One hilarious Harlem family is on a mission to find the perfect way to celebrate their Papa's fortieth birthday while discovering more about their mysterious grandparents in this heartfelt romp and latest installment to the New York Times best-selling series, perfect for fans of the Penderwicks. It's summer on 141st Street, and the Vanderbeekers are looking forward to Papa's surprise fortieth birthday party. But then Papa must leave town to help his best friend and the Vanderbeeker children are surprisedto find their maternal grandparents on their doorstep. Grandma is very critical of everything they do. Meanwhile, they find themselves learning more about their papa's father than ever before, and wishing they could have known him a bit better. Can they learn more about the grandfather they lost and come to appreciate the grandparents they still have while making sure their papa has the best birthday ever? - (Baker & Taylor)

Excited for Papa’s surprise 40th birthday party, the Vanderbeeker children learn more about their mysterious grandparents while waiting for the celebration to start. 40,000 first printing. Simultaneous eBook. - (Baker & Taylor)

Excited for Papa's surprise fortieth birthday party, the Vanderbeeker children learn more about their mysterious grandparents while waiting for the celebration to start. - (Baker & Taylor)

Witness the power of family history and family love in this funny, poignant addition to a series that the New York Times Book Review hails as “delightful and heartwarming.”

It’s summer on 141st Street, and the Vanderbeekers are looking forward to Papa’s surprise fortieth birthday party. But when Papa must leave town suddenly to help his best friend, trouble in the form of their distant grandparents shows up on their doorstep.

Not only must the Vanderbeekers face the disappointment of ruined plans, but they have more than one family secret to solve if they are going to give Papa the special birthday he deserves.

The New York Times bestselling Vanderbeekers series is perfect for fans of the Penderwicks. As ALA Booklist commented in a starred review: “Few families in children’s literature are as engaging or amusing as the Vanderbeekers, even in times of turmoil.”

The series includes:

• The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street
• The Vanderbeekers and the Hidden Garden
• The Vanderbeekers to the Rescue
• The Vanderbeekers Lost and Found
• The Vanderbeekers Make a Wish
• The Vanderbeekers on the Road
• The Vanderbeekers Ever After

School Library Journal Reviews

Gr 3–7—Isa, Jessie, Oliver, Hyacinth, and Laney Vanderbeeker are at it again in another adorable, kid-centered adventure in Glaser's successful and endearing series. Oliver and Papa are about to take off on a pre–seventh grade camping trip when Papa is suddenly called away for a family emergency. Oliver and his sisters are left at home as his mom tries to stay ahead at the bakery, all while dealing with a (mostly unwelcome) surprise visit from Grandma and Grandpa. While trying to plan a great birthday party for Papa when he returns, the kids begin to unravel a mystery about their deceased maternal grandfather, Pop-Pop, that helps reveal more about the lives of all of the grandparents. Of course, the normal silliness ensues with the pets and kids via slimy lettuce, food coloring and day trips around New York. With the suspension of reality, the ending is quite heartwarming and continues in the same vein as the four previous Vanderbeeker novels. Should this fifth installment be picked up first, it can certainly be a hook to go back and start at the beginning once finished. Lovers of Jeanne Birdsall's "Penderwicks" series will find real comfort in Glaser's characters and situations. VERDICT This latest in a staple series is a must for any middle grade collection.—Kim Gardner, Fort Worth Country Day Sch., TX