Ella of All-of-a-Kind Family

Ella Marmelstein, one of five sisters in a Jewish family living in New York City's Lower East Side in the early 1900s, takes center stage in this sequel to the All-of-a-Kind Family series. The teenage Ella must navigate her aspirations for the theater while balancing her family's traditional values and expectations. The story follows Ella's experiences with an acting troupe and her first romantic relationship, set against the backdrop of Manhattan's vibrant Jewish immigrant community. Her family's reactions to her choices create tension as she works to pursue her dreams while maintaining her cultural identity. As World War I looms on the horizon, Ella and her family face changes that will affect their tight-knit community and way of life. The family's faith, traditions, and celebrations continue to anchor their experiences through uncertain times. This coming-of-age story explores themes of identity, family bonds, and the intersection of tradition with modern American life. Through Ella's journey, the narrative examines how young people maintain their cultural heritage while pursuing individual dreams.

Readers note this book offers a simpler, more focused story compared to others in the All-of-a-Kind Family series, as it follows just Ella rather than all five sisters. Liked: - Authentic portrayal of Jewish traditions and early 1900s NYC life - Romance subplot feels age-appropriate - Shows real consequences of characters' choices - Clear historical details about vaudeville and theater life Disliked: - Less family interaction than previous books - Some found the story predictable - Several readers wished for more scenes with the other sisters - A few noted it feels "rushed" compared to earlier books Ratings: Goodreads: 4.14/5 (466 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (31 ratings) One frequent comment from reviews: "Not as engaging as the first books, but still worth reading for fans of the series." Multiple readers specifically praised the accurate theater history details, with one noting "You can tell Taylor drew from personal experience in vaudeville."

All-of-a-Kind Family by Sydney Taylor A Jewish immigrant family with five daughters navigates life in New York City's Lower East Side during the early 1900s.

The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall Four sisters spend their summer exploring the grounds of a Massachusetts estate while their widowed father works.

Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder A pioneer family builds a life on the American frontier in the 1870s, facing challenges and celebrating simple joys together.

One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia Three sisters travel to Oakland in 1968 to spend the summer with their poet mother and discover the Black Panther movement.

The Saturdays by Elizabeth Enright Four siblings in 1940s New York City pool their allowances to take turns having solo adventures in Manhattan.

🌟 Author Sydney Taylor based the books on her own childhood growing up in a Jewish immigrant family on New York's Lower East Side in the early 1900s. 📚 The All-of-a-Kind Family series began in 1951 with the first book, but "Ella" wasn't published until 1978, shortly after Taylor's death. 🏆 The Sydney Taylor Book Award, given annually by the Association of Jewish Libraries, was established in the author's memory to recognize excellence in Jewish children's literature. 🗽 The book provides authentic details about immigrant life in early 20th century New York, including the pushcart markets, penny candy stores, and the growing labor movement. ✡️ The series was groundbreaking for its time as one of the first mainstream children's book series to feature Jewish main characters and portray Jewish traditions and holidays in a positive light.