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Four reasons to cheer!
Meet the Melendys! Mona, the eldest, is thirteen. She has decided to become an actress and can recite poetry ... read full description
Meet the Melendys! Mona, the eldest, is thirteen. She has decided to become an actress and can recite poetry ... read full description
reviews
Jul 02, 2011
Melody
rated it: 
07/11
This time through, I was struck anew by the brilliance of Enright's writing. She's subtle, she's hilarious, she's... well, brilliant. I suspect she's a large part of the reason I'm such a harsh Goodreads rater.
This book is one of my favorites. Each of the characters is so distinct, so singular, so real (even the dogs, for heaven's sake) that the inclusion of "Mona said" and "Rush said" is practically superfluous.
The storyline is lovely. The More...
This time through, I was struck anew by the brilliance of Enright's writing. She's subtle, she's hilarious, she's... well, brilliant. I suspect she's a large part of the reason I'm such a harsh Goodreads rater.
This book is one of my favorites. Each of the characters is so distinct, so singular, so real (even the dogs, for heaven's sake) that the inclusion of "Mona said" and "Rush said" is practically superfluous.
The storyline is lovely. The More...
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May 13, 2010
Joel
rated it:
This is the second of four books in Elizabeth Enright's series about the Melendy kids. My 11 year old loves these books, so I am reading them with her. This one is even better than the first one (which I loved). Although a little old-fashioned in its style (written in the 1940s), the adventures of the four Melendy kids, this time in their new old house in the country are exciting, mischievous, but wholesome tales that will entertain children (and adults as well). The best thing is that this
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May 06, 2010
Linda
rated it: 
There is nothing spectacular about it, no complicated plot, no difficult story line, and there is no page turning, cannot wait to get to the end feeling.
But, there is a calm sense of wonderment regarding the way in which the author painted an idyllic childhood of four lovely children who were uprooted from a house in the city to a large mansion-like structure in the country.
There is a loving widowed father, a nanny who is kind and gentle, a dog, and warm food and cool dri More...
But, there is a calm sense of wonderment regarding the way in which the author painted an idyllic childhood of four lovely children who were uprooted from a house in the city to a large mansion-like structure in the country.
There is a loving widowed father, a nanny who is kind and gentle, a dog, and warm food and cool dri More...
Oct 06, 2011
Jenn
rated it: 
This is book two in the series and once again the nostalgia pulled me in. I love the writing of 1942 and the references of things long forgotten today. An easier simplier time of childhood innocence and exploration. Unlike the first one, this one deals with a more intense time by reference a World War II. The children are saving money to buy bonds and collecting paper and metal for scrap drives to help the war effort.
I think the thing that enchanted me the most about this particu More...
I think the thing that enchanted me the most about this particu More...
Jul 10, 2011
Heather
rated it:
The Four-Story Mistake, the sequel to The Saturdays, picks up some months after that book left off: it's October, and the Melendy family is moving out of their Manhattan brownstone to a house in the country. As in The Saturdays, the characters and the story are charming, and Enright is emotionally astute: I loved this, from moving day: Randy is looking around at the empty room she used to share with Mona, talking to herself "crossly because she was sad and she preferred sounding cross to s
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Mar 26, 2011
Carolyn
rated it:
The second humorous book in the Melendy family series. The four children adjust to life in the country in their house called The Four-Story Mistake. Their father spends time writing and lecturing away from home often. Cuffy, their housekeeper and nanny, gives them structure and discipline. Mona, Rush, Miranda (Randy) and Oliver discover new interests and hobbies as they explore their new surroundings. They dance, act, play fabulous piano and gather moths. They become friends with many diff
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Jan 16, 2010
Melissa
rated it:
It hasn't taken long, but I think Enright is now solidly on my list of favorite writers.
In Four-Story Mistake, there is a another fabulous house, plenty of adventures, and some truly great characters. I love how WWII is an undercurrent throughout, but not a huge focus. And Oliver. I adore Oliver, especially since I've known boys like him.
Parts of Enright's writing is just luminous--I wanted to take a pencil and underline some of her wonderful sentences. Alas, it is a library book More...
In Four-Story Mistake, there is a another fabulous house, plenty of adventures, and some truly great characters. I love how WWII is an undercurrent throughout, but not a huge focus. And Oliver. I adore Oliver, especially since I've known boys like him.
Parts of Enright's writing is just luminous--I wanted to take a pencil and underline some of her wonderful sentences. Alas, it is a library book More...
Aug 10, 2011
LauraW
rated it:
Although this is much older than the Penderwicks books, it reminds me of them. It is bit too sweet, reminiscent of a different era, where children played outside without supervision, wrote plays and performed them at home, were nice to all of the members of their families, and were supported by everyone in the community. It makes me a bit nostalgic. But, perversely, I also long to see a little orneriness here and there, too. I guess it is a bit of orneriness in myself that can't help thinkin
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Dec 13, 2011
Susan
rated it:
A very nice juvenile story. Holds alot of nostalgia and sweetness from a slower and simpler place in time. That is, if you can get past the 'golly' and 'swell' exclamations within the text! :)
None of the children got up to anything terribly bad - the worst thing was sneaking out of a bedroom window to sit in a treehouse - and this was refreshing. But there were many fun adventures and family outings to read about.
Will fill in the missing volumes of this series and read when I More...
None of the children got up to anything terribly bad - the worst thing was sneaking out of a bedroom window to sit in a treehouse - and this was refreshing. But there were many fun adventures and family outings to read about.
Will fill in the missing volumes of this series and read when I More...
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Mar 15, 2010
Elizabeth
rated it:
This was one of my favorite books when I was little, and I reread it while I was home sick.
It's an adorable tale about 4 children who have to change a little when they are moved to a new town, and who then decide to earn what money they can to help support WWII by buying war bonds. So they put on a show and some of them get jobs. It is so unbelievably sweet that at times it may make your teeth hurt, but it is a very quiet and relaxing story.
I believe this is the book th More...
It's an adorable tale about 4 children who have to change a little when they are moved to a new town, and who then decide to earn what money they can to help support WWII by buying war bonds. So they put on a show and some of them get jobs. It is so unbelievably sweet that at times it may make your teeth hurt, but it is a very quiet and relaxing story.
I believe this is the book th More...
Sep 16, 2010
Maureen
rated it:
by Elizabeth Enright
Asking me to choose a favorite book from this series would be like asking me to choose a favorite Melendy: it could be done, but it would be painful, and I'd really rather not have to. But I have to admit that The Four-story Mistake is definitely high on the list. The Saturdays is a wonderful introduction to the Melendys and Cuffy and Willy Sloper, but with the Melendys move from New York City to the country we begin the real business of the series. (Don't ask More...
Asking me to choose a favorite book from this series would be like asking me to choose a favorite Melendy: it could be done, but it would be painful, and I'd really rather not have to. But I have to admit that The Four-story Mistake is definitely high on the list. The Saturdays is a wonderful introduction to the Melendys and Cuffy and Willy Sloper, but with the Melendys move from New York City to the country we begin the real business of the series. (Don't ask More...
Aug 31, 2009
Mary
rated it:
The Four-Story Mistake, by Elizabeth Enright. This is another children’s book, one that was originally published in 1942. It’s a delightful story about the Melendy children when they move to a new house called the Four-Story Mistake. It’s full of secrets and enchantments. There is sadness, too, but it’s engaging and sweet. I really enjoyed it and am going to pass it on to my granddaughter. And I am going to put the next two on my wish list and maybe buy them for myself some time soon.
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May 01, 2011
Jane
rated it:
I remember feeling, like Randy, that moving to the country was a horrible mistake, but like her, I fell in love with the Four-Storey Mistake very quickly. These children have adventures but never outside the scope of what could happen and the quiet love and happiness in the books is very appealing.
The descriptions of the surroundings are evocative and it's a wonderful addition to the series.
I wish our house had a cupola.
The descriptions of the surroundings are evocative and it's a wonderful addition to the series.
I wish our house had a cupola.
Jun 19, 2010
Kim
rated it:
I find that I just love the Melendys and wish I'd found these books as a child - I would have loved them. Although they were written in the early 1940's, they don't really seem dated at all. I loved the country house and adventures, but was so sorry to see them leave NYC. When I was a little girl, I dreamed of living at the Plaza, just like Eloise, so I wish they'd stayed at the city house and just gone to the country in the summer.
Mar 18, 2010
Shelley
rated it:
Hmm, slowly warming to the series. I keep picking up the next in the series, so I clearly haven't given up yet. LOL I like the bits about the war, seeing the home front without having to see someone go off to war. That's rare. Of all the characters, I wish we knew more about Father. I think I'd like him a lot. I picture him a bit as Christopher Plummer, from Sound of Music days. *g*
Jan 03, 2010
Betsy
rated it:
Okay, okay. I like the Melendys, and I liked this one even better than "The Saturdays." (And when I chose the last two from the inventory in the garage and began paging through "Spiderweb for Two" just to see how long it was, a five-dollar bill leaped out from between the pages, so clearly someone's trying to tell me something.)
Jun 11, 2011
Rahyab
rated it:
One of Chloe's favorites. Second in the quartet. Great story of four city kids who move to the country with their father to live in an eccentric house called "The Four Story Mistake." The four siblings are just so well done that this story is a joy. Chloe has read this so many times!
Feb 02, 2012
Christy
rated it:
Childhood favorite! Yes, I reread kids' books. Especially amazing ones like this. It's even better than I remember.
Join the Randy, Rush, Mona and Oliver for their first year living in the Four Story Mistake! Thunderstorms, plays, secret rooms, an alligator living in a bathtub populate these pages.
Elizabeth Enright is one of the best childrens' authors ever, in my opinion.
Join the Randy, Rush, Mona and Oliver for their first year living in the Four Story Mistake! Thunderstorms, plays, secret rooms, an alligator living in a bathtub populate these pages.
Elizabeth Enright is one of the best childrens' authors ever, in my opinion.
Jan 17, 2011
Kathy
rated it:
Loved it! I read this when I was about 12, almost as old as the oldest girl in the story. I've read it since and still love it. It's an old book but a good one. Great read for kids 8 - 10, both boys and girls.
Mar 05, 2011
Karen
rated it:
The Melendy family moves from their beloved home in the city to a house in the county. You explore the new home and all it's wonders with them, not to mention meet new people along the way.
May 23, 2011
Lorna
rated it:
A charming read that makes me want to be 10 again. A testament to a time when kids relied on their imaginations and sense of adventure. A read aloud for my six year-old.
Aug 23, 2009
Rebecca
rated it:
The Melendys move from New York to a new house out in the country in the early 1940s, and spend a wonderful year exploring all the wonders of their new home. This is an episodic family story, full of mild adventure of the kind that kids could get involved when the world was a safer place.
Mar 19, 2011
Linda
rated it:
I first read this books almost 50 years ago. It has always been one of my favorites. I just finished listening to the audio. It is still a great book!
Apr 13, 2009
Cecilia
rated it:
I learned that sometimes when you really don't want to move you like the next house better so basicly I learned don't judge something before you have seen it.
Mar 14, 2010
Qt
rated it:
Another absolutely charming and delightful Melendy book :-) I really love Elizabeth Enright's writing and how she makes everyday details so special.
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Oct 23, 2009
Kirin
rated it:
reliving my childhood...the first book I fell in love with! For young readers, dated but wonderfully timeless. I will have to finish the series!
Aug 13, 2009
Heidi
rated it:
We loved The Saturdays so much we listened to the second book about the Melendys on the return trip and loved it, too.
Dec 30, 2008
Becca
rated it:
I loved this books as a kid and it was fun to share it chapter by chapter with the children I babysit!
Nov 24, 2010
Jodi
rated it:
I read these books as a kid and somehow managed to remember enough about them to track them down. Aside from inflation & WWII, these books are so timeless and inspiring. Love!!
