taylor's biographer. Cummins explains a bit of the publishing history of More All-of-a-Kind Family, which came out in 1954, a year after the executions of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg. Taylor's editor Esther Meeks encouraged Taylor to "Americanize" her books (All-of-a-Kind Family was being edited for publication during the height of the Rosenberg trial). An earlier edition of More shows the children celebrating May Day, with little Charlie in Uncle Sam garb as described on p. 105. As Cummins points out, May Day is not really an American holiday, but a pagan one dating farther back in history, and eventually May 1 became a workers' holiday around the world (the USA observes it on the first Monday in September). However, the Jewishness of the stories still marks the series. Yom Kippur and Hanukkah are celebrated, with illustrations showing candle-lighting, and a few prayers and songs are included, along with descriptions of traditional foods and activities.
Over the years, the immigrant nation of America has asked, can non-Protestant religious identities be "American?" Taylor demonstrates that Jewish and American identities can coexist in a happy family. As the family moves to the Bronx in the next book, they encounter a world outside their insular Jewish community (the Gentile characters in All-of-a-Kind Family were suggestions by Meeks, not part of Taylor's original story, but she worked them in seamlessly). Taylor's writing is effective, regardless of culture, when it comes to her humor and memorable characters. When she writes about culture, there is a note of genuine love for these practices that makes them enjoyable to read rather than dry descriptions. Even with episodic chapters, the stories stack on one another to create an enjoyable children's novel. For anyone hoping to communicate cultural practices to children outside of the community in which they are practiced, Taylor is a wise guide. I kept thinking of Maud Hart Lovelace's Betsy books when reading this. The locations are very different, and Ella is a few years younger than Betsy. Yet, each series shows American girlhood at the turn of the century with humor, pathos, and clarity. Taylor's picture of Jewish girlhood is just as memorable and nostalgic for me as Lovelace's, though culturally I have everything to share with Betsy and not as much with Ella and her sisters. The American experience--the human experience--goes across cultural boundaries.
The Association of Jewish Libraries gives out annual Sydney Taylor Book Awards (see here) and I plan to read through some of them. Taylor may have made some noble compromises on her way to publishing these books, but she opened the door for more mainstream publishers to put forth Jewish children's literature, and for that we can all be grateful.
March 4, 2011
Oh, now this one stands up to the re-read. Lovely, lovely book. Evocative of the Lower East Side, poised before the First World War. The family is doing better financially, and there's The Wedding to look forward to and be part of.
My favorite bit in this book is when Charlie goes downstairs to solemnly tell the shopkeeper, "My mama don't smile on me."
This one gets tucked back on the shelf for certain.
My favorite bit in this book is when Charlie goes downstairs to solemnly tell the shopkeeper, "My mama don't smile on me."
This one gets tucked back on the shelf for certain.
November 16, 2018
The All-of-a-Kind Family return in this second delightful tale - and yes, despite the effort of some to re-order these by chronology, More All-of-a-Kind Family is the second book! - and their adventures here are more fun, more amusing, more poignant, and more heartwarming than in their first, the eponymous
All-of-a-Kind Family
! The book opens with the marvelous "Lena the Greena" chapter, which introduces the titular Lena who, in an act of bravery, saves . From this dramatic beginning, the narrative moves on, once again chronicling matters large and small in the life of this loving, close-knit Jewish family living on the Lower East Side of New York City during the early years of the twentieth century. Here we see eldest daughter Ella experiencing her very first crush (begun at the library, of course!), we witness fun-loving Henny getting into quite a scrape (for which her friend Fanny pays the price!), and we follow along as youngest daughter Gertie finally learns to tell time. We have the amusement of baby Charlie's chapter, in which he toddles up and down the stairs until he finally gets what he wants: namely, his mother to smile at him. But then we have the heartbreak of the chapters in which Lena becomes ill, and her marriage to Uncle Hyman is called off. The book closes with a momentous change, as the family prepare to move away from the crowded Lower East Side, to the leafy uptown Bronx...
I adore all of the books about the All-of-a-Kind family, but this may be my very favorite. There is a deepening of feeling in More All-of-a-Kind Family that is immensely moving, a sense that the people being depicted are real, walking right out of the 1910s, across the pages of the book, and into my heart. The romantic in me loved the story-line involving Charlie and the Library Lady in the first entry in the series, but the relationship between Uncle Hyman and Lena here is so much more real to me, so much more precious. I get teary EVERY SINGLE TIME I read the exchange between Mama and Lena at the house in Far Rockaway, in which Mama attempts to reason with a hurting and very stubborn Lena. I can still recall the revelation it was to me, reading this for the first time as a young girl, that one could act with the conviction of doing right, of sparing others, but really be motivated by a certain kind of thoughtless self-involvement. I feel proud EVERY SINGLE TIME I read Papa's little speech at the end of the book, in which he tells his girls that America is a truly wonderful country, where everyone has the chance to better themselves. Then I get teary again (EVERY SINGLE TIME) when he maintains that they, the All-of-a-Kind Family, have never been poor, because they have had each other. Although all the books are marvelous, and although I tend to reread the first book most often, this second installment is the absolute best in my opinion - a masterpiece of children's literature! Recommended to everyone who reads, with the caveat that they should read All-of-a-Kind Family first.
I adore all of the books about the All-of-a-Kind family, but this may be my very favorite. There is a deepening of feeling in More All-of-a-Kind Family that is immensely moving, a sense that the people being depicted are real, walking right out of the 1910s, across the pages of the book, and into my heart. The romantic in me loved the story-line involving Charlie and the Library Lady in the first entry in the series, but the relationship between Uncle Hyman and Lena here is so much more real to me, so much more precious. I get teary EVERY SINGLE TIME I read the exchange between Mama and Lena at the house in Far Rockaway, in which Mama attempts to reason with a hurting and very stubborn Lena. I can still recall the revelation it was to me, reading this for the first time as a young girl, that one could act with the conviction of doing right, of sparing others, but really be motivated by a certain kind of thoughtless self-involvement. I feel proud EVERY SINGLE TIME I read Papa's little speech at the end of the book, in which he tells his girls that America is a truly wonderful country, where everyone has the chance to better themselves. Then I get teary again (EVERY SINGLE TIME) when he maintains that they, the All-of-a-Kind Family, have never been poor, because they have had each other. Although all the books are marvelous, and although I tend to reread the first book most often, this second installment is the absolute best in my opinion - a masterpiece of children's literature! Recommended to everyone who reads, with the caveat that they should read All-of-a-Kind Family first.
August 10, 2020
This book focuses on their Uncle Hyman’s relationship and wedding and the family’s interaction with that. It also has some more serious themes as infantile paralysis becomes an epidemic which I had never heard of before but is a true historical fact.
November 3, 2017
These books were my childhood. <3
November 11, 2018
Returning to these delightful characters is like visiting with old friends.
Everyone is growing up, and Charlie is no longer a baby. It's fun to read about the Jewish traditions, and life on the East Side. There's excitement, laughter, tears, and a bit of romance in this book (though not what you might except at first).
I will be rereading this again, I'm sure.
Everyone is growing up, and Charlie is no longer a baby. It's fun to read about the Jewish traditions, and life on the East Side. There's excitement, laughter, tears, and a bit of romance in this book (though not what you might except at first).
I will be rereading this again, I'm sure.
April 18, 2023
I loved this series growing up!
September 15, 2019
In MORE ALL-OF-A-KIND FAMILY set in 1916 two years after the first story, young Charlie is a toddler and Ella gets a boyfriend, among other changes. The sisters’ personalities are more distinct.
Written over half a century ago, some of the dated customs will need explanation, particularly pigeon killing as a way to rid the birds. I didn’t remember that part from reading the books as a kid, though it might have gone over my head in third grade. The ALL-OF-A-KIND FAMILY books were amongst my favorites aa a child. Jewish representation, with explanations woven into the story for those who don’t understand certain foods or practices, is as important as much now as when the stories were first written.
Written over half a century ago, some of the dated customs will need explanation, particularly pigeon killing as a way to rid the birds. I didn’t remember that part from reading the books as a kid, though it might have gone over my head in third grade. The ALL-OF-A-KIND FAMILY books were amongst my favorites aa a child. Jewish representation, with explanations woven into the story for those who don’t understand certain foods or practices, is as important as much now as when the stories were first written.
March 11, 2021
The success of Sydney Taylor's first novel meant that she had greater freedom in this sequel, so her socialist leanings are less obscured and her interest in representing Jewish communities is no longer compromised by editorial concerns over what that means in terms of their identity as American. So here she includes details of the neighbourhood May Day celebrations, the terrible fear aroused by an epidemic of infantile paralysis, and the slowly-unfolding, unlikely romance between recent immigrant Lena and the family's scruffy, bachelor uncle Hyman. Illustrated by Mary Stevens.
October 29, 2013
I squealed aloud when I saw this in my library's list of downloadable audio books. I've loved it forever, and listening to it as I drifted off to sleep several nights running was sheer delight. What I noticed this time The girls are so real, and Charlie so endearing. Heartily recommended.
April 9, 2020
I couldn't remember which one had the quarantine (the first one) so re-read this one to see. I loved these as a kid and love them still.
April 13, 2024
I just love these books! I’m thoroughly enjoying returning to them via audiobook. I had completely forgotten about the Uncle Hyman and Lena storyline and it was wonderful. This was a delight from start to finish and I can’t wait to start the next one!
February 16, 2018
lizzie: i love this book, but there are many sad parts.
May 31, 2020
Another sweet family story. The children are all a bit older now, but their adventures continue. I enjoyed this book as much as the previous one.
Read
July 16, 2025yeah i cried & what about it
November 8, 2022
Each book in the series is just getting better and better. I just love this family to pieces! And the stories are so fun, many are light-hearted and all of them possess little nuggets of valuable truth.
Ages: 9 - 12
Cleanliness:
Children's Bad Words
Mild Obscenities & Substitutions - 1 Incident: Aww heck
Religious Profanities - 9 Incidents: Goodness, For Heaven’s sake, Gee, Where in Heaven’s name, My gracious
Religious & Supernatural - 1 Incident: The Jewish family celebrates Yom Kippur. They discuss their traditions, the Bible and why they fast.
Romance Related - 9 Incidents: There is dancing mentioned here and there throughout the book.
Ella is excited to go to the library each week because there is a boy there that she can tell likes her. She likes him. A relationship develops (they date) but it is told more matter-of-fact than mushy. An older man asks if he can invite a special lady friend to the celebration. A girl gets giddy and giggly around a boy. Boys and girls are hanging out and dancing together. A boy and girl go on a date together. They hold hands, he holds her arm, they link arms. A bride and groom kiss. Of an older woman: “She pulled the torn and soiled blouse down over her full bosom.” Girls make a joke about how a woman is big-chested.
Attitudes/Disobedience - 2 Incidents: A girl argues with her father about curfew and learns a lesson. A girl lies about knowing how to tell time and learns a lesson.
Conversation Topics - 5 Incidents: Mentions snuff and schnapps. There is a fake cigar mentioned.
A family, including children, drink wine to celebrate an engagement. Two children wear a red devil costume and a witch costume. A third is Puss-in-Boots. Mentions Halloween candy.
Parent Takeaway
A sweet story about a loving family and how the father and mother purposefully run their home. They are devout Jews so the mention and explanation of their celebrations and feasts is part of the story. 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. There is dating and dancing in the book. The boy/girl mentions are not fantasized or lengthy.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! And be sure to check out my bio page to learn a little about me and the Picture Book/Chapter Book Calendars I sell on Etsy!
Ages: 9 - 12
Cleanliness:
Children's Bad Words
Mild Obscenities & Substitutions - 1 Incident: Aww heck
Religious Profanities - 9 Incidents: Goodness, For Heaven’s sake, Gee, Where in Heaven’s name, My gracious
Religious & Supernatural - 1 Incident: The Jewish family celebrates Yom Kippur. They discuss their traditions, the Bible and why they fast.
Romance Related - 9 Incidents: There is dancing mentioned here and there throughout the book.
Ella is excited to go to the library each week because there is a boy there that she can tell likes her. She likes him. A relationship develops (they date) but it is told more matter-of-fact than mushy. An older man asks if he can invite a special lady friend to the celebration. A girl gets giddy and giggly around a boy. Boys and girls are hanging out and dancing together. A boy and girl go on a date together. They hold hands, he holds her arm, they link arms. A bride and groom kiss. Of an older woman: “She pulled the torn and soiled blouse down over her full bosom.” Girls make a joke about how a woman is big-chested.
Attitudes/Disobedience - 2 Incidents: A girl argues with her father about curfew and learns a lesson. A girl lies about knowing how to tell time and learns a lesson.
Conversation Topics - 5 Incidents: Mentions snuff and schnapps. There is a fake cigar mentioned.
A family, including children, drink wine to celebrate an engagement. Two children wear a red devil costume and a witch costume. A third is Puss-in-Boots. Mentions Halloween candy.
Parent Takeaway
A sweet story about a loving family and how the father and mother purposefully run their home. They are devout Jews so the mention and explanation of their celebrations and feasts is part of the story. 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. There is dating and dancing in the book. The boy/girl mentions are not fantasized or lengthy.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! And be sure to check out my bio page to learn a little about me and the Picture Book/Chapter Book Calendars I sell on Etsy!
August 2, 2010
The best thing about these books is the lingering, loving way she describes meals. The making-latkes episode is one of the most exciting things I've read in months. Overall, not quite as charming as the first. Least expected sentence:
'"I'd better get out my Prince Albert," Papa said.'
'"I'd better get out my Prince Albert," Papa said.'
July 24, 2023
These books are just truly lovely. Made sickie a pallet on the floor next to the kitchen and she and I listened while I batch cooked.
We both laughed at the accidental spanking, and had good conversations about Hanukkah, polio, and tenement life.
We both laughed at the accidental spanking, and had good conversations about Hanukkah, polio, and tenement life.
January 9, 2018
The children of an immigrant family enjoy their times together with gusto and humor as they celebrate their Jewish faith and life in the lower East Side of New York City in the early 1900s.
Want to read
March 8, 2021*************************
1.All-of-a-Kind Family
2.All-of-a-Kind Family Downtown
3.More All-of-a-Kind Family
4.All-of-a-Kind Family Uptown
5.Ella of All-of-a-Kind Family
1.All-of-a-Kind Family
2.All-of-a-Kind Family Downtown
3.More All-of-a-Kind Family
4.All-of-a-Kind Family Uptown
5.Ella of All-of-a-Kind Family
May 8, 2020
A pleasant enough little evening time read, in which the family continues to solve the problems of new friends. I was surprised to read of "the Jewish language"--surely a Jewish author who presents and explains the holidays so well could have explained what Yiddish is? I was also surprised that the dancing began before the wedding ceremony instead of after!
A nice little read with minimum effort.
A nice little read with minimum effort.
March 21, 2021
Beautiful stories with this lovable family. Great reminders that we’re never poor when we have love. I think I liked this one just as much as the first one, and it made me really hungry for a good latke! 😃
March 27, 2024
It is interesting to read a book from long ago and see how children's literature has changed over the years. Things that were acceptable years ago such as spanking would not necessarily be used today in literature. It can feel uncomfortable to read. Yet it is reminiscent of my childhood so brings back great memories.
August 22, 2017
อบอุ่น นุ่มนวล ดีต่อใจ
June 7, 2023
This series has such a special place in my heart from childhood, this book is a delight ❤️
February 12, 2024
Infant paralysis was running rampant through the city. This really reminded me of our covid times. It was a very scary time.
As the children get older, there are new adventures.
As the children get older, there are new adventures.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 225 reviews