The Saturdays

These favorites from the '40s feature the four Melendy children. In the first book, they pool their allowances so that each gets a turn to have a solitary adventure in New York City; in the second, an old country house becomes the site for further escapades. Ages 8-12. (June) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

All four books about the intelligent, opinionated, imaginative, and endlessly curious Melendy kids have been reissued in hardcover with cheerful new cover art by Tricia Tusa. Thankfully, Enright's interior illustrations have all been retained. The books have an old-fashioned feel, but there's nothing sentimental about them. [Review covers these Melendy Quartet titles: [cf2]The Four-Story Mistake, The Saturdays, Spiderweb for Two[cf1], and [cf2]Then There Were Five[cf1] From HORN BOOK Spring 2003, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

The four Melendy children live with their father and Cuffy, their beloved housekeeper, in a worn but comfortable brownstone in New York City. There's thirteen-year-old Mona, who has decided to become an actress; twelve-year-old mischievous Rush; ten-year-old Randy who loves to dance and paint; and thoughtful Oliver, who is just six-years-old.Tired of wasting Saturdays doing nothing but wishing for larger allowances, the four Melendys jump at Randy's idea to start the Independent Saturday Afternoon Adventure Club (I.S.A.A.C.). If they pool their resources and take turns spending the whole amount, they can each have at least one memorable Saturday afternoon of their own. Before long, I.S.A.A.C. is in operation and every Saturday is definitely one to remember.Written more than a half century ago, The Saturdays unfolds with all the ripe details of a specific place and period but remains a winning, timeless tale. Excerpted from The Saturdays by Elizabeth Enright All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.