Vanderbeekers of 141st Street

Karina Yan Glaser is the author of the New York Times bestselling Vanderbeekers series and the stand-alone novel A Duet for Home, which received three starred reviews and has been nominated for more than a dozen state awards. A former middle school teacher, Karina lives in Harlem, New York City, with her husband, two teens, and an assortment of pets and houseplants. One of her proudest achievements is raising two kids who can’t go anywhere without a book.

"Glaser’s love for the Vanderbeekers shines through in her prose and stick drawings. Readers will look forward to future adventures. A highly recommended purchase for all middle grade collections." — School Library Journal (starred review)"Few [families] in children’s literature are as engaging or amusing as the Vanderbeekers." — Booklist (starred review)"[Karina Yan Glaser’s] contemporary family narrative preserves the winsome tone and innocence of the aforementioned classics while updating them with a rich, modern diversity of characters, settings and problems. Glaser’s warmhearted story highlights a cold truth: What is often missing in the busy lives of today’s plugged-in, checked-out families is a sense of community. In the vast village of New York City, she suggests, what it takes to raise a child can still be found on one square block." — New York Times Book Review"A heartwarming story about family and community that will appeal to readers who also enjoy an old-fashioned feel." — Kirkus Reviews"With rich dialogue and detailed descriptions of the neighborhood, the text provides a humorous and heartwarming story about siblings uniting to save their home. Through the Vanderbeekers, Glaser provides a portrait of the splendors of Harlem and the sense of community that can be built among neighbors of all backgrounds. This will draw fans of rollicking family stories, and while it’s centered on Christmas, it would be enjoyable any time of the year." — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books"Uplifting. Readers who enjoy a cheery story that’s simultaneously old-fashioned and of the moment in its sensibility will enjoy this introduction to the Vanderbeekers and look forward to their future adventures." — Publishers Weekly"Glaser’s third-person narration weaves individual characters’ plot threads and a palpable sense of place through the larger family story in the tradition of Jeanne Birdsall, Sydney Taylor, Elizabeth Enright, and Hilary McKay." — The Horn Book“The Vanderbeekers join the Melendys, the Cassons, and the ‘All of a Kind’ Family on my list of favorite book-families. I’m in love with every single Vanderbeeker! Their story is utterly enchanting: I did not want it to end. More, please?” — Linda Sue Park, Newbery medalist