Customer Reviews

All-of-a-Kind Family

5 star:		(49)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

All of a Kind Family was one of the best books that I read in fourth grade. This delightful, heartwarming story takes place in old New York where the musty streets are always crowded, but are always filled with friendly people. The book is about a sweet family of seven, in which each person is different, though in a way, the same. The five children, (all sisters) names' are Gertie, who is a lovable four-year -old, Charlotte, Gertie's closest friend,and a quiet daydreamer, at six years of age, Sara, the polite, sweet little girl of eight years, Henny, the wild, secretive one of the bunch at ten years of age, and finally Ella, the thoughtless girl that all of her sisters look up to. In this interesting, tremendously descriptive book,each child overcomes a problem, and there are also many problems that they work out together. Every little girl in the family is sweet, kind, caring, and smart, but throughout the book, their attitudes twist and turn in different directions. Different events occur that can make the reader laugh, cry, and wonder. Each chapter has a new mishap waiting to happen, and the whole book, I think is aimed mainly at letting the reader know that as a family, you can accomplish anything, but when you're alone, achieving your goals is like trying to write without any lead in your pencil. This story, even though there is some parts that are sad, and some that are wonderful, is completely fabulous the whole way through. It's entertaining, interesting and it definitely always kept me reading. I love this book, because it's better than any other. It has everything that you could ever possibly ask for in a book. I would reccomend this great story to anyone who enjoys reading about small adventures, such as ones that could take place in your own backyard.

I first read the All of A Kind Family book when I was in elementary school. I never had a copy of my own, so I checked it out as often as I could, and I never told any of my friends about the book so I could keep it all to myself!! Over the years I've thought about the stories and the books and how much I LOVED them and wanted to be part of their family, even though I came from a big family myself.
I am going to buy these books for my son to read, because I think he would really enjoy them, too. And if not, at least I'll have them all to myself!!!

This book is beautifully written, and my daughter and I have read it over, and over again! The whole series is great!

When I saw this book at the bookstore I thought it would be a very boring book, but I read it anyway. It turned out that in the first chapter I really liked it! My favorite part was when Gertie cried from her bedroom and said "I wanted to steal the matzoh but I have scarlet fever!" and when Gertie wanted a little washpan and a scrub board to wash her dolls' clothes. I am 9 years old and I really loved this book.

I have known about All of a Kind Family since I was in the second grade. I am Jewish and could relate to the characters in some of what they did, but it was still quite new to me. I remember asking my mother why the women had to sit in a separate place in the synagogue, why the doctor didn't just give the girls an antibiotic when they got sick, why, why, why. My grandfather (who would have been Gertie's age at the beginning of the book) explained a lot of it too. It is a great book to introduce children of all religions to a Jewish family from 1912. The book is very sweet. There are conflicts, but nothing too harsh. Therefore it is fine to read this book to young children. It is kind of "Walton"-ish, as other readers have said. What's wrong with that? The one thing I do not fully understand is that, over the course of the series, Ella doesn't get into trouble. Henny always does, and Sarah, Charlotte, Gertie and Charlie have their share, but Ella seems to be Miss Perfect. Perhaps that is how Sydney Taylor remembered her eldest sister. All in all, this is a wonderful book, for girls and boys alike (though boys may not be interested because Charlie comes along at the end). One reviewer mentioned what a large role food plays in their lives. How about an "All-of-a-Kind-Family Cookbook" (made health-conscious)?

I read this series when I was about 10 and I am now 46. I will never forget how it was able to evoke such warm feelings about learning about my own heritage and customs as well as how life was in the Lower East Side. Coming from an immigrant Jewish background, there was nothing better as a little girl in being able to read about another family, even fictitious, that represented me. I have tried to pass this along to my niece as well so that she can learn more about life 100 years ago to help her understand the events that shape our lives today. Also why family is so important.

Everyday my 3 year old boy listens to the audio tape of All of a Kind Family 3-5 times. He calls it his "little girls tape" and sits in front of the stereo drinking in the stories. While he loves the Little House in the Prairies cd's this is his long time favourite. We have listened to this continually for a year now and he has every word memorised... I should know because he often starts to retell the stories (verbatim) and my wife and I have to listen to this little gentile kid retell jewish stories. Anyway, it is a fantastic slice of life and definately helps us to inculcate the kind of values that we want in our family.

As an elementary school teacher I rely on audiobooks a great deal as it helps struggling readers not only participate fully in the story, but works as a wonderful foray into the world of reading.I personally enjoyed this audiobook so much that I played it for my entire class. They loved it! The narration was excellent, calming even the rowdiest kids, and they were instantly drawn in. It was a great introduction to the Jewish culture and heritage, as well as an excellent discussion piece about immigrant America at the turn of the century! Consider this for your classroom, it has sparked curiosity, debate and learning for weeks!

This book is funny and really fun to read because you really like the charachters and really care about what happens to them. The book is really exciting because the family has lots of adventures.

This book is about a Jewish and poor family.There is papa, there's mama, there's Ella who is oldest, there's Henny short for Hennrietta, there's Sarah, there's Charlotte, and last but not least for now, there's Gertie. At this time at school the teachers give the children 1 penny each so they can buy a snack and a preaty good snack for 1 penny.So 1 dollar is a lot and a ton of money at that time. The interest of the book goes on throughout the book.I highly reccomend this for you to read. Sydney Taylor is a fantastic author for all ages.