We're reading All of a Kind Family right now.

[conuly]

(I've really got to get the rest of the books.)

We started it before, but wandered off for a bit. Now we're going right through.

Now, I'd like to visit the Tenement Museum when we're done... and maybe see if I can find their library, stop by the playground, that sort of thing. (Was the playground even there when the book is set? I know it's one of the first playgrounds in the nation.)

Here's the thing. There are two tours that have to do with the right time period and Jewish families, and since this is a book featuring a Jewish family I want to go on the right tour. One of them is designed for families (kids 5+) and you can wander around and touch the stuff and all. The OTHER one seems closer to Sidney Taylor's family, though... but it's really for a slightly older group, 8+. The tickets are very expensive, and kids don't get that big a discount, so it's not like we'll take two tours this year.

Oh, I'll probably do the one that allows for more participation. I just hate having to make a choice!

Comments

[steorra]

I wonder if I read that a very long time ago.

I wonder if it's the book where the mother used to hide pennies that the child who was dusting would find if they did a thorough enough job.

...
Google seems to suggest that it is.

[dogstar]

Yes, it is! Those are so awesome!

[conuly]

Yes it is, though mostly she hid buttons. And only once in a while.

[ncp.livejournal.com]

Read a few more of the books first. My favorite episode was when the tomboy sister wore the oldest sister's dress to a party and got tea on it, then had to dye it in her friend's tub. I think that was the third or fourth book. I tried to dye stuff in tea after that. Didn't work.

Also the librarian and the dad's protege being star-crossed lovers. Which book was that? And PURIM! And the time everyone got scarlet fever right before Passover.

Good Lord, I need to read these books again too....

[conuly]

Oh, I've read all the books, I just don't have all the books anymore!

Also the librarian and the dad's protege being star-crossed lovers. Which book was that? And PURIM! And the time everyone got scarlet fever right before Passover.

First book, all three incidents.

[jedirita.livejournal.com]

Oooh! There's like a real place behind those books? I mean, other than NYC itself. What's the Tenement Museum? So cool!

[conuly]

Well, the books were based on the author's childhood, so yes. Sidney Taylor was Sarah when she was young, she changed her name when she grew up. The only one of her siblings' names to get changed in the books was her first brother, "Charlie".

She doesn't bother to give us street names or anything, so figuring out where things are would be a hassle (although the Settlement House is most definitely still in existence) but she did generally tell us where her family lived, on the LES, though that neighborhood has changed over the years.

http://www.tenement.org/tours.php

[jedirita.livejournal.com]

So....when the padawan and I come to Nueva York, we can stay with you, yes? 'Cos who can afford it otherwise....

Maybe I can talk my sister into going. She read all those books too.