Comments on: Top 100 Children’s Novels #55: All-of-a-Kind Family by Sydney Taylor

By: Penny

Penny — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 03:57:26 +0000

I have three of the books in the series, and wish I could rediscover ‘More All Of A Kind Family’. The fun Hanukkah. Gertie’s little white lie spinning out of control, and Henny’s secret plan to get away with breaking curfew. Ella meeting Jules, and Mama’s brother meeting Lena. The polio scare, and the family getting through tough times and always staying loyal and strong. I know I’d be surprised by chapters I’ve forgotten. Maybe someday I’ll find a copy; it’s happened before with other long-lost favorites!

By: Bonnie Farkas

Bonnie Farkas — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 00:46:46 +0000

I loved the All-of=a-kind family books as a child. I vividly recall reading them. As an Orthodox Jewish child living in the Bronx, I was so happy to read the only book I could find depicting an observant family. I re-discovered these books when i was a volunteer in my children’s school library. I was so happy to find them again, i cried!

By: Dale

Dale — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 01:25:07 +0000

I adored these books as a child. I simply could not get enough of them. When my own daughter was old enough to read them I was shocked to discover they were out of print. She read the first one and begged me to find the others. I did- in our own local library! When she was at the last chapter of the last book she was so upset knowing the story would soon be over. I remembered the feeling so well- how these stories were something to be savored. I hope someday they all will make it back into print for other girls to enjoy.

By: barb ziemer

barb ziemer — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 05:02:04 +0000

When I was in fourth grade, the school purchased a set of many books that were made available for our reading class. The wait for All of a Kind Family and Caddie Woodlawn was always the longest. Keep in mind that fourth grade for me was circa 1967 and little girls were still fighting about the books.

By: Louise

Louise — Thu, 31 May 2012 14:32:19 +0000

These books – oh, how my sister and I loved them as children! She liked Henny and Ella the best; I empathized more with book-loving Sarah. Mostly, we loved their squabbles and friendships, and their many simple adventures growing up.

And oh yes Genevieve, those hot chickpeas … mmm, I’m drooling now …

By: Genevieve

Genevieve — Thu, 24 May 2012 19:28:27 +0000

The other books are out of print, Madelyn. I was really upset when I found that out too! I bought them used online.

By: Madelyn

Madelyn — Thu, 24 May 2012 18:43:14 +0000

forgotTEN how to search, I mean.

By: Madelyn

Madelyn — Thu, 24 May 2012 18:42:40 +0000

These books were everything to me when I was a kid. Was just trying to find these for my daughter (my copies are so worn out) and was shocked and incredibly bummed to find that, except for the first one, they don’t seem to be in print? Unless I’ve completely forgot how to search for a book.

By: Jennfier Schultz

Jennfier Schultz — Thu, 24 May 2012 16:46:55 +0000

So they DO celebrate Hanukkah! I will have to go through it again. How did I miss this?

By: Genevieve

Genevieve — Thu, 24 May 2012 16:43:47 +0000

Pam craved a pickle; I already liked pickles, but I craved the “fine, hot chickpeas” Henny bought in a paper cone.

Jennifer, they definitely celebrate Hanukkah. It’s in More All-of-a-Kind-Family, and they peel onions for latkes, Ella answers Papa’s questions about what the letters on the dreidel stand for, and Henny takes home butternuts from Aunt Rivka’s house after the family party (Aunt Rivka tells her she can take as much as she can carry, so she fills an umbrella with the entire bowl of nuts).

Another beloved book that I voted for makes the list.