The Vanderbeekers Make a Wish

by Karina Yan Glaser

Overview

Witness the power of family history and family love in this funny, poignant addition to a series that the New York Times Book Review hails as “delightful and heartwarming.”

It’s summer on 141st Street, and the Vanderbeekers are looking forward to Papa’s surprise fortieth birthday party. But when Papa must leave town suddenly to help his best friend, trouble in the form of their distant grandparents shows up on their doorstep.

Not only must the Vanderbeekers face the disappointment of ruined plans, but they have more than one family secret to solve if they are going to give Papa the special birthday he deserves.

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 Street
• The Vanderbeekers and the Hidden Garden
• The Vanderbeekers to the Rescue
• The Vanderbeekers Lost and Found
• The Vanderbeekers Make a Wish
• The Vanderbeekers on the Road

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9798885792264
Publisher:	Gale, A Cengage Group
Publication date:	10/11/2023
Series:	Vanderbeekers Series , #5
Edition description:	Large Print
Pages:	323
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)
Age Range:	8 - 11 Years

About the Author

Karina Glaser is the New York Times bestselling author of the Vanderbeekers series and A Duet for Home. A former teacher as well as employee of New York City’s largest provider of transitional housing for the homeless, Karina is now a contributing editor at Book Riot. Karina lives in Harlem, New York City, with her husband, two children, and assortment of rescue animals. One of her proudest achievements is raising two kids who can’t go anywhere without a book. Visit her at karinaglaser.com. 

Editorial Reviews

"Another adorable kid-centered adventure in Glaser's successful and endearing series. Lovers of Jeanne Birdsall's 'Penderwick' series will find real comfort in Glaser's characters and situations. This latest in a staple series is a must for any middle grade collection." — School Library Journal

From the Publisher

09/01/2021

Gr 3–7—Isa, Jessie, Oliver, Hyacinth, and Laney Vanderbeeker are at it again in another adorable, kid-centered adventure in Glaser's successful and endearing series. Oliver and Papa are about to take off on a pre–seventh grade camping trip when Papa is suddenly called away for a family emergency. Oliver and his sisters are left at home as his mom tries to stay ahead at the bakery, all while dealing with a (mostly unwelcome) surprise visit from Grandma and Grandpa. While trying to plan a great birthday party for Papa when he returns, the kids begin to unravel a mystery about their deceased maternal grandfather, Pop-Pop, that helps reveal more about the lives of all of the grandparents. Of course, the normal silliness ensues with the pets and kids via slimy lettuce, food coloring and day trips around New York. With the suspension of reality, the ending is quite heartwarming and continues in the same vein as the four previous Vanderbeeker novels. Should this fifth installment be picked up first, it can certainly be a hook to go back and start at the beginning once finished. Lovers of Jeanne Birdsall's "Penderwicks" series will find real comfort in Glaser's characters and situations. VERDICT This latest in a staple series is a must for any middle grade collection.—Kim Gardner, Fort Worth Country Day Sch., TX

School Library Journal