Summer Party

Cobble Street Cousins #5

by Cynthia Rylant, Wendy Anderson Halperin (Illustrator)

"Tess will sing a song. Lily will read a poem.

And Rosie will write fortunes."

What's the big event? The cousins' parents are coming home, and it looks like the girls have to leave Cobble Street. Everyone is sad, but Aunt Lucy says to focus on the future. So the cousins arrange a summer party with Japanese lanterns, entertainment, and fortunes...

The cousins get a sneak preview of all that lies ahead. And a surprise from Aunt Lucy's sweetheart, Michael, means there's more to look forward to.

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, Chapter Books, Summer, Friendship, Family, Realistic Fiction

64 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

An author of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry for children and young adults as well as an author and author/illustrator of picture books for children, Cynthia Rylant is recognized as a gifted writer who has contributed memorably to several genres of juvenile literature. A prolific author who often bases her works on her own background, especially on her childhood in the West Virginia mountains, she is the creator of contemporary novels and historical fiction for young adults, middle-grade fiction and fantasy, lyrical prose poems, beginning readers, collections of short stories, volumes of poetry and verse, books of prayers and blessings, two autobiographies, and a biography of three well-known children's writers; several volumes of the author's fiction and picture books are published in series, including the popular "Henry and Mudge" easy readers about a small boy and his very large dog.

Rylant is perhaps most well known as a novelist. Characteristically, she portrays introspective, compassionate young people who live in rural settings or in small towns and who tend to be set apart from their peers.

from bookrags.com

Reviews

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED the ending where Michael gave Aunt Lucy a fortune . . . !!

[Yoshinobu Yamakawa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the fifth book in the Cobble Street Cousins series featuring three cousins, Lily, Tess, and Rosie. They look forward to their parents coming home, but miss the end of their happy life at Aunt Lucy's house.

The theme of this book is Adapting to Change and Family Ties. The three cousins face a major change when their parents come home, but they embrace it and plan a summer party. This behavior shows that they are open to change.

One of the highlights is a surprise from Aunt Lucy's boyfriend Michael. Read the book for details, but the surprise is what makes the party special.

It's also interesting to see the personalities of the three cousins through the story. Lily wants to be a poet, Tess wants to be a Broadway star, and Rosie dreams of living in a small cottage with flowers.

This book made me realize the importance of family ties and the importance of embracing change without fear. It's heartwarming to see the children's innocence and dedication to their dreams. As part of the Cobble Street Cousins series, you don't need to know the story of the previous books to enjoy this one. But reading through the series gives you a deeper sense of the characters ’ development.

[Joanne Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this volume of the cousins' adventure's at Aunt Lucy's! To me, this one typifies what is sweet and magnetic about this series. The characters lean into their personalities, the plot has a clear direction, the theme is universal and kid-friendly. The story if full of little imaginative touches readers will want to imitate. The gentle plot has a fun surprise and a happy ending. And the illustrations are sweet—especially the bookended house drawing of day and night. A perpetual favorite. Just don't read the books out of order.

[Miz Lizzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's coming up on a year and the cousins' parents are coming home. The girls are looking forward to seeing their parents but are very sad about leaving Aunt Lucy, Cobble Street, and all their friends. In typical fashion, they deal with their grief by putting together a party, complete with home-baked goodies (Rosie), a read-aloud poem (Lily), and singing (Tess) for all their neighborhood friends. The party ends happily as Michael proposes to Aunt Lucy. A sweet, gentle series.

[Allison Greg · Rating 3 out of 5]

This Cobble Street Cousins book wasn't my favorite. I've enjoyed the series and understand why this one was needed...the cousins are going to go back to living with their parents so they are saying their goodbyes. We meet the parents of the girls and the girls throw a farewell party. Aunt Lucy gets engaged which sets the stage for the last book in the series.

[Rose McCallum · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s so cool how in the book you get to meet their parents! They surprise their parents with a super fancy party! It’s kind of weird the parents are all just ballerinas who went on a big trip. This is how I know - it says it at the beginning every time and there is a picture of it in this book.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Luisa: 4 stars out of 5. I really liked it because they said, "it's not that I don't want my parents to come home, it is just that I am going to miss the people on Cobble Street."

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evelyn wouldn't let me stop reading! She squealed with excitement at the ending and is plotting how she could live and have adventures with her same age cousin. :)

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Cobble Street Cousins is such a delightful series!

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

The (predictable yet sweet) moment you’ve been waiting for!

[Shannon Rickert · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am sooo happy to have been able to read this book. Now on to number 6. These are the cutest books ever.

[Ashley Arnold · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was darling. This series holds the hearts of my 8-year-old daughter and me.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

ugh I want Lucy’s house so bad

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

These are sweetest read alouds with a 6yo. She loves them.

[Meredith Nunley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leah was so excited when Michael and Lucy finally got engaged. I may have a romance reader on my hands.

[Beth Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful story filled with love. Saying hello and goodbye.
Adorable illustrations as well.

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet tale of three cousins who live together with their aunt. It's the first book we've read in this series, but I have a feeling that it's one of the last books in the series because they are celebrating their parents' return from being on tour and sad because they will miss living all together. Our girls really enjoyed this story and we will read more of the books from this series as we come across them in our local library.

[Yumi Learner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished reading the fifth book of the series. Actually, I have the Japanese translation version. So, I have read the version two years ago before I read it in English. I found the book series accidentally on Amazon.com. I prefer reading the series in English than reading them in Japanese. English version let me expand my imaginations more.

I also can't wait to read Aunt Lucy's wedding party. I definitely think after I finish all the series, I will miss the three cousins in the books!

[Caroline Herfindahl · Rating 4 out of 5]

All good things must come to an end and that is just what is happening for the Cobble Street cousins and their time together at Aunt Lucy's. But change, even though it is emotional and difficult, doesn't have to be all sad if we have hope and look to the future. That is just what they do - turn the sadness of endings into a celebration of new beginnings. A good lesson/ reminder for young and old alike :)

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this 5th installment of the sweet Cobble Street Cousins series, the cousins' parents return from their year-long ballet world tour. The cousins feel sad at the thought of parting, so they decide to have a party for their family and Cobble Street friends. In the process, they learn there is always something to look forward to. Early-middle grade fiction by Cynthia Rylant with delightful pencil illustrations by Wendy Anderson Halperin.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

A brief sweet story about three cousins who have been living with Aunt Lucy and now with their parents returning they will be going home. They will celebrate the end of living together for a year with a sumer party. This is a joyful story and depicts the joyous happenings that can be shared with cousins.

[Shalee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I used to love these books. They're great for young readers.

[Amanda]

Endearing and has a plot, unlike most books for beginning readers!

[Melissa Posten · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the sweetest chapter book series ever. My mom's been reading them to Molly, but I got to read her this one.

[Hillvan]

460L

[Relyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This just might be my favorite early reader series.

[Melody Schwarting · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a delight. The illustrations are so evocative and there is a gentle kindness to all six books.

[Chloe]

i loved the story it is so good.