Module 2 All-of-a-Kind Family

Taylor, Sydney. ( 1951).  All-of-a-Kind Family.  New York:  Bantam Doubleday Dell.

Summary

All-of-a-Kind Family by Sydney Taylor is set in the year 1912 in the lower East side of New York.  It describes the daily life and adventures of a family of five daughters, a mother, and father.  The family is Jewish, and lives in a predominantly Jewish neighborhood.   The reader is exposed to many Jewish holidays and traditions in this setting.  The book’s individual chapters consist of events such as a lost library book, the dullness of doing chores, a daughter’s bad mood, and visiting their father’s junk shop.   The girls have Scarlet Fever in one chapter, and the house must be quarantined.  The book has one story line that extends throughout the chapters.  A friend of the family, Charlie, is missing a woman he was once in love with and he looks for her constantly.  At the end of the story, the girls’ favorite ‘library lady’ visits the family, and she turns out to be Charlie’s lost love.  The book ends with the mother giving birth to a son, and the father being thrilled to have a son after having five daughters.

My Impression

All-of-a-Kind Family is the type of book I would have devoured when I was 8 or 9 years old.  It gives a glimpse not only into history -1912- but also into a different culture, an observant Jewish family.  Although this book was written in the 1950s, I think that because it was historical fiction when it was written, it does not become dated.   The one thing that did bother me a bit was the father’s reaction to finally having a son after having five daughters.  The father was thrilled, as was the whole community, and it was openly stated that it was so wonderful to finally have a son.  However, this would have been a realistic reaction in the culture and time period.  I think this was a wonderful book, both entertaining and educational.   It was the first of a series, and four other books follow.   I did not have this book in my library, and had to borrow it from my mentor’s library.  Her library has been open for about 15 years, and she commented when she gave it to me that she didn't think anyone had ever checked it out in 15 years.  While I think it is a worthwhile read, I can see where it might not appeal to today’s children.  I might suggest she display it, perhaps near the American Girl Series, to increase interest.

Library Usage

Each chapter of this book tells a short story.  There is one chapter that discusses the Jewish holiday Purim and how the family celebrates it.  Reading this chapter aloud could provide information on other cultures.  Students could then compare some of the elements of Purim, such as dressing up in costumes, to other traditions that are similar, such as dressing up at Halloween.  A Venn diagram could be used to compare Purim to a more known holiday.  Reading a chapter of the book might also result in some students wanting to read the entire book themselves.

Reviews

Written in the early 1950s and set at the turn of-the century in New York City's Lower East Side, Sydney Taylor's All-of-a-Kind books remain a staple with readers who enjoy building long, comfortable relationships with fictional families. The events these five children encounter are definitely domestic in nature—a lost library book, a family-sized bout with Scarlet Fever—right up to the satisfying, if highly unlikely, reunion of two young lovers parted by misfortune.

Hearn, M. (2001). Toto, I've a Feeling We're Not in Kansas City Anymore...or Detroit...or
         Washington DC!. Horn Book Magazine, 77(1), 16-34.

Gr 3-6-Five young sisters experience life in New York’s Lower East Side at the beginning of the 20th century in this reading of Sydney Taylor’s story (Follett, 1951). The close-knit group encounters everyday realities such as boring chores, missing library books, and trips to the Rivington Street market, as well as those details which bring the early 1900′s to life–scarlet fever, peddlers, and bathing at Coney Island. Woven into the story are the traditions and holidays of the Jewish religion. The girls celebrate the Sabbath with Hebrew prayers, and dress up for Purim so they can deliver baskets to friends and relatives. Suzanne Toren delivers flawless narration, using different accents to distinguish between characters of various cultures and backgrounds. Her intonations and pacing ably reflect the actions and emotions of the characters and fully convey the warmth and humor of the story. This excellent audiobook will find an eager audience in schools and public libraries which need materials reflecting the Jewish culture or serve children who enjoy family stories such as Little Women and Little House on the Prairie.- (Paula L. Setser, School Library Journal, 2001)

Setser, P. L., & Mandell, P. (2001). Multimedia Review: AUDIO. School Library  Journal,          47(2), 66.