I’m ashamed to say I had never come across this classic American children’s novel until Constance of Staircase Wit recommended it when I commented on one of her reviews that I would like to read more about life on New York’s Lower East Side. Constance kindly sent me a copy, which I have now read and enjoyed!
First published in 1951, the book follows five young sisters through a year of their childhood in 1912. Ella, at twelve, is the oldest and four-year-old Gertie is the youngest, with Henny (Henrietta), Sarah and Charlotte in between. They are known as an ‘all-of-a-kind family’ due to being all girls – or, as the librarian refers to them, a ‘step-and-stairs family’ because of their evenly spaced ages. They live in an apartment on the Lower East Side and Papa runs a junk shop nearby while Mama looks after the children and their home.
In the first chapter, Sarah is upset because a friend has borrowed her library book and lost it. She’s sure she’ll be in big trouble and banned from going to the library ever again. However, the librarian, Miss Allen, is sympathetic and, knowing that the family would be offended by charity, she agrees to let Sarah pay for the book one penny a week. Miss Allen becomes a good friend to the girls after this and we meet her again later in the book, but meanwhile there are lots of other adventures to be had – including making a fun game from dusting the apartment, going to the market with Mama, and getting lost at Coney Island.
This is such a charming book, I’m sure I would have loved it as a child. The five girls are all very endearing and Taylor gives them all individual personalities of their own. Ella, being nearly a teenager, is the most mature of the sisters and is beginning to form romantic attachments; ten-year-old Henny is independent and rebellious, while Sarah is more studious. The two youngest girls are less well developed, but Gertie, the baby of the family, looks up to Charlotte who is two years older and they have a particularly close relationship.
One of the most interesting things about this book is that the girls belong to a Jewish family, so we are given lots of descriptions of them preparing for Jewish holidays such as Purim and Passover (as well as celebrating the Fourth of July) – and because the girls are so young, Mama and Papa explain to them the meanings of each custom and tradition, which can be very helpful for non-Jewish readers! Not many of the books I remember reading as a child featured children who were anything other than Christian, so it’s good to know that this book existed even if I wasn’t aware of it.
This is a lovely book (and also the first in a series). Thanks to Constance for introducing me to it.
She Reads Novels 
I spent five years of my childhood in the US and we did learn about some Jewish traditions at school, but this book definitely helped! I vividly remember Sarah’s (my favourite of the sisters) anxiety about the library book. This has made me want to check the whole series out again.
Yes, I think books like this are a great way for kids to supplement what they’re being taught at school. The bits about the Jewish traditions were interesting to me as an adult as well! And yes, poor Sarah – I would have probably felt the same if I’d lost a library book as a child!
I too, only discovered this book as an adult (a friend’s recommendation) and enjoyed it as much as you did–the characters are so endearing and the story simple and yet so lovely. I also learned a lot about Jewish holidays and culture from here. Still to read the other books though!
I’m glad you enjoyed this one too, Mallika. It’s such a lovely story – very simple, as you say, but perfect!
This is a classic American kids’ book? I never heard of it! It sounds good, though.
I really enjoyed it! I don’t often read kids’ books but this was a good one.
Huh. Learn something new every day. I think the title is vaguely familiar, but I know I never ran across it as a kid, and I was about the right age when it came out (I’m old).
Actually, I’m not that old, but it was published the same year I was born, so it should have been in our school library.
I loved these books growing up! All the Jewish feasts and traditions were so fascinating ,and the children such fun characters. I was sad when my library discarded all the books, though I did manage to snag one at a used sale when I was like 12.
Yes, I loved the five children and all the details of Jewish feasts. What a shame your library discarded the books!
What a nice review! I read this as an adult, too. While we did not have any diversity in our school readers in the 60s/70s and we only attended church sporadically, I went with friends and their Sunday School class to the city’s Synagouge for a service in 6th grade. It was a very important experience.
Thanks! I think this is the kind of book that can be enjoyed by adults as much as children.
Absolutely–a good book is just that, a good book. No “age” or “grade level” need be considered.
I love this book.
it’s really good!
Oh, I am so glad you enjoyed this! The dusting chapter is one of my favorites. However, when I misplace I library book I always think of Sarah and the kindness of that librarian. If you ever come to New York, you can visit that very library and the neighborhood where the girls lived.
I loved it. Thank you so much for sending me a copy! I enjoyed the dusting chapter too – I remember a similar story by Enid Blyton, but in that one the girl didn’t know there was money hidden under the furniture and was being tested to see if she dusted the room properly.
This, I believe, is one of the very few children’s books I read as a kid. I remember I felt very bad that I was the younger sister in the family, and not the older one. It was sweet, if I recall correctly.
I read a lot of children’s books as a kid, but never came across this one and I wish I had because I’m sure I would have loved it!
I distinctly remember bits, but I doubt I’d want to read it again today.
Thank you for the review Helen! I haven’t heard of this book, but I like the sound of it so I will be adding it onto my TBR. 😊📚
I wish I’d known about this book as a child as I’m sure I would have loved it!