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The Vanderbeekers #6
The Vanderbeekers on the Road
In this new adventure in the New York Times bestselling series, the Vanderbeekers depart Harlem to celebrate their dad's birthday. But their surprise road trip turns rocky when the younger kids try to keep their family from ever facing change.
Our beloved Harlem family is putting the VAN in Vanderbeekers as they hit the highway to give their dad the best birthday surprise EVER! Re-creating a road trip Papa never got the chance to take with his own father, the whole crew is packed and ready for a cross-country adventure.
Things get off to a rocky start when the car breaks down on their way to pick up Papa. But they really veer off course when Laney discovers that Jessie and Orlando are interviewing at a college once they get to California. How can they even think about leaving New York? Wouldn't that change their family? And how can she and her other siblings stop them?
Exploring themes of leaving home, embracing change, and the lessons to be learned when we go to a new place, The Vanderbeekers on the Road is every bit a journey.
The New York Times bestselling Vanderbeekers series is perfect for fans of the Penderwicks. As Booklist commented in a starred review: "Few families in children's literature are as engaging or amusing as the Vanderbeekers, even in times of turmoil."
The series includes:
The Vanderbeekers of 141st StreetThe Vanderbeekers and the Hidden GardenThe Vanderbeekers to the RescueThe Vanderbeekers Lost and FoundThe Vanderbeekers Make a WishThe Vanderbeekers on the Road
Our beloved Harlem family is putting the VAN in Vanderbeekers as they hit the highway to give their dad the best birthday surprise EVER! Re-creating a road trip Papa never got the chance to take with his own father, the whole crew is packed and ready for a cross-country adventure.
Things get off to a rocky start when the car breaks down on their way to pick up Papa. But they really veer off course when Laney discovers that Jessie and Orlando are interviewing at a college once they get to California. How can they even think about leaving New York? Wouldn't that change their family? And how can she and her other siblings stop them?
Exploring themes of leaving home, embracing change, and the lessons to be learned when we go to a new place, The Vanderbeekers on the Road is every bit a journey.
The New York Times bestselling Vanderbeekers series is perfect for fans of the Penderwicks. As Booklist commented in a starred review: "Few families in children's literature are as engaging or amusing as the Vanderbeekers, even in times of turmoil."
The series includes:
The Vanderbeekers of 141st StreetThe Vanderbeekers and the Hidden GardenThe Vanderbeekers to the RescueThe Vanderbeekers Lost and FoundThe Vanderbeekers Make a WishThe Vanderbeekers on the Road
5 pages, Audiobook
First published September 20, 2022
96 people are currently reading
3366 people want to read
About the author
Karina Yan Glaser
19 books1,118 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 348 reviews
November 21, 2022
Only the Vanderbeekers could take a cross country road trip with a 🐕, three 🐱, and a 🐔
If you take a road trip with the Vanderbeekers, expect a one-of-a-kind trip. Their first goal is to pick up Papa Vanderbeeker in Indiana since they still need to celebrate his birthday with a special present -- a road trip to California. So, off they go, in Ludwig Van. The states they visit along the way are featured with their state mottos throughout. As the group moves from NYC to points westward, we get some great ideas of sites to see -- like the Arch in St. Louis and the Grand Canyon in Arizona. Along the way they make new friends and even pick up a new pet. If you haven't spent time with the Vanderbeekers yet, you will want to start with Book #1: The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street. This is a family you will want to revisit each year with the new installment in the series. One of the highlights of my fall!
If you take a road trip with the Vanderbeekers, expect a one-of-a-kind trip. Their first goal is to pick up Papa Vanderbeeker in Indiana since they still need to celebrate his birthday with a special present -- a road trip to California. So, off they go, in Ludwig Van. The states they visit along the way are featured with their state mottos throughout. As the group moves from NYC to points westward, we get some great ideas of sites to see -- like the Arch in St. Louis and the Grand Canyon in Arizona. Along the way they make new friends and even pick up a new pet. If you haven't spent time with the Vanderbeekers yet, you will want to start with Book #1: The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street. This is a family you will want to revisit each year with the new installment in the series. One of the highlights of my fall!
October 30, 2022
I hesitate to write anything remotely negative about this series, because I've always loved it so much. But this novel was my least favorite so far. It felt rushed and superficial compared to the emotional depth of the first few novels in this series. Instead, this one almost felt a bit stressful to read, as the characters careened around the country, following one mishap after another. In particular, I was really disappointed in the decisions the younger kids made, and there was no true acknowledgment of what they did. It was glossed over and forgotten, which contributed to the lack of depth felt in the novel as a whole. I had a similar feeling reading book #5 in this series, and now the problem seems even worse. I hate to see such a beloved series start to feel formulaic and lose its emotional impact. I hope the next one will not feel so rushed and will take the time to let the plot and characters breathe more.
December 17, 2022
I read a borrowed Kindle edition via Libby at my public library. I’d also borrowed the audiobook to read simultaneously with the e-book but within a page I realized that I intensely disliked the narrator and would prefer my own interpretation so I read just the e-book. I’d been waiting for a hardcover edition but the queue was too long and I didn’t want to wait any longer to read this book than I already had.
Clever! Charming! Heartwarming!
I was giggling within pages. A part at the beginning and a part toward the end were particularly amusing.
I loved how Mr. B. and Orlando joined the family. I also loved seeing Aunt Penny.
I enjoyed some of the people they met along the way. In a way it was nice to have a change of pace and travel after five books set mostly in NYC but I know of missed the old neighborhood & the house and the neighbors. I think the cross country trip would have been a more enjoyable reading experience if the Carlsbad Caverns and the Grand Canyon and other locations had been described through the eyes of the characters or at all. Nothing to very little was written about the famous destinations and I did not get a good sense of any of them and no sense of the Grand Canyon, for instance. Not giving more details of the places visited was a missed opportunity.
I know that it was done out of a kind of love but what Laney and the other two younger kids did to two of the older ones really bothered me. I thought it would turn out okay anyway but while their reasoning fit their personalities their actions did not. It added a bit of excitement to the story but I could have done without it. It didn’t pan out exactly at I thought it would but it did turn out to be a kind-hearted resolution. The other storylines also were warm-hearted. This family and those they surround themselves with are wonderful.
I do appreciate that the kids seem real and they’re really good kids but they have flaws and weaknesses as well as strengths and virtues.
Their van’s name is great! I’m not big on naming inanimate objects including cars/vehicles (except for boats & ships) but I did love this van’s name.
The illustrations are wonderful and this book seemed to have more and more detailed ones than the previous five books. The only thing that was weird about them was the frequently appearing van was shown completely empty with no luggage and no animals and no people. One drawing of it would have sufficed.
“Wasn’t it funny how you could feel so drawn to home and still feel an urge to explore the whole world?”
I’m excited that there will be a book 7 coming out next year. I’m looking forward to reading it. These are great comfort reads. This sixth book was my least favorite Vanderbeekers story but I still really liked it.
The Vanderbeekers books are great for independent middle school readers and for reading aloud one to one and for families and for classrooms. Also recommended for readers who enjoy stories about large families and who love animals.
Clever! Charming! Heartwarming!
I was giggling within pages. A part at the beginning and a part toward the end were particularly amusing.
I loved how Mr. B. and Orlando joined the family. I also loved seeing Aunt Penny.
I enjoyed some of the people they met along the way. In a way it was nice to have a change of pace and travel after five books set mostly in NYC but I know of missed the old neighborhood & the house and the neighbors. I think the cross country trip would have been a more enjoyable reading experience if the Carlsbad Caverns and the Grand Canyon and other locations had been described through the eyes of the characters or at all. Nothing to very little was written about the famous destinations and I did not get a good sense of any of them and no sense of the Grand Canyon, for instance. Not giving more details of the places visited was a missed opportunity.
I know that it was done out of a kind of love but what Laney and the other two younger kids did to two of the older ones really bothered me. I thought it would turn out okay anyway but while their reasoning fit their personalities their actions did not. It added a bit of excitement to the story but I could have done without it. It didn’t pan out exactly at I thought it would but it did turn out to be a kind-hearted resolution. The other storylines also were warm-hearted. This family and those they surround themselves with are wonderful.
I do appreciate that the kids seem real and they’re really good kids but they have flaws and weaknesses as well as strengths and virtues.
Their van’s name is great! I’m not big on naming inanimate objects including cars/vehicles (except for boats & ships) but I did love this van’s name.
The illustrations are wonderful and this book seemed to have more and more detailed ones than the previous five books. The only thing that was weird about them was the frequently appearing van was shown completely empty with no luggage and no animals and no people. One drawing of it would have sufficed.
“Wasn’t it funny how you could feel so drawn to home and still feel an urge to explore the whole world?”
I’m excited that there will be a book 7 coming out next year. I’m looking forward to reading it. These are great comfort reads. This sixth book was my least favorite Vanderbeekers story but I still really liked it.
The Vanderbeekers books are great for independent middle school readers and for reading aloud one to one and for families and for classrooms. Also recommended for readers who enjoy stories about large families and who love animals.
April 8, 2023
3.5 stars!
Another fun Vanderbeeker book! I will say that this wasn't my favorite, but it had it's cute moments and good lessons.
Content Notes:
Language:1 ‘Holy smokes’, 1 ‘heck’, 6 ‘oh my gosh’s.
Laney thinks she sees a ghost (she believes in ghosts, but what she saw wasn’t a ghost); The family goes to Target (they love shopping at Target); Jessie & Orlando apply for a scholarship without telling their families to know because they don’t want to disappoint them if they don’t make it (the siblings learn about this and try many ways to keep them for applying and Miss the interviews (it gets a little devious with them creating a fake email account to send an email saying their interview has been changed)); There’s a mention of a man and his partner, but it’s unclear if it’s meant in a relationship way (they are both standing in a food truck line, one man says something and the other is described as “his partner agreed [with what he said]”); One of the children is almost hit by a car.
A couple mentions of Orlando’s mom disappearing and leaving him (this happened in a prior book); A mention of a creepy hotel looking like a place from a Halloween movie; A mention of flights being bad for the environment; A few mentions of famous scientists (Maria Merian, Alice Ball, and Rachel Carson); A mention of a llama named “Michelle O’Llama”.
Mention of a Museum of Paleontology, fossils, & the Eocene epoch (said to have started millions of years ago); A mention of one of the Vanderbeeker kids “sending a prayer into the universe” for someone & Laney praying a lot for something to happen and when something does happens, Oliver says it’s not because of her and comments that he’s “impressed you think the universe listens to you that much”.
A kiss by an adult couple; Mentions of boyfriends/girlfriends, dating, & dates.
Another fun Vanderbeeker book! I will say that this wasn't my favorite, but it had it's cute moments and good lessons.
Content Notes:
Language:1 ‘Holy smokes’, 1 ‘heck’, 6 ‘oh my gosh’s.
Laney thinks she sees a ghost (she believes in ghosts, but what she saw wasn’t a ghost); The family goes to Target (they love shopping at Target); Jessie & Orlando apply for a scholarship without telling their families to know because they don’t want to disappoint them if they don’t make it (the siblings learn about this and try many ways to keep them for applying and Miss the interviews (it gets a little devious with them creating a fake email account to send an email saying their interview has been changed)); There’s a mention of a man and his partner, but it’s unclear if it’s meant in a relationship way (they are both standing in a food truck line, one man says something and the other is described as “his partner agreed [with what he said]”); One of the children is almost hit by a car.
A couple mentions of Orlando’s mom disappearing and leaving him (this happened in a prior book); A mention of a creepy hotel looking like a place from a Halloween movie; A mention of flights being bad for the environment; A few mentions of famous scientists (Maria Merian, Alice Ball, and Rachel Carson); A mention of a llama named “Michelle O’Llama”.
Mention of a Museum of Paleontology, fossils, & the Eocene epoch (said to have started millions of years ago); A mention of one of the Vanderbeeker kids “sending a prayer into the universe” for someone & Laney praying a lot for something to happen and when something does happens, Oliver says it’s not because of her and comments that he’s “impressed you think the universe listens to you that much”.
A kiss by an adult couple; Mentions of boyfriends/girlfriends, dating, & dates.
August 6, 2025
5⭐️
Welcome to an official Charlotte’s BookNook book review! Make sure to go follow my YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@charlottes_bookn...) if you haven’t already. I post video reviews and all sorts of clean bookish content! Now let’s get this review started.
Just when I thought the series couldn’t any get better, it continues to. Each book I read makes me fall more and more in love with this family. This is just such a sweet series.
This was my favorite book from the series I think! There was something just so engaging and charming about following them on the road trip.
The author gave the perfect amount of time to each description to where you were very engaged and could picture every little detail perfectly without becoming bored or distracted.
It’s so bittersweet knowing that I only have one more of these books and it might even be sadder for me to finish this series than the Penderwicks.
I know I say this a lot, but I am truly the biggest fan of this series and all the topics and subject matters it teaches and promotes.
This would be the number one series I would recommend to a parent wanting to find clean, wholesome, and engaging reads for their children of many ages.
If you’re going on a road trip this is the perfect book for you to take along. You’ll feel like you fit in perfectly with this family.
This book continue to show diverse representation of people in all walks of life while teaching good, meaningful lessons about family, friends, and how to treat other people. Another 5 star!
Language:
None
LGBTQ+:
None
Romance:
A few scenes including mentions of kids trying to get their aunt together with their friend who is an adult. Mentions of a kiss (no details) and settling down, getting married, and having a family. This small romance is put in such a sweet and wholesome light teaching kids the importance of family and love.
Violence:
None
Religious Views:
Mentions of praying to the universe and believing in ghosts
Authority Roles:
Amazing!!! The Vanderbeekers series never fails at putting the adults and kids in a good light, highlighting how a parent should raise and treat their kids and be respected by them!! We followed more adults in this story who were all great role models and deserved to be respected!
Welcome to an official Charlotte’s BookNook book review! Make sure to go follow my YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@charlottes_bookn...) if you haven’t already. I post video reviews and all sorts of clean bookish content! Now let’s get this review started.
Just when I thought the series couldn’t any get better, it continues to. Each book I read makes me fall more and more in love with this family. This is just such a sweet series.
This was my favorite book from the series I think! There was something just so engaging and charming about following them on the road trip.
The author gave the perfect amount of time to each description to where you were very engaged and could picture every little detail perfectly without becoming bored or distracted.
It’s so bittersweet knowing that I only have one more of these books and it might even be sadder for me to finish this series than the Penderwicks.
I know I say this a lot, but I am truly the biggest fan of this series and all the topics and subject matters it teaches and promotes.
This would be the number one series I would recommend to a parent wanting to find clean, wholesome, and engaging reads for their children of many ages.
If you’re going on a road trip this is the perfect book for you to take along. You’ll feel like you fit in perfectly with this family.
This book continue to show diverse representation of people in all walks of life while teaching good, meaningful lessons about family, friends, and how to treat other people. Another 5 star!
Language:
None
LGBTQ+:
None
Romance:
A few scenes including mentions of kids trying to get their aunt together with their friend who is an adult. Mentions of a kiss (no details) and settling down, getting married, and having a family. This small romance is put in such a sweet and wholesome light teaching kids the importance of family and love.
Violence:
None
Religious Views:
Mentions of praying to the universe and believing in ghosts
Authority Roles:
Amazing!!! The Vanderbeekers series never fails at putting the adults and kids in a good light, highlighting how a parent should raise and treat their kids and be respected by them!! We followed more adults in this story who were all great role models and deserved to be respected!
December 7, 2022
I'm only in the middle of this, but I had to stop and say
what the heck is with the chapter-long Target ad???
Is she getting paid for product placement? She quoted Anne of Green Gables...did she therefore feel compelled to create her own real-life Rollings Reliable Baking Powder experience? If it'd been "They stopped by Target to pick up some supplies," sure...whatever. But every character going into detail about why it was the most wonderful place in their world? Gag me.
OK...I'm finished now. Didn't love this one. In addition to the Target issue, a serious lying issue is just sort of wafted away rather than dealt with. No bueno.
OK...I'm finished now. Didn't love this one. In addition to the Target issue, a serious lying issue is just sort of wafted away rather than dealt with. No bueno.
October 14, 2022
The Vanderbeekers pile into a van and journey across the United States, from their home in New York City all the way to Monterey on the West Coast. Along the way they make new friends and as you would expect with the Vanderbeekers, the kids get up to all sorts of mischief.
This series is just wonderful. These are the books your kids will have fond memories of when they are my age. 5 Stars.
This series is just wonderful. These are the books your kids will have fond memories of when they are my age. 5 Stars.
September 14, 2023
These books are usually so wholesome and sweet but this one was a real struggle to get through.
When the Vanderbeekers suggested that their neighbor adopt their friend, I thought they were pushing it and worried what would happen to the kid if it didn't work out.
When they decided to take 2 extra cats on a cross country road trip (extra in that they were already taking one of their own cats and their dog) to force on their aunt I thought they were insane. They are so lucky none of those pets got carsick or lost. And that the cats just took to harnesses immediately, without any training (if you have ever tried to harness train a cat, I'm sure you understand how much this pushes the bounds of credibility). When they got the cats to their aunt and she immediately had to leave home for a 2 day conference, I felt that underscored her point that she might not have the resources to be a pet parent. Who cares? That's not relevant to the story!
But what really killed me, and what made me have to drag myself through this book, is the malicious plotting of the younger siblings to sabotage Jesse and Orlando's chances at a scholarship. I get that they wanted everyone to stay at home, but that is dangerous and reckless behavior, and the temper tantrum Laney threw at the end where she recklessly ran into oncoming traffic was just icing on the cake. Sure, they could get scholarships elsewhere. Maybe. But they might not. This might have been their best chance. This might have been their only chance. This college's program might be the best fit for what they want to do.
Knowing that Jesse was coaching Orlando for his interview night after night AND STILL trying to stop them from going, knowing that he had been homeless, that he was adopted, that he might not have a path to college at all without a scholarship, that he had severe (reasonable) anxieties about finances (which they could all hear if they listened to him practicing for the interview, as Oliver did), and going through with their plan - that was a truly cruel thing to do. And then of course he forgave them because he had crippling self doubt! What made it worse though is that - aside from an outburst from Jesse - we hardly see anyone get upset about it and there are no consequences from the adults for their actions. Orlando lost his interview slot, and he was happy to accept it and probably thought he deserved it. I don't know if they both could have gotten a scholarship or if it was only available to one of them, but I felt the result was highly implausible and the fact that they didn't both get a shot at it was awful.
The amount of fortuitous happenings that occassionally happen in the earlier books really hit the limit in this one and killed the plausibility of the story. The car broke down, and the mechanic fell through, but someone brought them another one! Everyone got a month off on short notice! The chicken stowed away, but we just happen to be talking about it near someone that not only knows about chicken diapers but who donates some, and a carrier to boot! We found out about the evil anti-scholarship plot almost just in time to still make it to the interviews! One of the kids didn't want to go anyway!
This installment has ruined the series for me and I don't think I will read the last one now.
When the Vanderbeekers suggested that their neighbor adopt their friend, I thought they were pushing it and worried what would happen to the kid if it didn't work out.
When they decided to take 2 extra cats on a cross country road trip (extra in that they were already taking one of their own cats and their dog) to force on their aunt I thought they were insane. They are so lucky none of those pets got carsick or lost. And that the cats just took to harnesses immediately, without any training (if you have ever tried to harness train a cat, I'm sure you understand how much this pushes the bounds of credibility). When they got the cats to their aunt and she immediately had to leave home for a 2 day conference, I felt that underscored her point that she might not have the resources to be a pet parent. Who cares? That's not relevant to the story!
But what really killed me, and what made me have to drag myself through this book, is the malicious plotting of the younger siblings to sabotage Jesse and Orlando's chances at a scholarship. I get that they wanted everyone to stay at home, but that is dangerous and reckless behavior, and the temper tantrum Laney threw at the end where she recklessly ran into oncoming traffic was just icing on the cake. Sure, they could get scholarships elsewhere. Maybe. But they might not. This might have been their best chance. This might have been their only chance. This college's program might be the best fit for what they want to do.
Knowing that Jesse was coaching Orlando for his interview night after night AND STILL trying to stop them from going, knowing that he had been homeless, that he was adopted, that he might not have a path to college at all without a scholarship, that he had severe (reasonable) anxieties about finances (which they could all hear if they listened to him practicing for the interview, as Oliver did), and going through with their plan - that was a truly cruel thing to do. And then of course he forgave them because he had crippling self doubt! What made it worse though is that - aside from an outburst from Jesse - we hardly see anyone get upset about it and there are no consequences from the adults for their actions. Orlando lost his interview slot, and he was happy to accept it and probably thought he deserved it. I don't know if they both could have gotten a scholarship or if it was only available to one of them, but I felt the result was highly implausible and the fact that they didn't both get a shot at it was awful.
The amount of fortuitous happenings that occassionally happen in the earlier books really hit the limit in this one and killed the plausibility of the story. The car broke down, and the mechanic fell through, but someone brought them another one! Everyone got a month off on short notice! The chicken stowed away, but we just happen to be talking about it near someone that not only knows about chicken diapers but who donates some, and a carrier to boot! We found out about the evil anti-scholarship plot almost just in time to still make it to the interviews! One of the kids didn't want to go anyway!
This installment has ruined the series for me and I don't think I will read the last one now.
November 19, 2022
I never thought I would read a Vanderbeeker book I didn’t love. There were some things we enjoyed but this plot line was my least favorite of the series. I was so disappointed in the actions of the younger kids that I felt the need to talk to my own kids about it as we read it. I hoped in the end it would be redeemed and sadly it was not. It sparked some good conversations about their actions but this it the Vanderbeekers, we are suppose to be rooting them on not discussing their poor choices.
January 8, 2024
Honestly I want to give this book infinity stars! 😭🌟 This might just be my favorite book in the series and I’m just beaming after reading it. The Vanderbeekers hold such a special place in my heart. It’s bittersweet thinking all I have left is the final book. I never want to say goodbye to these characters and their brownstone on 141st St. 🥲
February 1, 2023
Although I still very much enjoyed this latest installment in the Vanderbeekers series, I didn't love it quite as much as the first five.
As usual, the Vanderbeeker kids are keeping secrets from their parents and each other, as well as making big plans without asking for permission or telling anyone about them... but, unlike in the other books, these aren't just plans to clean up a vacant lot and make a garden or secrets about health inspections that got messed up. The kids are working against each other, and some of the kids very nearly mess up the futures for the other kids.
Also, it's really hard to keep secrets when you're on a road trip across the whole continent. My credulity got strained a little too much by that, I'm afraid.
However, I did still really enjoy the book, over all. I loved how excited these city-raised kids got over getting to visit a Target, stay at a farm, and sleep under the stars. The whole family is becoming very dear to me, and I still find their parents to be some of the finest fictional parents I have ever encountered in kids fiction. In any fiction, really!
As usual, the Vanderbeeker kids are keeping secrets from their parents and each other, as well as making big plans without asking for permission or telling anyone about them... but, unlike in the other books, these aren't just plans to clean up a vacant lot and make a garden or secrets about health inspections that got messed up. The kids are working against each other, and some of the kids very nearly mess up the futures for the other kids.
Also, it's really hard to keep secrets when you're on a road trip across the whole continent. My credulity got strained a little too much by that, I'm afraid.
However, I did still really enjoy the book, over all. I loved how excited these city-raised kids got over getting to visit a Target, stay at a farm, and sleep under the stars. The whole family is becoming very dear to me, and I still find their parents to be some of the finest fictional parents I have ever encountered in kids fiction. In any fiction, really!
January 11, 2023
While this wasn't my favorite of the series, I am still a big fan of this middle grade series.
This is the second Vanderbeekers book I listened to on audio and I found the narration by Robin Miles to be delightful. I have the print copy for my kids to enjoy.
This installment had me appreciating one thing in particular: the fact that sibling relationships are complicated and not all sunshine and rainbows. While I could relate to the feelings the youngest two Vanderbeeker kids had, I couldn't help but put my "Mom-hat" on. I wish that the repercussions were addressed with more seriousness.
This is the second Vanderbeekers book I listened to on audio and I found the narration by Robin Miles to be delightful. I have the print copy for my kids to enjoy.
This installment had me appreciating one thing in particular: the fact that sibling relationships are complicated and not all sunshine and rainbows. While I could relate to the feelings the youngest two Vanderbeeker kids had, I couldn't help but put my "Mom-hat" on. I wish that the repercussions were addressed with more seriousness.
October 10, 2022
I LOVE this family!! Another excellent chapter in their story!
December 1, 2022
I mean, I always cry
November 19, 2022
3 1/2 stars
The Vanderbeekers set off from their beloved New York City brownstone, first to pick up their father in Indiana where he's stuck due to a tornado and then on to California to visit "Aunt Penny". It's Pop's 40th birthday, and they want to take him on a surprise trip his father intended for Pop's graduation. That didn't happen as Pop-Pop died shortly before the graduation, and Pop never learned about this planned trip. I love this family and have enjoyed all six entries into the series; this one just not as much as the first five. There were several situations and decisions made by the kids that stretched credulity and diminished my experience with On the Road somewhat. It felt as if the author had rushed to get this done on deadline. Still, I will listen to whatever comes next, hoping Yan Glaser gets her groove back. I love Robin Miles' narration. She masterfully brings a unique voice to each family member!
Why I'm reading this: I will eagerly listen to each entry into the Vanderbeekers series, even if it is targeted to readers MUCH younger than I! I love this family and am gladly accompanying them this time on a road trip! Bummed that the e-audio edition isn't offered as a "version".
The Vanderbeekers set off from their beloved New York City brownstone, first to pick up their father in Indiana where he's stuck due to a tornado and then on to California to visit "Aunt Penny". It's Pop's 40th birthday, and they want to take him on a surprise trip his father intended for Pop's graduation. That didn't happen as Pop-Pop died shortly before the graduation, and Pop never learned about this planned trip. I love this family and have enjoyed all six entries into the series; this one just not as much as the first five. There were several situations and decisions made by the kids that stretched credulity and diminished my experience with On the Road somewhat. It felt as if the author had rushed to get this done on deadline. Still, I will listen to whatever comes next, hoping Yan Glaser gets her groove back. I love Robin Miles' narration. She masterfully brings a unique voice to each family member!
Why I'm reading this: I will eagerly listen to each entry into the Vanderbeekers series, even if it is targeted to readers MUCH younger than I! I love this family and am gladly accompanying them this time on a road trip! Bummed that the e-audio edition isn't offered as a "version".
August 6, 2025
3.5 stars
January 1, 2023
Read this series to your kids and grandkids
A fun addition to a great middle grade series. This series is perfect for parents to read aloud to their kids. Short chapters filled with fun but also plenty of talking points.
I enjoyed taking a cross-country road trip with our favorite NYC family. Who else would roll with acquiring a diaper wearing chicken?
A fun addition to a great middle grade series. This series is perfect for parents to read aloud to their kids. Short chapters filled with fun but also plenty of talking points.
I enjoyed taking a cross-country road trip with our favorite NYC family. Who else would roll with acquiring a diaper wearing chicken?
May 12, 2023
Very cute story. It was a perfect read for a road trip. While it felt rushed at the end, the adventures throughout made up for it. I love the Vanderbeekers! 🚐
October 23, 2022
This family will always and forever have my heart. A wonderful story about a cross-country road trip filled with secrets plans, unexpected adventures, a van full of pets, and lots of shenanigans, but so much love and family.
October 6, 2022
I wanted to like this book more than I did. While there is a cross-country adventure with the Vanderbeekers inspired by their late grandfather and the actual reason for the trip took a backseat to family drama.This series has always been about the relationships but this is the first in the series where the relationships are inward focused instead of outward focused. Glaser also seems to signal changes are coming for the family and the readers who love them. I appreciate the author preparing us. However, the yearly publication of this series is becoming detrimental to the author and its fans.
January 29, 2026
I love this series so much ever since I started reading as a kid. This one was not my favorite, they lie and do some really cruel things that make me almost not like the younger kids anymore, and then at the end one of them has a tantrum and runs through a busy parking lot and the parents don't do anything to punish them??
It was also super unrealistic not even in the normal "oh that could still happen" way of the Vanderbeekers
I'm really hoping the last book gets back on track and finishes the series how it deserves to be finished
It was also super unrealistic not even in the normal "oh that could still happen" way of the Vanderbeekers
I'm really hoping the last book gets back on track and finishes the series how it deserves to be finished
April 28, 2023
This was so sweet. It reminds me of a lot of great road trips we took as a family. I loved Laney getting a spotlight in this book. I really felt for her, being a fellow youngest. I am so sad this series is drawing to a close but I can't wait to read the new book in September!
January 3, 2025
How is there only one book left?! My kids and I will be so sad when this series is over.
January 15, 2025
Cried while reading this. These books are amazing examples of kind, good kids.
We are devastated that we are already on the last book! This is my favorite read aloud series yet.
We are devastated that we are already on the last book! This is my favorite read aloud series yet.
February 13, 2025
Has me laughing and eager for the next page along with my son! What a fun read aloud!
October 18, 2022
Fun addition to the series. I always enjoy when these books come out. The characters are relatable and each plot is interesting.
December 17, 2022
Perfection!! LOVE this series. Ramona Quimby the chicken is my favorite part!
October 16, 2022
Listening to this middle grade novel about a road trip while on a family road trip was the BEST. The girls kept laughing out loud, which made my husband and I laugh too.
I think Ramona Quimby was our favorite character! (Ramona Quimby is a chicken they meet on a farm along the way.)
I think Ramona Quimby was our favorite character! (Ramona Quimby is a chicken they meet on a farm along the way.)
October 17, 2022
Adorable, sweet, cute. I missed the brownstone though.
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