The Vanderbeekers Ever After
#7 of 7 in The Vanderbeekers Series
on Goodreads (2,136)
What’s inside...
The bestselling Vanderbeeker family finds love and hope in hard times as they face the challenge of a serious illness with the support of their Harlem community. The Vanderbeekers are looking forward to the wedding of two of their favorite people! But when one of the siblings receives a dire diagnosis, instead of preparing for a celebration, the family is suddenly spending their time at the hospital. And soon they are helping a newly-made and critically ill friend, even as they struggle with how their own lives have turned upside down. In the poignant conclusion to the bestselling Vanderbeekers series, the beloved family faces their biggest challenge yet, rising to meet it with the characteristic love, warmth, and hope that has won them a lasting home in the hearts of readers everywhere.
Character compass
Jessie Vanderbeeker
Oliver Vanderbeeker
Laney Vanderbeeker
Hyacinth Vanderbeeker
Isa Vanderbeeker
Papa (Mr. Vanderbeeker)
Mama Vanderbeeker
Discussion points
How do the Vanderbeeker children show resilience and teamwork throughout the story?
What are some ways that the family supports their community and why do you think this is important?
Can you think of a time when you helped a friend or family member like the Vanderbeekers do? What happened?
How do each of the Vanderbeeker children’s unique talents contribute to their family and community?
What lessons did you learn about family and friendship from this book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use specific examples from the book to discuss the importance of community and teamwork, relating them to real-life scenarios your child might face.
Encourage your child to talk about their own experiences and feelings by drawing parallels with situations faced by the Vanderbeekers.
Discuss the notion of resilience by asking about times when your child had to overcome challenges and how they managed.
Highlight the diverse characteristics of each Vanderbeeker child, prompting your child to think about their own unique traits and how they can use them positively.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of teamwork
Explanation: In 'The Vanderbeekers Ever After', the Vanderbeeker siblings must work together to solve problems and help their community, demonstrating the power of collaboration.
Real-World Application: Children learn to value working with others to achieve common goals, which is crucial in school projects and family responsibilities.
Example Lesson: Resilience in face of challenges
Explanation: Throughout the book, the Vanderbeekers encounter various obstacles but they continually find ways to overcome them, showing persistence and resilience.
Real-World Application: This teaches children that perseverance is key to overcoming difficulties they face in their own lives, encouraging them not to give up easily.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: The Vanderbeeker children learn to understand and empathize with the diverse people in their Harlem neighborhood, showing how empathy leads to stronger community bonds.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to understand different perspectives and show compassion in their interactions, promoting harmony in diverse settings.
Example Lesson: Creativity in problem-solving
Explanation: The siblings often use creative solutions to tackle their problems, emphasizing the importance of thinking outside the box.
Real-World Application: This underlines the benefit of creative thinking in real-world situations, urging children to apply creativity in solving daily challenges.
Example Lesson: Importance of family and community
Explanation: The strong bonds between the Vanderbeekers and their neighbors highlight the support systems provided by family and community.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children to appreciate and contribute to their home and community environments, fostering a sense of belonging and responsibility.