On This Page
Description
Four New York City siblings decide to pool their resources so that each can do a special thing on the Saturday that is his turn to receive the combined allowance.Tags
Recommendations
Member Recommendations
cateringforcuriosity Both books involve the adventures of kids as they further explore their home towns, with 12-year-old Betsy and her friends in 1900s Minnesota and the Melendy family, ages 6-13, in pre-WWII New York City.
Member Reviews
Elizabeth Enright captures the drama, joy, and adventure of childhood in the books that make up her Melendy family series—true classics of children’s literature. The Saturdays, originally published in 1941 and the first novel in the series, introduces us to the New York City based family: Mona (13), Rush (12), Miranda/“Randy” (10½), Oliver (6), Mr. Melendy (a writer), Cuffy (the beloved housekeeper), and Willy Sloper (the handyman, who maintains the old coal furnace).
The story begins on a rainy summer afternoon. The children, lounging distractedly in the “Office”, their attic playroom, are thoroughly bored when Randy has the brilliant idea of pooling the siblings’ weekly allowances so each of the four can have a solo show more outing. And so “ISAAC”—the Independent Saturday Afternoon Adventure Club—is born. Randy goes first, since she came up with the idea. On the Saturdays that follow, each of her siblings will also venture out alone onto the streets of New York and return with a story that ultimately enriches the lives of the entire family. All of the children have particular artistic or scientific interests—Mona, in theatre; Rush, in classical music; Randy, in the visual arts and dance; and Oliver, in engineering, particularly trains. These interests guide what the kids will choose to do when their special Saturday comes..
In the course of the story, the children gain a dog, aptly named Isaac, whose breed Rush jokingly identifies variously as a “Bronx Beagle”, a “Central Park setter”, and an “Interborough Rapid Transit retriever” to anyone who inquires. They meet up with Mrs. Oliphant (an old family friend who knew their parents when young and who, herself, had a very surprising adventure of her own in childhood). They also experience excitement, fear, and alarm when their ramshackle house catches fire one afternoon and when the ancient coal furnace acts up in the middle of another night. There is a fascinating sequence in which Rush and Randy separately have very similar near-death-experience “dreams” (well before the details of such experiences were commonly documented for the public) apparently due to incipient carbon monoxide poisoning—caught in the nick of time.
The kids make some interesting and surprising discoveries about the world on their solo adventures. The girls hear stories from adults they meet, and realize that “Sometimes people are not the way they look.” Rush, who comes out of an opera matinee to find the city’s snow-clearing equipment fully engaged in battling the season’s biggest snowstorm, hears an old man make a strikingly modern observation: “Used to take a team of hosses pullin’ a snowplow to do a job like that . . . And hundreds of fellas out shovelin’ the way. Nowadays they do it all by machinery. Ain’t no work for nobody. That’s what’s the trouble with this world.” The man goes on to muse that he sometimes thinks a day will come “when these fellas build so much machinery that it will revolt; turn on ’em and swalla ’em up!”
So many contemporary works of children’s literature focus on afflictive emotions and the grudges between family members. That’s why reading about the energetic, loving (but never saccharine) Melendy siblings is such a delight. They genuinely like and care about each other.
I have never forgotten Enright’s The Four Story Mistake, which I read and loved as a child, and which I now plan to re-read. I wasn’t certain if I’d also read The Saturdays when young, but I know now that I did not. show less
The story begins on a rainy summer afternoon. The children, lounging distractedly in the “Office”, their attic playroom, are thoroughly bored when Randy has the brilliant idea of pooling the siblings’ weekly allowances so each of the four can have a solo show more outing. And so “ISAAC”—the Independent Saturday Afternoon Adventure Club—is born. Randy goes first, since she came up with the idea. On the Saturdays that follow, each of her siblings will also venture out alone onto the streets of New York and return with a story that ultimately enriches the lives of the entire family. All of the children have particular artistic or scientific interests—Mona, in theatre; Rush, in classical music; Randy, in the visual arts and dance; and Oliver, in engineering, particularly trains. These interests guide what the kids will choose to do when their special Saturday comes..
In the course of the story, the children gain a dog, aptly named Isaac, whose breed Rush jokingly identifies variously as a “Bronx Beagle”, a “Central Park setter”, and an “Interborough Rapid Transit retriever” to anyone who inquires. They meet up with Mrs. Oliphant (an old family friend who knew their parents when young and who, herself, had a very surprising adventure of her own in childhood). They also experience excitement, fear, and alarm when their ramshackle house catches fire one afternoon and when the ancient coal furnace acts up in the middle of another night. There is a fascinating sequence in which Rush and Randy separately have very similar near-death-experience “dreams” (well before the details of such experiences were commonly documented for the public) apparently due to incipient carbon monoxide poisoning—caught in the nick of time.
The kids make some interesting and surprising discoveries about the world on their solo adventures. The girls hear stories from adults they meet, and realize that “Sometimes people are not the way they look.” Rush, who comes out of an opera matinee to find the city’s snow-clearing equipment fully engaged in battling the season’s biggest snowstorm, hears an old man make a strikingly modern observation: “Used to take a team of hosses pullin’ a snowplow to do a job like that . . . And hundreds of fellas out shovelin’ the way. Nowadays they do it all by machinery. Ain’t no work for nobody. That’s what’s the trouble with this world.” The man goes on to muse that he sometimes thinks a day will come “when these fellas build so much machinery that it will revolt; turn on ’em and swalla ’em up!”
So many contemporary works of children’s literature focus on afflictive emotions and the grudges between family members. That’s why reading about the energetic, loving (but never saccharine) Melendy siblings is such a delight. They genuinely like and care about each other.
I have never forgotten Enright’s The Four Story Mistake, which I read and loved as a child, and which I now plan to re-read. I wasn’t certain if I’d also read The Saturdays when young, but I know now that I did not. show less
I want to be a Melendy. Nevermind the fact that I am a 35-year-old woman and that they fictitiously lived in the 1940s. I want to hang out in "The Office," the Melendy siblings' attic hangout complete with a saggy sofa, a trapeze swing, a piano and shelves and shelves of books. I want to traipse around New York City when $1.60 could buy a serious adventure.
But since I cannot be Melendy, I will settle for reading their adventures to my children. Next up: [b:The Four-Story Mistake|421642|The Four-Story Mistake (The Melendy Family, #2)|Elizabeth Enright|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1312232230s/421642.jpg|2666431].
But since I cannot be Melendy, I will settle for reading their adventures to my children. Next up: [b:The Four-Story Mistake|421642|The Four-Story Mistake (The Melendy Family, #2)|Elizabeth Enright|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1312232230s/421642.jpg|2666431].
How did I miss reading this lovely book series as a kid?? I was a voracious reader....and I loved books like this! But....some things are best saved for a later day? Maybe? I'm 51...and just now discovering these delightful books! I did not discover the joy that Enright's writing can bring until I came across Gone-Away Lake and Return to Gone-Away, totally by accident. I read those two books first (loved them!)...and then moved on to this series.
OMG...I had such fun reading this story! It is a bit dated (first published in 1941), but it didn't put a damper on my enjoyment of the story one bit. There are four children in the Melendy family -- Mona, Rush, Miranda, and 6-year old Oliver. They live with their father and a housekeeper, show more Cuffy. Cuffy is a beloved member of the family, stepping in as a substitute mom of sorts for the throng after the death of their mother. Father writes for a living, and offers up common sense wisdom when needed. He also complains about coal furnaces, the price of everything, and the woes of home repair, as all dads do. Mona wants to be an actress. Rush likes to joke around and loves the theater, especially opera. Miranda is a free spirit and just wants to be herself. And Oliver.....he's just a bit tired of being too little to do things like his siblings do. The kids are bored. Saturdays should be a day where they get to go out and do things...but money is a bit of a crunch. So, they decide to form a club and pool their money. Every Saturday one of them will get to go out and do something fun...whatever they choose. It's the 1940s....a kid can do a lot with $1.60! Each section of this book is a different Saturday....and a new adventure for each kid in the Melendy family and some shared excitement. Even some danger!
I listened to the audio book version of this story. Narrated by Pamela Dillman, the audio is just over 4 hours long. Dillman gives a great performance. And the story is just enchantingly fun! Every Saturday is an adventure! Fun is had -- lessons are learned -- life is lived. :)
When the book finished, I found myself wondering what I would have chosen to do on MY Saturday, if I had been a Melendy. At 12, I probably would have chosen a day at the zoo where I could wander at will and look at my favorite animals as long as I wanted to. Then a trip to a nearby bookstore, where I could browse the shelves and buy one book I really wanted....then sit outside in the sunshine for awhile and read. Then back home. :) That would have been the perfect day for me at 12. And, you know.....I think it would be a perfect day for me at 51, too!! :)
Moving on to the next book -- The Four-Story Mistake. There are four books in the series. And luckily my library has them all on audio! show less
OMG...I had such fun reading this story! It is a bit dated (first published in 1941), but it didn't put a damper on my enjoyment of the story one bit. There are four children in the Melendy family -- Mona, Rush, Miranda, and 6-year old Oliver. They live with their father and a housekeeper, show more Cuffy. Cuffy is a beloved member of the family, stepping in as a substitute mom of sorts for the throng after the death of their mother. Father writes for a living, and offers up common sense wisdom when needed. He also complains about coal furnaces, the price of everything, and the woes of home repair, as all dads do. Mona wants to be an actress. Rush likes to joke around and loves the theater, especially opera. Miranda is a free spirit and just wants to be herself. And Oliver.....he's just a bit tired of being too little to do things like his siblings do. The kids are bored. Saturdays should be a day where they get to go out and do things...but money is a bit of a crunch. So, they decide to form a club and pool their money. Every Saturday one of them will get to go out and do something fun...whatever they choose. It's the 1940s....a kid can do a lot with $1.60! Each section of this book is a different Saturday....and a new adventure for each kid in the Melendy family and some shared excitement. Even some danger!
I listened to the audio book version of this story. Narrated by Pamela Dillman, the audio is just over 4 hours long. Dillman gives a great performance. And the story is just enchantingly fun! Every Saturday is an adventure! Fun is had -- lessons are learned -- life is lived. :)
When the book finished, I found myself wondering what I would have chosen to do on MY Saturday, if I had been a Melendy. At 12, I probably would have chosen a day at the zoo where I could wander at will and look at my favorite animals as long as I wanted to. Then a trip to a nearby bookstore, where I could browse the shelves and buy one book I really wanted....then sit outside in the sunshine for awhile and read. Then back home. :) That would have been the perfect day for me at 12. And, you know.....I think it would be a perfect day for me at 51, too!! :)
Moving on to the next book -- The Four-Story Mistake. There are four books in the series. And luckily my library has them all on audio! show less
Mona, Rush, Randy, and Oliver Melendy live in New York City with their father and a housekeeper. The city is full of sights to see and great experiences, especially for children who dream of becoming dancers, actors, and musicians, but it’s also a bit expensive when you only get an allowance of fifty cents a week. One rainy Saturday, Randy gets the idea of pooling their resources: each Saturday, one of the four will get all of the allowances, resulting in a sum that, in the 1940s, is enough for a ticket to the opera or ballet, and various other adventures besides. Along the way, they also discover that the most enjoyable experiences are sometimes serendipitous (and free), and they make many new friends on their adventures.
This was show more lovely! I don’t know how I missed these charming stories until now. I ran across a mention of them in comparison to The Penderwicks, which is certainly apt. I’d also recommend them to fans of E. Nesbit, Sydney Taylor’s All-of-a-Kind Family, and Noel Streatfeild. I wish I could go back and recommend them to my childhood self! show less
This was show more lovely! I don’t know how I missed these charming stories until now. I ran across a mention of them in comparison to The Penderwicks, which is certainly apt. I’d also recommend them to fans of E. Nesbit, Sydney Taylor’s All-of-a-Kind Family, and Noel Streatfeild. I wish I could go back and recommend them to my childhood self! show less
What a delightful, old-fashioned story. I ate it up! Mona, Rush, Randy, and Oliver are the well-developed and individual Melendy children with their dog, Isaac, Father, Cuffy their surrogate mother, and Willy Sloper, the jack of all trades. Their Saturday adventures are of the simple sort, but momentous to children of their day. I especially enjoyed Randy meeting Mrs. Oliphant and Rush saving Isaac. Elizabeth Enright is an excellent writer with sometimes surprising, but lovely parts of speech: "...popcorn was bouncing frivolously" AND "...smooth elephant-colored bands of rock." I look forward to reading the remainder of the Melendy Quartet.
The Melendy Family series has always been one of the most beloved, influential, and significant books of my childhood and my life. I first read it at a very young age, and read it over and over and over again in the following years. It's remained a top favorite ever since. Reading these books again feels like coming home, and I feel like I know the characters as well as I know my own family. I remember almost every single chapter and scene so vividly. Somehow, it's been years and years since I last read this series - possibly even most of a decade. Way too long, regardless. And I'm so glad I decided to read them again! I'm enjoying every moment.
Given the above, it's impossible to sum up in a review what this book means to me, or even show more what it's about. All I can do is ramble a little about both, but this is only a fraction of what I could say. It's too much a part of my heart to properly express it all in words.
But I will say that it's a book about the fierce and enduring love of a family for each other. About the experience of growing up and changing and passing through stages of life. About a boisterous family of unique and lively people, who enjoy each moment of life to the full, who revel in the glories and beauties of nature and the world, who delight in interesting experiences, who are smart and creative, who are always learning and growing and seeking knowledge and skills - and who can never seem to escape adventure, even in the daily happenings of a normal life.
In the Melendys' first book, The Saturdays, the four Melendy siblings come up with a plan to take turns going on adventures every Saturday, and the book follows their weekly adventures growing up in New York City in the 1940s. Between unexpected joys and unexpected disasters, they encounter more adventure than even they could have planned! In the sequel, The Four-Story Mistake, the Melendys reluctantly move to a large, interesting house in the countryside, and end up adoring their new home and all it brings - and of course, they encounter even more adventures in their new life. The joyful and bittersweet times of growing up and going on to new things are continued in the sequels, Then There Were Five and Spiderweb for Two.
I enjoy each chapter and episode of the Melendy family's everyday adventures. They're humorous, entertaining, and exciting, and always full of heart as well as humor. The Melendys' deep love for and loyalty to each other, and their joyful pleasure in life and each other, is so wonderful to read about, and is evident on every page. I love family and sibling stories so much, and this is one of the best and most special I have read. The Melendy family holds an exalted place in my heart. It's a book that glows with bittersweet nostalgia of childhood past and current - all the more so for someone like me, who read it so many times as a child. But I think it would feel nostalgic and golden for anyone, child or adult - anyone will read it and feel the wonderful qualities of a childhood full of laughter, adventure, nature, and love.
The Melendy family always reminded me of my own family. Like ours, there were four siblings - a slightly bossy oldest sister, then a boy and a girl very close in age - though in my family, was the second sister, and my slightly-younger brother was the third child, instead of the other way around. Our personalities are even similar to the characters, in some ways. And in both families, following the three oldest siblings, very close in age, is a youngest brother a few years behind - so much alike. The difference is that a little while after I read this book so many times as a child, my family had a fifth child, a much-younger sister. I still think four children is a perfect number, as I always have, but now I think that five is equally perfect!
Each character in the series is vivid, lifelike, amusing, and real, and I connect with and love each one. I love each of the four Melendy siblings, and each of their family and friends. I've always identified so strongly with Randy, the third-oldest sister - her personallity, especially, but also her role in the family. She's an idealistic, joyful, sweet-hearted, artistic, accident-prone, imaginative dreamer, who loves everyone, and who doesn't seem as smart as the older siblings she admires. All of that is true for me as well - and like me, she's a young girl who doesn't like change, and wishes she could hold onto the past and keep everyone from growing up, as time marches on and things slip through her fingers.. As a child, and still as an adult, I see so much of myself in her. More than most other characters in existence. The book treats her with love and understanding, and it was comforting for me to read about her as a child.
And I enjoy each of the relationships between the characters. But I think I most enjoy the relationship and friendship between the middle brother and sister, Rush and Randy. I love how they're devoted and loyal to each other, and have so much fun together, going on excursions and joking around. And they support each other, and he protects her and comforts her when she's in need of it. They have such an easy, close friendship. I always envied that, as a child. My brother was barely more than a year younger than me, even closer in age than Rush and Randy - though in my case, the sister, not the brother, is older. But I was not friends with my brother - we couldn't stand each other and didn't get along. Whenever I read about a brother and sister who were close in age and were best friends, I always wished I had that. But as a child reading this book, I didn't have it. But now I do! My brother and I grew up and matured, and once we became teenagers, we became best friends. And I'm so glad. That's one of the best things that's every happened to me, and I'm thankful - going from constant fighting and bickering and dislike and unfriendly competition, to love and support and laughter and friendship. I treasure my friendship with my brother. I haven't read the Melendy books since before I gained that friendship, but reading it again now, it makes me so happy to see so much similarity between myself, my brother, and our relationship in Rush and Randy. The idealistic, imaginative girl, and the brilliant, cynical, brother - both full of laughter and fun.
One thing I am intensely aware of now, that I took for granted and didn't pay attention to as a child, is how fabulous and skilled the writing of these books are. I had forgotten that, because I didn't notice it consciously. I had to stop often while reading to take pleasure in so many well-crafted descriptions and metaphors. The way the author describes people, and nature, and thoughts and feelings, and even a city bus, is so masterful. And her characters are so vivid and unique and full of life, with just as natural and distinctive mannerisms and ways of speaking, and ways of being, as real people. And so, so many other things - the writing is just wonderful. I was not a writer as a child, but I am now, and I'm keenly aware of how glorious the writing of this series is.
Another thing I notice even more now that I'm older is how well the author handled so many things about what it's like to grow up - and one thing that stuck out was how well the Melendy parents love and take care of their family. But in such a realistic way. I appreciate that more now that I'm an adult, and now that I'm more aware of how wonderful my own parents are, even though I also see the flaws more clearly. One thing in particular that I notice about the Melendy family and the author's handling is how the children make mistakes and learn lessons - natural or intentional - and the parents handle it so well. They let them be independent and have adventures, and are there to catch them when they fall and lovingly let them know when they're wrong. And sometimes the children disobey and do something they know their parents would disapprove of, or that they know is wrong - and they make a mistake and learn a lesson. But the author handles it so well - we understand exactly why the children did it, and exactly why it wasn't a good idea, and just like in real life, there are natural consequences. The parenting and morality were handled so well.
My little sister is now old enough to read this series, and I cannot wait to share it with her. It will be so special, and I know she'll love it as much as the rest of my siblings and I always have - it's so wonderful to share favorite books with siblings who love them too. And this is such a sibling-centered book that it's all the more special.
I'm so glad I finally reread these books. It's been too long. I almost forgot how wonderful it is, and how much it means to me. But it's all fresh again now, and I'll surely be reading it again before that many more years pass again.
Given the above, it's impossible to sum up in a review what this book means to me, or even show more what it's about. All I can do is ramble a little about both, but this is only a fraction of what I could say. It's too much a part of my heart to properly express it all in words.
But I will say that it's a book about the fierce and enduring love of a family for each other. About the experience of growing up and changing and passing through stages of life. About a boisterous family of unique and lively people, who enjoy each moment of life to the full, who revel in the glories and beauties of nature and the world, who delight in interesting experiences, who are smart and creative, who are always learning and growing and seeking knowledge and skills - and who can never seem to escape adventure, even in the daily happenings of a normal life.
"Things like that never happen to us. We lead a humdrum life when I think about it. It's funny how it doesn't seem humdrum."
"That's because you have 'eyes the better to see with, my dear' and 'ears the better to hear with.' Nobody who has them and uses them is likely to find life humdrum very often. Even when they have to use bifocal lenses, like me."
In the Melendys' first book, The Saturdays, the four Melendy siblings come up with a plan to take turns going on adventures every Saturday, and the book follows their weekly adventures growing up in New York City in the 1940s. Between unexpected joys and unexpected disasters, they encounter more adventure than even they could have planned! In the sequel, The Four-Story Mistake, the Melendys reluctantly move to a large, interesting house in the countryside, and end up adoring their new home and all it brings - and of course, they encounter even more adventures in their new life. The joyful and bittersweet times of growing up and going on to new things are continued in the sequels, Then There Were Five and Spiderweb for Two.
I enjoy each chapter and episode of the Melendy family's everyday adventures. They're humorous, entertaining, and exciting, and always full of heart as well as humor. The Melendys' deep love for and loyalty to each other, and their joyful pleasure in life and each other, is so wonderful to read about, and is evident on every page. I love family and sibling stories so much, and this is one of the best and most special I have read. The Melendy family holds an exalted place in my heart. It's a book that glows with bittersweet nostalgia of childhood past and current - all the more so for someone like me, who read it so many times as a child. But I think it would feel nostalgic and golden for anyone, child or adult - anyone will read it and feel the wonderful qualities of a childhood full of laughter, adventure, nature, and love.
The Melendy family always reminded me of my own family. Like ours, there were four siblings - a slightly bossy oldest sister, then a boy and a girl very close in age - though in my family, was the second sister, and my slightly-younger brother was the third child, instead of the other way around. Our personalities are even similar to the characters, in some ways. And in both families, following the three oldest siblings, very close in age, is a youngest brother a few years behind - so much alike. The difference is that a little while after I read this book so many times as a child, my family had a fifth child, a much-younger sister. I still think four children is a perfect number, as I always have, but now I think that five is equally perfect!
Each character in the series is vivid, lifelike, amusing, and real, and I connect with and love each one. I love each of the four Melendy siblings, and each of their family and friends. I've always identified so strongly with Randy, the third-oldest sister - her personallity, especially, but also her role in the family. She's an idealistic, joyful, sweet-hearted, artistic, accident-prone, imaginative dreamer, who loves everyone, and who doesn't seem as smart as the older siblings she admires. All of that is true for me as well - and like me, she's a young girl who doesn't like change, and wishes she could hold onto the past and keep everyone from growing up, as time marches on and things slip through her fingers.. As a child, and still as an adult, I see so much of myself in her. More than most other characters in existence. The book treats her with love and understanding, and it was comforting for me to read about her as a child.
And I enjoy each of the relationships between the characters. But I think I most enjoy the relationship and friendship between the middle brother and sister, Rush and Randy. I love how they're devoted and loyal to each other, and have so much fun together, going on excursions and joking around. And they support each other, and he protects her and comforts her when she's in need of it. They have such an easy, close friendship. I always envied that, as a child. My brother was barely more than a year younger than me, even closer in age than Rush and Randy - though in my case, the sister, not the brother, is older. But I was not friends with my brother - we couldn't stand each other and didn't get along. Whenever I read about a brother and sister who were close in age and were best friends, I always wished I had that. But as a child reading this book, I didn't have it. But now I do! My brother and I grew up and matured, and once we became teenagers, we became best friends. And I'm so glad. That's one of the best things that's every happened to me, and I'm thankful - going from constant fighting and bickering and dislike and unfriendly competition, to love and support and laughter and friendship. I treasure my friendship with my brother. I haven't read the Melendy books since before I gained that friendship, but reading it again now, it makes me so happy to see so much similarity between myself, my brother, and our relationship in Rush and Randy. The idealistic, imaginative girl, and the brilliant, cynical, brother - both full of laughter and fun.
One thing I am intensely aware of now, that I took for granted and didn't pay attention to as a child, is how fabulous and skilled the writing of these books are. I had forgotten that, because I didn't notice it consciously. I had to stop often while reading to take pleasure in so many well-crafted descriptions and metaphors. The way the author describes people, and nature, and thoughts and feelings, and even a city bus, is so masterful. And her characters are so vivid and unique and full of life, with just as natural and distinctive mannerisms and ways of speaking, and ways of being, as real people. And so, so many other things - the writing is just wonderful. I was not a writer as a child, but I am now, and I'm keenly aware of how glorious the writing of this series is.
Another thing I notice even more now that I'm older is how well the author handled so many things about what it's like to grow up - and one thing that stuck out was how well the Melendy parents love and take care of their family. But in such a realistic way. I appreciate that more now that I'm an adult, and now that I'm more aware of how wonderful my own parents are, even though I also see the flaws more clearly. One thing in particular that I notice about the Melendy family and the author's handling is how the children make mistakes and learn lessons - natural or intentional - and the parents handle it so well. They let them be independent and have adventures, and are there to catch them when they fall and lovingly let them know when they're wrong. And sometimes the children disobey and do something they know their parents would disapprove of, or that they know is wrong - and they make a mistake and learn a lesson. But the author handles it so well - we understand exactly why the children did it, and exactly why it wasn't a good idea, and just like in real life, there are natural consequences. The parenting and morality were handled so well.
My little sister is now old enough to read this series, and I cannot wait to share it with her. It will be so special, and I know she'll love it as much as the rest of my siblings and I always have - it's so wonderful to share favorite books with siblings who love them too. And this is such a sibling-centered book that it's all the more special.
I'm so glad I finally reread these books. It's been too long. I almost forgot how wonderful it is, and how much it means to me. But it's all fresh again now, and I'll surely be reading it again before that many more years pass again.
But Randy couldn't help feeling that there were many miracles in her life. Wasn't it a miracle to live in the country in spring? And to have a wonderful family that she was crazy about, and a house with a secret room and a cupola, and to be eleven and a half years old, and very good at riding a bicycle?show less
Anyway, that's how I feel today, thought Randy. Tomorrow maybe I'll feel some other way; cranky, or dull, or just natural. But that's how I feel today.
A charming series of episodes featuring children who are so pragmatic and straightforward as to feel timeless, when the actual setting of New York City in the 1940s is very firmly in the past. Enright uses language that just feels right in describing the thoughts and responses of ordinary children having little adventures and experiencing aspects of life for the first time.
Members
- Recently Added By
Lists
Favorite Childhood Books
1,646 works; 514 members
Best Children's Books You've Read
197 works; 74 members
1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up
774 works; 100 members
School Library Journal - 2012 Top 100 Children's Novels
68 works; 8 members
Childhood Favorites
427 works; 24 members
Five in a Row
144 works; 8 members
NPRs Ultimate Backseat Bookshelf: 100 Must-Reads for kids 9-14
222 works; 30 members
Satori Smiles Children's Book List
262 works; 7 members
Ambleside Books
459 works; 18 members
Books Set in New York City
127 works; 21 members
Honey For a Child's Heart
1,152 works; 25 members
4th Grade Books
312 works; 5 members
CCE 1000 Good Books List
1,033 works; 12 members
Urban Fiction
74 works; 7 members
Here There Be Dragons
143 works; 23 members
Top Five Books of 2018
802 works; 264 members
Museums -- children's/young adult fiction
65 works; 2 members
Ambleside Y3
36 works; 1 member
Children's Literature 1900 - 1950 in order
413 works; 8 members
Newbery Adjacent
747 works; 3 members
Books Read in 2022
5,166 works; 114 members
Five in a Row
174 works; 2 members
Ambleside Year 3
47 works; 1 member
HMS: Make Your Child a Lover of Books, Ages 9 & up
111 works; 2 members
Author Information
26+ Works 12,371 Members
Some Editions
Series
Belongs to Publisher Series
Work Relationships
Is contained in
Common Knowledge
- Original title
- The Saturdays
- Original publication date
- 1941
- People/Characters
- Mona Melendy; Rush Melendy; Randy Melendy (Miranda); Oliver Melendy; Cuffy (Mrs. Evangeline Cuthbert-Stanley, housekeeper & cook); Willy Sloper (furnace man) (show all 9); Martin Melendy (Father, widower of Nora); Isaac (a mutt, part spaniel); Mrs. Oliphant (Gabrielle, a valued family friend)
- Important places
- New York, New York, USA
- Dedication
- For Lisa
- First words
- "It would have to rain today," said Rush, lying flat on his back in front of the fire.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)"Now it's going to be Saturday every day all summer long," said Randy, and yawned a wide, peaceful, happy yawn.
Classifications
- Genres
- Children's Books, Kids, Fiction and Literature
- DDC/MDS
- 813.52 — Literature & rhetoric American literature in English American fiction in English 1900-1999 1900-1945
- LCC
- PZ7 .E724 .S — Language and Literature Fiction and juvenile belles lettres Fiction and juvenile belles lettres Juvenile belles lettres
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 2,066
- Popularity
- 10,009
- Reviews
- 37
- Rating
- (4.29)
- Languages
- Danish, Dutch, English, Italian
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 20
- UPCs
- 1
- ASINs
- 20