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Dec 08, 2018sandraperkins rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I am an adult, and I love the Vanderbeekers! In this second book, the family’s beloved neighbors, Miss Josie and Mr. Jeet, are suffering when Mr. Jeet has a stroke and is hospitalized for an extended period. The Vanderbeeker children want to do something special to make their dear friends feel better. They decide (in secret) to clean up a walled off overgrown jungle next to the local church to create a community garden, where Miss Josie and Mr. Jeet can go to enjoy nature after Mr. Jeet comes home from the hospital. If you love gardening, there is a lot to love in this book! All sorts of adventures ensue, including a battle with a real estate developer. Historic preservation plays a major role in this book. And the story of the Vanderbeeker children visiting Mr. Jeet in the hospital with their bunny taken along (hidden in a picnic basket) is priceless! The children are quirky and fun, and the stories illustrate important principles of urban planning. I look forward to more sequels!