Together Again

The Callahan Cousins #4

by Elizabeth Doyle Carey

Look out Gull Island! Neeve,Phoebe, Kate and Hillary - the twelve-year-old Callahancousins - are back at their grandmother Gee's ramblingseaside estate for Christmas break!When the girls camp out at a whale museum they stumbleupon a mystery they can't ignore. Phoebe takes the leadas the girls join forces to solve an islandmystery.

Genres: Childrens, Middle Grade

272 pages, Hardcover

First published October 4, 2006

About the author

Liz Carey is the author of 43 published books for young readers. She was also the Publisher and co-founder of Dunemere Books, a boutique publisher of travel fiction; a former children's book editor (Golden Books, Workman, Planet Dexter) and bookseller (The Harvard Bookstore in Cambridge, MA). Liz lives on Long Island with her husband, three sons, a high-maintenance cat named Yankee and a chunky Pug named Noolah. Please visit www.elizabethdoylecarey.com.

Reviews

[Danielle Routh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely surprised by the sudden shift from summer to winter, especially since there wasn't a whole lot of closure regarding the summer's events. This one focuses on the bookish, intellectual "I was born in the wrong generation" Phoebe, who wants a traditional Christmas with her cousins and grandma.

It's pretty obvious from the first two pages what will happen: Phoebe has all sorts of grand plans for her Christmas and will have to learn how to both respect what others want and realize that real life usually doesn't turn out like the many books she reads. Phoebe is, quite frankly, annoying but does show growth throughout the book, especially regarding the cousins' frenemy Sloan Bicket.

There's a rather odd theme of religion in this one, and I say odd because Phoebe seems to waver between respecting religion and dismissing it as unnecessary with practically no acknowledgement of the difference. We do eventually learn that Phoebe is terrified of death and what follows it, which somewhat helps explain her attitude toward religion but not entirely. I do admire Carey's willingness to include discussions of religion, especially since the story focuses on Christmas.

Definitely not the strongest book in the series, and if I didn't have a matching hardback set, I probably wouldn't keep these. I wish I could go back in time and read them all when I was the same age as the cousins; I feel like I'd probably appreciate/enjoy them more then.

2025: Totally forgot about the seasonal shift or I would have ended my summer read-through with Keeping Cool (oops). I do still wish there were more closure for the summer after the first three books, but, as with KC, some more distance has given me more empathy for Phoebe's arc. I may have shed a tear when Jessie tells her, "You're not the only one who's seen her." Bumping this one up another star as well.

[Jenben8426 · Rating 3 out of 5]

The 4th and last of the Callahan cousin series, this time the girls are reuniting on Gull Island for a special Christmas. The story is told through the last of the four girls--Phoebe. Phoebe has never had that New England traditional Christmas. The huge tree, the fancy parties, the caroling, even snow, so this year will be different. It will be her dream Christmas, not some weird untraditional Florida Christmas like her family does every year. But in striving for that perfect Christmas, Phoebe learns what exactly the true meaning of Christmas really is.

I was a little taken aback that the series moved so suddenly from summer to Christmas. They never really completed what happened during the summer. However, it did give the series a bit of a fresh update in describing Gull island now in a winter setting. This book had some good messages. I do think young girls ages 10-13 will like the series, but it is definitely not a children's or young adult classic series.

[Tamsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

12 yr. old Phoebe Callahan longs to enjoy a story book Christmas. When she learns that she and her 3 cousins will spend their Holiday vacation in New England on their Grandma's island estate, she plans the Christmas of her dreams. When she reaches Gull Island, the cold breeze and cloudy skies foster her fondest fantasy, a white Christmas. She imagines her Grandma;s stately three-story home with lights in every window. But after Grandma G's heirloom angel shatters, Phoebe learns that life's greatest joy come from giving to others.

[Kerith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet read. Four cousins spend Christmas on Gull Island with their grandmother. They try to have a truly traditional Christmas with all the trimmings (whatever that is) but of course discover the real meaning behind it all. A little bit typical but still charming. I'll give my copy to a 10-year-old girl I know.

[Jazz]

This book is a really good about how four cousins are together again to sped Christmas together. However, one of the cousins wants to have the perfect Christmas,but too many obstacles come in the way.

[Lulu]

OH MY GOSH! I DIDN'T KNOW THERE WAS A 4TH!!!! I NEED TO READ THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you liked penderwicks, you'll love these cousins! A great holiday read for those who love old-fashioned christmases.

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was definitely my favorite Callahan book yet! I loved everything about it, especially since it was about Christmas. Phoebe is such a caring person; she really deserved little Gabriel.

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to audio version