A Great Series: The All-of-a-Kind Family Books

During a crazy, busy week at my house, where I'm trying to be a good mom, freelance writer, blogger, short-order cook, laundry maid, chauffeur and half-way decent wife (oh, and my seven year old wants me to sew the arm back on her favorite bear -- I guess that makes me a bear surgeon?) -- I am going to instead revert back to my childhood and share one of my favorite series of books ever written. They are the All-of-a-kind Family books, by Sydney Taylor.

Written by the author to share her childhood memories with her own daughter, these books tell the story of a turn-of-the-century Jewish family on New York's Lower East Side. The sisters in the book, Ella, Henny, Sarah, Charlotte and Gertie, live in a tight knit family full of love and tradition.

Girls will enjoy getting to know the family members and reading the funny and sometimes touching stories of their lives. As a girl, I loved the fact that the sisters all seemed to have radically different personalities, not unlike me and my own siblings (and not unlike the two little girls that I call my own). But still -- they all helped each other, loved each other and, most of all, laughed together -- like family is meant to do.

The books describe in detail the different elements of Jewish traditions and celebrations, a part that I particularly enjoyed -- as well as the rich exposition of everyday life in turn of the century New York City. In the first book, for example, we see the family face illness, take a trip to the beach, celebrate the fourth of July -- they even add another family member -- and needless to say all of these events were handled just a little differently 100 years ago!

Enjoy this series of books with your girls -- start with All-of-a-kind Family and move on to the others -- this is a great series for independent readers ages 9-13, but also fun for family read aloud. I can't think of a better way to spend time together!

Now if you'll excuse me ... I've got a teddy bear prepped for surgery.

Esperanza Rising: A Story of Hope

There's not a girl I know who doesn't love a story packed with adventure, tragedy, and of course, HOPE. That sums up the absorbing, beautifully written Esperanza Rising, by Pam Munoz Ryan.

Ryan, a prolific author who also penned Becoming Naomi Leon and Riding Freedomhas vividly recreated Esperanza's life of privilege on her father's beloved ranch in Aguascalientes, Mexico.

A tragedy on her 13th birthday alters Esperanza's life forever, and the lives of those she loves. She suddenly finds herself, her mother and three former servants en route to America fleeing from the evil hearted-uncles trying to steal her father's land.

Once in the new country, Esperanza realizes that her pampered lifestyle is gone forever, and that she will now be forced to work very hard. The difficult lives of migrant farmers in Depression-era California are described in great detail through the eyes of Esperanza.

Mix in the tension of a blossoming romance, the illness of her mother, and Esperanza's determination to see her Grandmother again, and you've got an unforgettable story. There's no putting this novel down once you start, it is an engaging tale from the very first lines to the uplifting ending.

As Esperanza's name (meaning "hope" in Spanish) suggests, even in the bleakest of situations, there is still a chance for a better life. Even when all seems lost, there is still family, independence, strength and hope.

Give Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan a chance, you won't regret it.

Read Aloud? Parent's are encouraged to read this book aloud to 3rd graders and up.
Recommended Age Level: 5th through 9th grade.