I stopped after fifty pages. Formula, like a list of characters that check all the boxes, but there's no heart in any of it. In comparison I liked the Penderwick books, and felt like a friend as I read them. No stars.

The Vanderbeekers have always lived in the brownstone on 141st Street. It's practically another member of the family. So when their reclusive, curmudgeonly landlord decides not to renew their lease, the five siblings have eleven days to do whatever it takes to stay in their beloved home and convince the dreaded Beiderman just how wonderful they are.

And all is fair in love and war when it comes to keeping their home.

Sweet family story of siblings trying to save their home. Christmas miracles occur. It is an easy book to add to contemporary kidlit and for penderwicks read alikes. It is not my favorite genre, and was a little syrupy for my tastes, but i can see it's appeal and am glad it is part of my collection. ( )

I read a lot of teen books but this was my first middle grade in a while and I absolutely adored it! It's just an adorable story with great characters and detail. This fit my need for a few pages before bed read perfectly. I really hope it becomes a family movie someday I think it could be a great ( )

I really loved this story so much. It was such a fun holiday read. I also loved how NYC became a character in this story as well. I loved all the characters in the story and also unlike most middle grade the parents had an active role in this story. I loved both the mystery but also the holiday fun that occurred in this novel. I grew so attached to this characters and was happy to hear a sequel is coming. I thought this was prefect holiday read and made me smile and cry for the holidays! ( )