Customer Reviews

More All of a Kind Family

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In this sequel, Ella finds a boyfriend and Henny disagrees with Papa over her curfew. This story continues the tale of a Jewish family who lived in the Lower East Side of New York in the early 1900's. Entertaining as well as educational, this book describes the joys and fears in that place and time. I also enjoyed learning about some of the Jewish traditions. A delightful classic that every little girl will enjoy.

Life in 1910s New York City is never dull for sisters Ella, Henny, Sarah, Charlotte and Gertie. Although poor, there's always a penny for candy at the corner store, as well as free adventures at the local library or their papa's junk store. Now Ella, a teenager, enters her first romance, and since their baby brother Charlie is growing older, he's finally able to have a free adventures of his own!

One terrible day, however, as the sisters are distracted with watching a wedding party exiting the temple, little Charlie toddles in front of a horse and wagon. With the driver unable to stop, tragedy seems inevitable...except for the intervention of a brave young immigrant woman.

After saving Charlie's life, Lena becomes an inextricable part of the family's lives. It seems perfectly natural when she's introduced to the girls' bachelor uncle Hyman, who's instantly smitten by the feisty independent woman.

But as summer and the couple's wedding nears, tragedy strikes in the form of polio. Will Lena become the children's aunt after all?

Along with their fun, there's also a strong background of the family's Jewish faith, which binds the community through good times and bad. No matter what happens, the girls know they're backed by the familiar traditions and a rich heritage.

This series is excellent, especially if you are jewish. My 8yr old daughter and I are reading this series because she wanted a book that shared our values. We are both LOVING IT! The series is about a jewish family around the 1920's living on the lower east side. It really is a great conversation starter about jewish history and all the holidays. She is really identifying with the daughters in the book. I would absolutely recommend these books! They will also be great books to pass on and share with other generations.