The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street
Acceptable with guidance. Age: 8+. A Catholic review of this book for parents.
Our review
A big, funny, loving family and a neighborhood that looks after its own. The children answer a hard-hearted landlord with gifts and kindness, and his buried grief comes into the light. Papa prays at dinner and the parents are warm and present. The reservation: one of the kids' schemes is a lie to a would-be buyer, told as part of the fun.
For parents
Read aloud from 6, independent reading from 8. Common Sense Media says 8 and up. Expect mild slang like 'sucks' and 'freaking.' Ask why the kids chose kindness when they were angry at Mr. Beiderman. Ask whether lying to the buyer was right, even to save their home (CCC 2482).