Sydney Taylor's beloved All-of-a-Kind Family series chronicles a Jewish
immigrant family at the beginning of the twentieth century. The richly
drawn characters, based on Taylor's own life, include five
sisters--Ella, Henny, Sarah, Charlotte, Gertie--and their mischievous
brother, Charlie. The second book in the series, this YA classic
presents a vivid and humorous portrait of life at the turn of the
century, as WWI approaches, a single uncle finds love, and a new
friendship blooms among latkes and the library.
Born in 1904 on New York's Lower East Side, Sydney Taylor was one of
the first authors of children's books centered on Jewish characters, and
is especially known for the immensely popular All-of-a-Kind Family
series. The Sydney Taylor Book Award is given each year by the Jewish
Association of Libraries to a book for young people that authentically
portrays the Jewish experience.