Taylor, Sydney Books

All-of-a-kind Family

Sydney Taylor, Helen John

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 91 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

There's something to be said for a book that makes you wish you'd been part of a poor immigrant family living in New York's upper east side on the eve of World War I. Sydney Taylor's time-honored classic does just that. Life is rich for the five mischievous girls in the family. They find adventure in visiting the library, going to market with Mama, even dusting the front room. Young readers who have never shared a bedroom with four siblings, with no television in sight, will vicariously experience the simple, old-fashioned pleasures of talk, make-believe, and pilfered penny candy. The family's Jewish faith strengthens their ties to each other, while providing still more excitement and opportunity for mischief. Readers unfamiliar with Judaism will learn with the girls during each beautifully depicted holiday. This lively family, subject of four more "all-of-a- kind" books, is full of unique characters, all deftly illustrated by Helen John. Taylor based the stories on her own childhood family, and the true-life quality of her writing gives this classic its page-turning appeal. (Ages 9 to 12)

Ella of All-of-a-Kind Family

Sydney Taylor

Amazon Price: $10.36 List Price: $12.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Taylor Productions Ltd Amazon Marketplace: 23 new & used starting at $6.23

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 11 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

OK, Just OK 2 out of 5 stars.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful.

I absolutely loved the All of a Kind Family series but I was disappointed in this one. As much as I liked Ella, I agreed with the reviewer who said she was disappointed in Ella. She was so close to her sisters in the other books but now she finds them a pain, especially Sarah, the one she was closest to. I realize Ella was 19 in this book, but Sarah was 15 so she and Ella should have had a lot more in common. I'm sorry the series ended with this book. I would have liked to see one more book--maybe one that took place 5 or 10 years later when the other children were young adults. I would have liked to have seen how they turned out. I also would have liked to have known about the 7th child. Was it a girl or a boy? It would have been nice to have some closure on this series.

By the way, just thought I'd throw this question out: Which child do you think Sydney Taylor was? Ella would have been too obvious. I thought maybe she was Charlotte since Charlotte was the dreamer and always making up stories, etc. But that might have been too obvious as well. Maybe Henny . . .

Editorial Review:

World War I has ended, and Ella, the oldest of the five sisters, who dreams of singing and dancing in the theater, is discovered by a Broadway talent scout. It seems that she will have her chance at a theatrical career after all, starting in vaudeville. But her thoughts are also on Jules, just returned from the War, and marriage. Once again a loving family provides the support needed to make the right decision.

All-of-a-Kind Family Downtown

Sydney Taylor

List Price: $13.95 By: Taylor Productions Ltd Amazon Marketplace: 8 new & used starting at $21.53

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 5 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

A story of family and friends 5 out of 5 stars.
16 of 16 people found this review helpful.

Although this is the 4th book of the series, it actually takes place between All-of-a-Kind Family and More All-of-a-Kind Family. This story is part of the continuing tale of a Jewish family living in New York's lower East Side in the early 1900's. Although they are poor, they are rich in their love of each other and their friends. Now there is a new baby in the house and talented Ella, mischevious Henny, studious Sarah, dreamy Charlotte, and little Gertie help Mama with the baby and find friends along the way. In this book, we meet Guido, a poor Italian boy who is trying to care for his sick mother and Miss Carey, a nurse who works at the Settlement House. Through the eyes of these characters, we understand what it must have been like growing up in the lower East Side before World War I. We learn about their sorrows and their joy over the little things in life. A highly recommended book.

Editorial Review:

Sydney Taylor grew up among immigrant families on New York City's Lower East Side prior to World War I and wrote the All-of-a-Kind Family stories for her daughter. Based on her family and childhood, these charming books capture the everyday life of a home with little money but lots of love and good times to share. Each book shares the ups and downs in the lives of this special family, through the eyes of Ella, Charlotte, Henny, Sarah, Gertie, and their little brother, Charlie.

More All-Of-A-Kind Family

Sydney Taylor

Amazon Price: $21.95 List Price: $21.95 Usually ships in 1 to 3 weeks By: Listen & Live Audio Amazon Marketplace: 7 new & used starting at $3.99

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Delightful Sequel 5 out of 5 stars.
16 of 17 people found this review helpful.

In this sequel, Ella finds a boyfriend and Henny disagrees with Papa over her curfew. This story continues the tale of a Jewish family who lived in the Lower East Side of New York in the early 1900's. Entertaining as well as educational, this book describes the joys and fears in that place and time. I also enjoyed learning about some of the Jewish traditions. A delightful classic that every little girl will enjoy.

A classic series about a large Jewish family in turn-of-the-century New York City... 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

Life in 1910s New York City is never dull for sisters Ella, Henny, Sarah, Charlotte and Gertie. Although poor, there's always a penny for candy at the corner store, as well as free adventures at the local library or their papa's junk store. Now Ella, a teenager, enters her first romance, and since their baby brother Charlie is growing older, he's finally able to have a free adventures of his own!

One terrible day, however, as the sisters are distracted with watching a wedding party exiting the temple, little Charlie toddles in front of a horse and wagon. With the driver unable to stop, tragedy seems inevitable...except for the intervention of a brave young immigrant woman.

After saving Charlie's life, Lena becomes an inextricable part of the family's lives. It seems perfectly natural when she's introduced to the girls' bachelor uncle Hyman, who's instantly smitten by the feisty independent woman.

But as summer and the couple's wedding nears, tragedy strikes in the form of polio. Will Lena become the children's aunt after all?

Along with their fun, there's also a strong background of the family's Jewish faith, which binds the community through good times and bad. No matter what happens, the girls know they're backed by the familiar traditions and a rich heritage.

Editorial Review:

In the third book of Sydney Taylor's classic children's series, Ella finds a boyfriend and Henny disagrees with Papa over her curfew. Thus continues the tale of a Jewish family of five sisters-Ella, Henny, Sarah, Charlotte and Gertie-and little brother, Charlie, living at the turn of the century in New York's Lower East Side. Entertaining and educational, this book brings to life the joys and fears of that time and place.

All-of-a-Kind Family Uptown

Sydney Taylor

List Price: $13.95 By: Taylor Productions Ltd Amazon Marketplace: 4 new & used starting at $54.52

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 6 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

The family moves to the Bronx 5 out of 5 stars.
10 of 10 people found this review helpful.

Ella, Henny, Sarah, Charlotte, Gertie, and baby Charlie move with their parents from New York's lower East Side to the Bronx in this wonderful sequel. In this story, Ella's beau joins the army to fight for the cause in WWI. You briefly learn about how the city was coping with the war over seas and about more Jewish traditions. This story is an educational delight for all ages and should be reprinted for the next generation of readers.

A great children's book - why is it out of print? 4 out of 5 stars.
8 of 8 people found this review helpful.

...I loved the entire series as a child, and this book was noexception. This book is also an excellent learning tool for children,Jewish or non-Jewish looking to learn more about Jewish culture in the earlier part of this century. The author writes with such a genuine affection for her subjects (her own family, apparently), the reader can't help but be drawn into the world of the story...END

Editorial Review:

Sydney Taylor grew up among immigrant families on New York City's Lower East Side prior to World War I and wrote the All-of-a-Kind Family stories for her daughter. Based on her family and childhood, these charming books capture the everyday life of a home with little money but lots of love and good times to share. Each book shares the ups and downs in the lives of this special family, through the eyes of Ella, Charlotte, Henny, Sarah, Gertie, and their little brother, Charlie.

More All-of-a-Kind Family [Unabridged CD Version]

Sydney Taylor

Amazon Price: $21.80 List Price: $27.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Listen & Live Audio, Inc. Amazon Marketplace: 7 new & used starting at $12.65

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Subjects -> Children's Books -> Authors & Illustrators, A-Z -> ( T ) -> Taylor, Sydney

Editorial Review:

It's the turn of the century in New York's Lower East Side and a sense of adventure and excitement abounds for five young sisters -- talented Ella, mischievous Henny, studious Sarah, dreamy Charlotte, and little Gertie!

In the third book of Sydney Taylor's classic children's series, Ella finds a boyfriend and Henny disagrees with Papa over her curfew. Entertaining and educational, this audiobook brings to life the joys and fears of that magical time and place!

A Papa Like Everyone Else

Sydney Taylor

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

One of My Favorite Childhood Books! 5 out of 5 stars.
14 of 14 people found this review helpful.

"Mama and her two young daughters, Szerena and Gisella, never thought they would be without Papa for five long years. Ever since he left their small farm in Czechoslovakia for America. they have been waiting for him to send for them. In the meantime, with the help of family and neighbors, Mama and the girls work on the farm. Every day Szerena wishes for "a papa like everyone else," but Gisella can't remember their papa, and wishes he had not gone away without them. Finally the big day arrives and Mama and the girls leave for America. What will it be like to travel on a train, and a ship? And what will happen when at last they see Papa?" This is a brief synopsis of a wonderful book by Sydney Taylor, who is better known for her "All-of-a-Kind Family" series. "A Papa Like Everyone Else" seems to be almost a precursor to those books and focuses on "the old world" of Eastern Europe. Hungarian and Czechoslovakian traditions and customs are explored, along with daily Jewish life in a small farming community in the early part of the 20th century. I wish someone would put this and the rest of Sydney Taylor's books back into print!

Dog Who Came to Dinner

Sydney Taylor

List Price: $8.90 By: Modern Curriculum Press Amazon Marketplace: 14 new & used starting at $0.99

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Surprise Ending. 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

My 8 year old read this to me from the textbook Tricky Troll by William Eller. It is very funny. The Stone family invites the new neighbors over for dinner. They bring a very badly behaved dog over with them. It has a great surprise ending. Recommended for grades 3-5th.

Editorial Review:

This collection features 96 books to give primary students varied book choices in a wide range of reading levels. Many of the books by well-known author, poet, and former first grade teacher Margaret Hillert. The series is divided in to four child-centered collections. Reading levels 1.5-2.0.

All-of-a-Kind Family

Sydney Taylor

By: Dell Publishing Amazon Marketplace: 4 new & used starting at $7.99

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Editorial Review:

A Yearling Book. "Five high-spirited little girls have simple but happy times together growing up on New York's Lower East Side at the turn of the century. " Charles W Follett Award winner.