The thing I love most about Karina Yan Glaser is the way she sees children's thoughts and struggles and writes them into her characters so that every reader will have someone in the Vanderbeeker family they can relate to! Oliver, the only boy surrounded by girls, is constantly snaffling cookies from the kitchen and escaping to his book lined bedroom for a foray into treasure island - but he's not above creeping in to comfort a sister or two when he hears them sobbing down the corridor. Jess is a tomboy, conflicted about her twin Isa's desire to go to the ball so she won't tell her that Benny in the baker shop really wants to ask her out.....but she can't get away for her guilt about it, which just comes out as prickliness and grumpiness no matter how hard she tries! Hyacinth is, in nature, the middle child, sneaking down early in the morning to squeeze in five minutes alone snuggled up with her Papa before everyone else descends, and Laney is the zany and lovable littlest sister who embodies every youngest sibling in her constant chatter which is never anything to do with what everyone else is talking about! Together, they hatch plan after plan to persuade their grouchy landlord, Mr Beiderman, to relent and let them stay in their home....but Mr Beiderman has a story of his own, and unless they can tap into it, their chances are slim....Written with honesty, humour, and an insight into the joys and chaos of family life that constantly raises a smile, it's a lovely story and highly recommended!