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The Vanderbeekers #7
The Vanderbeekers Ever After: Great for Holiday and Christmas Reading or Gifting
The bestselling Vanderbeeker family finds love and hope in hard times as they face the challenge of a serious illness with the support of their Harlem community. The Vanderbeekers are looking forward to the wedding of two of their favorite people! But when one of the siblings receives a dire diagnosis, instead of preparing for a celebration, the family is suddenly spending their time at the hospital. And soon they are helping a newly-made and critically ill friend, even as they struggle with how their own lives have turned upside down. In the poignant conclusion to the bestselling Vanderbeekers series, the beloved family faces their biggest challenge yet, rising to meet it with the characteristic love, warmth, and hope that has won them a lasting home in the hearts of readers everywhere. The series
416 pages, Paperback
First published September 19, 2023
93 people are currently reading
3262 people want to read
About the author
Karina Yan Glaser
19 books1,113 followersOriginally from California, Karina came to New York City for college and has stuck around for nearly twenty years. She has had a varied career teaching and implementing literacy programs in family homeless shelters and recruiting healthcare professionals to volunteer in under resourced areas around the world. Now as a mother, one of her proudest achievements is raising two kids who can’t go anywhere without a book. She lives in Harlem with her husband, two daughters, dog, cat, and house rabbit.
Karina is a contributing editor at Book Riot where she writes about children's books and her life as a reader.
Karina is a contributing editor at Book Riot where she writes about children's books and her life as a reader.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 396 reviews
September 28, 2023
2.5/3 stars, personally.
I’m glad that I was wearing waterproof mascara when reading this book.
This wasn’t a bad ending to the series, but I do wish it could have gone longer with more happy events at the end or at least an epilogue or another book. It felt a bit rushed and abrupt.
This book felt sad and I’m pretty sure that’s due to the heavy prevalence of childhood cancer and one of The Vanderbeekers Kids going through it. Personally, I have very strong opinions on cancer treatments, so this was a harder book for me to stomach as I don’t agree with everything done in this book. I can totally see that the author was writing what she knows—like we’ve seen in the rest of the series—but this book didn’t have the charm that the other books in The Vanderbeekers series has had since it focused on a very serious and hard topic.
Sensitive readers might have a hard time with this book because of the sadness and death of a new side character. I was crying towards the end because of it myself. I would suggest parents to read along with their kiddos who are under age 11, especially if they’re sensitive because this book has a lot of emotions and may stir-up feelings for young readers. ***I know that this can be part of life for many, unfortunately, but please keep in mind that some may not want to read about a sad topic or it hits too close to home at that particular time.***
It ends on a hopeful note, yes, but not a complete “everything’s going to be okay and everyone will always be okay” note.
Main Content/Content Concerns:
One of the kids is sick and we see a lot of her symptoms (being sick, pale, dizzy, and passing out) and her siblings being upset and crying when she’s diagnosed; There’s lots of hospitals and doctors’ appointments & many mentions of both and children being sick and/or having cancer and going through chemotherapy (and some children having pain (on page), aggressive treatments (on page), losing hair (which Oliver is scared to see & happens to one of our one with leukemia and distresses her), and others passing away (research online and years ago with those diagnosed with leukemia & *Spoiler* ); Some stressed and worry induced words are said that hurt others’ feelings and the speaker feels guilty; One of the kids sees Mama Vanderbeeker cry and screams out to the sky because of everything and the kid holds her mom while she sobs, feeling like she was “keeping her mom from breaking into a million pieces.”;
Going to a funeral & grief; The Vanderbeeker kid who was close to the child who passed away has a dream of their friend “running so fast that he took flight, jumped into the sky, and flew into the horizon and beyond.” and received the news the next day of his passing.
Little details that may bother some readers or families (if they *don’t* bother you, please ignore this and don’t leave a comment about it):
Praising the medical community and doctors for their treatments and research; Wearing masks & mentions of wearing them because of germs; Mentions of wearing sunscreen for sun protection; Mentions of nurses having rainbow scrubs and lanyards & rainbow bandaids, ribbons, hats, and carpet in the hospital; A few mentions of tattoos; A few mentions of songs (Uptown Funk, Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen) & actors/singers (John Travolta), & a musical (Wicked); A mention of the book “Little Leaders”; A mention of the universe being billions of years old.
Language:
“oh my gosh” is said twice by a side character.
Spiritual:
When Laney asks if Papa ever is scared, he says “I do get scared, but then I take a deep breath and remind myself that I am surrounded by love, and I am surrounded by people I love, and that there is something bigger than me and bigger than all of us in this life. And that helps me be less afraid.”
A woman whose husband has recently passed away says that “it felt as if every breath was a prayer.” and one of the kids agrees.
Mentions of churches for a wedding & a pastor (including the family’s pastor—but no mentions of him visiting the hospital); Mentions of positive thinking and someone says she’s sending all her “healing thoughts” to someone; a few mentions of praying (including the characters praying over a meal).
Romance:
A kiss between a couple who is engaged and then another at their wedding.
I’m glad that I was wearing waterproof mascara when reading this book.
This wasn’t a bad ending to the series, but I do wish it could have gone longer with more happy events at the end or at least an epilogue or another book. It felt a bit rushed and abrupt.
This book felt sad and I’m pretty sure that’s due to the heavy prevalence of childhood cancer and one of The Vanderbeekers Kids going through it. Personally, I have very strong opinions on cancer treatments, so this was a harder book for me to stomach as I don’t agree with everything done in this book. I can totally see that the author was writing what she knows—like we’ve seen in the rest of the series—but this book didn’t have the charm that the other books in The Vanderbeekers series has had since it focused on a very serious and hard topic.
Sensitive readers might have a hard time with this book because of the sadness and death of a new side character. I was crying towards the end because of it myself. I would suggest parents to read along with their kiddos who are under age 11, especially if they’re sensitive because this book has a lot of emotions and may stir-up feelings for young readers. ***I know that this can be part of life for many, unfortunately, but please keep in mind that some may not want to read about a sad topic or it hits too close to home at that particular time.***
It ends on a hopeful note, yes, but not a complete “everything’s going to be okay and everyone will always be okay” note.
Main Content/Content Concerns:
One of the kids is sick and we see a lot of her symptoms (being sick, pale, dizzy, and passing out) and her siblings being upset and crying when she’s diagnosed; There’s lots of hospitals and doctors’ appointments & many mentions of both and children being sick and/or having cancer and going through chemotherapy (and some children having pain (on page), aggressive treatments (on page), losing hair (which Oliver is scared to see & happens to one of our one with leukemia and distresses her), and others passing away (research online and years ago with those diagnosed with leukemia & *Spoiler* ); Some stressed and worry induced words are said that hurt others’ feelings and the speaker feels guilty; One of the kids sees Mama Vanderbeeker cry and screams out to the sky because of everything and the kid holds her mom while she sobs, feeling like she was “keeping her mom from breaking into a million pieces.”;
Going to a funeral & grief; The Vanderbeeker kid who was close to the child who passed away has a dream of their friend “running so fast that he took flight, jumped into the sky, and flew into the horizon and beyond.” and received the news the next day of his passing.
Little details that may bother some readers or families (if they *don’t* bother you, please ignore this and don’t leave a comment about it):
Praising the medical community and doctors for their treatments and research; Wearing masks & mentions of wearing them because of germs; Mentions of wearing sunscreen for sun protection; Mentions of nurses having rainbow scrubs and lanyards & rainbow bandaids, ribbons, hats, and carpet in the hospital; A few mentions of tattoos; A few mentions of songs (Uptown Funk, Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen) & actors/singers (John Travolta), & a musical (Wicked); A mention of the book “Little Leaders”; A mention of the universe being billions of years old.
Language:
“oh my gosh” is said twice by a side character.
Spiritual:
When Laney asks if Papa ever is scared, he says “I do get scared, but then I take a deep breath and remind myself that I am surrounded by love, and I am surrounded by people I love, and that there is something bigger than me and bigger than all of us in this life. And that helps me be less afraid.”
A woman whose husband has recently passed away says that “it felt as if every breath was a prayer.” and one of the kids agrees.
Mentions of churches for a wedding & a pastor (including the family’s pastor—but no mentions of him visiting the hospital); Mentions of positive thinking and someone says she’s sending all her “healing thoughts” to someone; a few mentions of praying (including the characters praying over a meal).
Romance:
A kiss between a couple who is engaged and then another at their wedding.
October 6, 2023
What a lovely ending to this series. It was heartbreaking as one member of the family deals with a serious illness. But it perfectly shows the care and love this family has for each other.
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April 12, 2025
╰┈➤ ✿ ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ . . . :･*✧ ♩♪
。°⋆✫Cinderella ⇾ Steven Curtis Chapman✫⋆°。
0:50─●──────4:25
⇦ Ⅱ ⇨
❝ I do get scared, but then I take a deep breath and remind myself that I am surrounded by love, and I am surrounded by people I love, and that there is something bigger than me and bigger than all of us in this life. And that helps me be less afraid ❞
I can’t believe the Vanderbeekers is over. It’s been such a big part of my life and it’s sad to know that this will be the last of them all. Glaser had finally written “The End” even when I wasn’t ready for her to. This was a bittersweet ending.
As I shut the book, I was struck with an intense feeling of finality. And honestly, that’s what made me burst into tears. That I wouldn’t be able to forever watch these crazy kids grow up like I’ve watched my siblings grow, like how I’ve watched myself grow.
The subject matter was a little heavier than I was used to with this series, but I feel, with this being the end, Glaser needed to go out with a bang. And Vanderbeekers Ever After packs an emotional punch. It’s a rewarding ending to a series that has been my life for most of my years.
sexual:
two kisses between a couple that plans to get/is married
trigger:
cancer and cancer treatments as well as a children’s hospital filled with kids who are very sick
verdict: rated G/8+
。°⋆✫Cinderella ⇾ Steven Curtis Chapman✫⋆°。
0:50─●──────4:25
⇦ Ⅱ ⇨
❝ I do get scared, but then I take a deep breath and remind myself that I am surrounded by love, and I am surrounded by people I love, and that there is something bigger than me and bigger than all of us in this life. And that helps me be less afraid ❞
I can’t believe the Vanderbeekers is over. It’s been such a big part of my life and it’s sad to know that this will be the last of them all. Glaser had finally written “The End” even when I wasn’t ready for her to. This was a bittersweet ending.
As I shut the book, I was struck with an intense feeling of finality. And honestly, that’s what made me burst into tears. That I wouldn’t be able to forever watch these crazy kids grow up like I’ve watched my siblings grow, like how I’ve watched myself grow.
The subject matter was a little heavier than I was used to with this series, but I feel, with this being the end, Glaser needed to go out with a bang. And Vanderbeekers Ever After packs an emotional punch. It’s a rewarding ending to a series that has been my life for most of my years.
sexual:
two kisses between a couple that plans to get/is married
trigger:
cancer and cancer treatments as well as a children’s hospital filled with kids who are very sick
verdict: rated G/8+
September 26, 2023
The Best Children’s series
A series that every child should read and adore for many years to come. It should be right next to the Ramona Quimby series from my childhood.
I am sorry to the series end but it ended perfectly.
A series that every child should read and adore for many years to come. It should be right next to the Ramona Quimby series from my childhood.
I am sorry to the series end but it ended perfectly.
September 20, 2023
My kids and I were seriously disappointed by the final book in the Vanderbeeker's series. Even by the end of the first 2 chapters, my daughter complained she was bored by the plot and had no interest to continue reading it. I convinced her to give it another chance. Even still, we all agreed the storyline was lackluster, mainly depressing and missing the magic of the first 6 books. We have been eagerly awaiting this release and thought we would have a hard time putting the book down like the others but we were wrong. We have since returned the book.
September 23, 2023
cried on the plane reading the last 100 pages. these characters have my heart forever. 🤍
November 9, 2023
I love this middle grade series and am sad that this is the last book! I didn't realize that going in, but it became apparent as I read on. Many reviewers have noted that this entry isn't as lighthearted as the first six, although each of those had a sad aspect to them. I love how in each book there is a family crisis that pulls the kids together to solve and a countdown to an important event. The family crisis in Ever After is the diagnosis of a serious illness for one of the children, and the countdown is to the wedding of their landlord and friend, Mr. Beiderman, to their Aunt Penny. I thought the topic of the illness was handled realistically and sensitively and the wedding added hopefulness to the story.
A highly recommended series no matter your age!
Why I'm reading this: I love this series! It's great in audio, the only way I've experienced these books.
A highly recommended series no matter your age!
Why I'm reading this: I love this series! It's great in audio, the only way I've experienced these books.
November 8, 2023
I have a lot of mixed thoughts. While handled well, I felt like this was a very bad place to leave the series. We didn't get to see the conclusion on if the Vanderbeeker got better ultimately, and there was a very sad tone overall. Not like most of the others. My favorite part was what Oliver did for Laney. That was the sweetest.
October 13, 2023
Such a beautiful end to a beloved series. This story lacked the lightness of the previous books but the series remained true to itself. The family dynamic was strong and it was beautifully written.
March 11, 2024
A sweet end to an enjoyable series. Not a perfect series, but refreshingly decent for this day and age. The dumbest part of this one was a character shaving his head in solidarity with someone receiving chemo. If I ever have to get chemo and lose my hair, and you shave your head in solidarity, I will think you are very silly and tell you so in no uncertain terms. You have been warned. But if you shout "Go up, baldy! Go up, baldy!" at me, I shall love you forever and give you two teddy bears. And if you have no idea what THAT alludes to, go read 2 Kings chapter 2, you heathen!
🏃♂️🏃♂️🏃♂️🏃♂️🏃♂️🐻🐻👴
Glad they were able to keep the same very good narrator throughout the whole series.
🏃♂️🏃♂️🏃♂️🏃♂️🏃♂️🐻🐻👴
Glad they were able to keep the same very good narrator throughout the whole series.
October 4, 2023
This might be tricky for some. Not as light hearted as the rest of the series.
October 9, 2024
This is just an incredible YA series. So real. So lovely. Makes me laugh. Makes me want to keep reading YA.
March 17, 2024
A beautiful ending to a beautiful series but holy crap I cried so much. It was really hard to read about a character we knew and loved from six previous books going through such a terrible illness. But I thought the author handled the situation very well and I appreciated how she showed how it affected the rest of the family. I also thought the chaotic, rushed wedding was very Vanderbeeker-esque. And I loved how the wedding brought together so many characters from the previous books. Love this family so much!
December 20, 2023
I love all these books in this series! I highly recommend them for children. I have listened to them on audiobook. The narrator does such a wonderful job narrating. I hope the author will continue to use her. If there are more books.
It seems each of the books covers a different topic as the main theme. This one dealt with childhood cancer. There are lots of parts I cried, and my heart felt sad. The author did a lovely job showing the different reactions of the parents, the siblings, and of course the child who got cancer. there is a nice sense of community within the family as well as the neighborhood. The author balanced the difficulty of dealing with childhood cancer with some happy events going on with an upcoming wedding. So it wasn’t too maudlin. Very well written.
It seems each of the books covers a different topic as the main theme. This one dealt with childhood cancer. There are lots of parts I cried, and my heart felt sad. The author did a lovely job showing the different reactions of the parents, the siblings, and of course the child who got cancer. there is a nice sense of community within the family as well as the neighborhood. The author balanced the difficulty of dealing with childhood cancer with some happy events going on with an upcoming wedding. So it wasn’t too maudlin. Very well written.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 25, 2023
So so sad to say goodbye to this wonderful family, but oh, how they have touched my heart. I adored this book.
April 6, 2024
Ruby adores this series, and I’m going to miss it too. These stories center around a big family living in New York City, with strong values and relationships. Such a gentle and sweet way to expose kiddos to some of the harder realities of life, but always with a generous sense of hope.
December 27, 2023
Oh, I am not ready to say goodbye to the Vanderbeekers. But if I must, and indeed, it seems the day has come, I'm glad to do so with an instalment that nears perfection. There is so much in here—and in all of the Vanderbeekers books—about our capacity to love and be loved, the many ways a community can manifest, and kindness as a radical act. This is a particularly heart-wrenching end, yet I appreciate that Glaser makes no effort to tidy up the Vanderbeekers' lives for the reader's benefit. She lets them be, lingering questions and all.
Let me wonder aloud too: reading these in my 20s, I'm reminded of a recent Anne Helen Petersen article about the adults in our lives beyond our parents who made/make us feel beloved. She deems these individuals "significant adults," and I'm curious if part of the reason I've fallen so hard for this series is that it is a lesson in being a significant adult, one who cares and loves their peers but also those older and younger then them (their community, if you will!) with unconditional abundance. Miss Josie and Steve and Elena and Aunt Peggy and Mr. B, etc., etc. teach us this. May we all live up to their example.
Article: https://annehelen.substack.com/p/one-...
A quote, for record-keeping: "I take a deep breath and remind myself that I am surrounded by love, and I am surrounded by people I love, and that there is something bigger than me and bigger than all of us in this life. And that helps me be less afraid." (My HEART!)
Let me wonder aloud too: reading these in my 20s, I'm reminded of a recent Anne Helen Petersen article about the adults in our lives beyond our parents who made/make us feel beloved. She deems these individuals "significant adults," and I'm curious if part of the reason I've fallen so hard for this series is that it is a lesson in being a significant adult, one who cares and loves their peers but also those older and younger then them (their community, if you will!) with unconditional abundance. Miss Josie and Steve and Elena and Aunt Peggy and Mr. B, etc., etc. teach us this. May we all live up to their example.
Article: https://annehelen.substack.com/p/one-...
A quote, for record-keeping: "I take a deep breath and remind myself that I am surrounded by love, and I am surrounded by people I love, and that there is something bigger than me and bigger than all of us in this life. And that helps me be less afraid." (My HEART!)
April 14, 2025
It was okay, but definitely not as good as the others.
September 25, 2023
Perfect ending to a perfect series. I love this family so much! 🥺🥺
October 22, 2023
A great ending for the series!! It made me cry multiple times and I really felt the emotions of the book. I love how fast of a read these are and they always kept me reading!
February 18, 2024
A powerful and fitting conclusion to the beautiful Vanderbeekers' series. We have loved every book in the series, which proved to be very consistent from start to finish. We are going to miss this wonderful -- believable and realistic -- family! Kudos to Karina Glaser on crafting a cast of such distinct, engaging, and interesting characters, and then developing them so smoothly and well throughout the series. The family values are positive and natural, not contrived, artificial, or overdone. The story narratives, plots, and subplots are all compelling and enjoyable, never falling into formulaic or clichéd ruts. And, again in this final book of the series, serious and sobering topics are dealt with in an appropriate and helpful way, with genuine nuance and respect. In this case, childhood illness and death are considered in a way that is truly moving. Made it tough to read some of the chapters aloud, as there were plenty of tears along the way! But well worth the investment of time and emotion. Highly recommended!
May 3, 2024
We finished! I had to read this one because it was so new it wasn’t on hoopla yet… made for some tears and quavering voice at the end. This is tough book with the family facing a serious disease for one of their kids. I loved once again how the family showed such love and love and love in the hard… what we are supposed to do. It was true of my experience with being in a hospital for a long period of time.. you do get very close to those going through similar experiences. It was great and we read the last 50 pages in the beautiful sun shine on Friday… a week before school is out.
December 3, 2024
Made me cry on an airplane, so I had to give it five stars.
This is such a fitting end to this beautiful series. It reminds us that loving those who leave us is so important as is grieving said person, that it's okay to take joy in a world even when sad things are happening to others, and that community and family is everything. It was written with such care and love that I honestly thought that Yan Glaser had a child who went through a leukemia diagnosis and treatment. When Mom Vanderbeeker screamed in the park, I felt it in my bones - this whole book and series was just fantastic and gorgeous!
This is such a fitting end to this beautiful series. It reminds us that loving those who leave us is so important as is grieving said person, that it's okay to take joy in a world even when sad things are happening to others, and that community and family is everything. It was written with such care and love that I honestly thought that Yan Glaser had a child who went through a leukemia diagnosis and treatment. When Mom Vanderbeeker screamed in the park, I felt it in my bones - this whole book and series was just fantastic and gorgeous!
December 29, 2023
I am going to miss the Vanderbeeker family so. The events of this final chapter in the Vanderbeeker saga really put the family through the ringer but, as always, they find ways to be there for each other and try to do as much good as they can for as many as they can. I am so glad Karina Yan Glaser has gifted us with this beautiful family. I have enjoyed every moment I've spent with them.
January 2, 2024
I’ll always love the Vanderbeekers ♥️ What a wonderful ride this series has been. Heartwarming and incredibly touching the whole way through.
I’ve always admired the way that this series deals with serious topics in such a child friendly manner and this book was a testament to that.
I’ve always admired the way that this series deals with serious topics in such a child friendly manner and this book was a testament to that.
December 17, 2023
MY. HEART. 😭💛
RTC
RTC
May 29, 2024
A really solid ending to this beloved series!
April 2, 2025
Such a bittersweet book but overall was extremely good and the entire series was very sweet. Love this series forever.
January 16, 2024
Finishing this book is so bittersweet after spending the last 8 years reading this series with my daughter. She describes the Vanderbeekers as her “comfort books”. Despite this one being the last, I’m sure they will be re-read many times over. Thank you, Karina Yan Glaser, for bringing this wonderful family’s stories into our life. ♥️🥹
November 18, 2023
This was a lovely end to the series. Hard subject matter if you are dealing with childhood cancer in your circles, but also I think it helps to understand the human experience and to know one is not alone.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 396 reviews