The Vanderbeekers and the Hidden Garden

The Vanderbeeker children — Jessie, Oliver, Hyacinth, and Laney (Isa is away at music camp) — are facing a dreary summer. But everything changes when beloved neighbor Mr. Jeet suffers a stroke, and he and Miss Josie are at the hospital for days and days. Mother goes, but the children aren’t allowed. The kids decide they want to build a community garden, something Mr. Jeet and Miss Josie have longed for, in time for Mr. Jeet’s return home. They break into a piece of barren land next to the church and make this their project. They receive help from many in the neighborhood (it takes a village) and create something wonderful, but evil Mr. Huxley has other plans for the lot.

Karina Yan Glaser has written a perfectly charming story that has a very old-fashioned feel to it, yet is set in the Harlem of today. The characters are well-rounded and very credible, the adventures are fun and exciting, and the story somewhat heart-wrenching. It’s nice to see the warm, caring relationships between children and the adults, both family and neighbors, in their lives. This kids cause realistic problems and make realistic mistakes, yet come up with solutions.