An autobiographical easy chapter book details dePaola’s life in 1938 at age five when he and his family were preparing to move from an apartment building to a house that they were having built for them. Frequent black-and-white line drawings and short, episodic chapters will encourage newly independent readers, who are likely to enjoy this as a story, even if they aren’t familiar with dePaola himself. But for those familiar with his picture books, this will be a happy step up into the next level of books and reading. (Ages 7-9)

Tomie dePaola's stories from the momentous year his family built their new house at 26 Fairmount Avenue highlight his wit, sense of humor, and strong family bonds. The book earned raves from reviewers of all ages and a Newbery Honor award.