The Four-Story Mistake

The Four-Story Mistake follows the four Melendy children as they move from New York City to an unusual country house during World War II. Their new home, nicknamed "The Four-Story Mistake" by locals, becomes the setting for their next chapter of life with their economics professor father and their housekeeper Cuffy. The children explore their distinctive new residence and its surrounding countryside, uncovering hidden spaces and buried treasures. Each sibling - Mona, Rush, Randy, and Oliver - encounters personal challenges and makes discoveries both in and around the house, which holds decades-old secrets within its walls. This 1942 novel, part of Elizabeth Enright's Melendy series, explores themes of adaptation, discovery, and the bonds of family. The wartime setting and the children's growth through change provide a backdrop for their adventures and self-discovery.

Readers describe The Four-Story Mistake as a comforting, nostalgic family story. Many reviews note how it captures everyday life through the adventures and discoveries of the Melendy children in their new country house. Readers appreciate: - Natural, realistic sibling interactions - The blend of humor and heart - Rich descriptions that bring scenes to life - Historical details of 1940s American life - The children's independence and creativity Common criticisms: - Slower pace compared to modern children's books - Some dated cultural references - Limited conflict or dramatic tension Ratings: Goodreads: 4.24/5 (3,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (240+ ratings) Several reviewers mention re-reading it multiple times since childhood. One Goodreads reviewer writes: "The details of their daily life are so vivid I feel like I lived in that house too." Amazon reviewers frequently recommend it for ages 8-12 who enjoy gentle family stories.

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

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🌟 The Melendy family series, including "The Four-Story Mistake," was inspired by Elizabeth Enright's own childhood experiences in a rambling country house. 🌟 The book was published in 1942 at the height of World War II, making it a valuable historical snapshot of American home front life during wartime. 🌟 Elizabeth Enright won the 1939 Newbery Medal for her book "Thimble Summer," establishing her as one of the premier children's authors of the mid-20th century. 🌟 The architectural oddity of the Four-Story Mistake house was based on real Victorian-era buildings that often featured cupolas, which were sometimes called "widow's walks" in coastal areas. 🌟 The book is the second installment in a quartet of Melendy family novels, following "The Saturdays" (1941) and preceding "Then There Were Five" (1944) and "Spiderweb for Two" (1951).