Its summer on 141st Street, and the Vanderbeekers are looking forward to Papas surprise fortieth birthday party. But when Papa must leave town suddenly to help his best friend, trouble in the form of their distant grandparents shows up on their doorstep.Not only must the Vanderbeekers face the disappointment of ruined plans, but they have more than one family secret to solve if they are going to give Papa the special birthday he deserves.The New York Times bestselling Vanderbeekers series is perfect for fans of the Penderwicks. As Booklist commented in a starred review: Few families in childrens literature are as engaging or amusing as the Vanderbeekers, even in times of turmoil.