The Saturdays (novel) facts for kids
First edition dustjacket with Enright artwork
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| Author | Elizabeth Enright |
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| Illustrator | Enright |
| Country | United States |
| Series | Melendy family |
| Genre | Realistic children's fiction |
| Publisher | Farrar & Rinehart |
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Publication date
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1941 |
| Media type | Print (hardcover) |
| Pages | 175 pp. |
| OCLC | 172840 |
| LC Class | PZ7.E724 Sat |
| Followed by | The Four-Story Mistake |
The Saturdays is a children's novel written and illustrated by Elizabeth Enright, published by Farrar & Rinehart in 1941. It is the first of four books in the Melendy family series, introducing the four Melendy children who determine to stop wasting their Saturdays, pool their allowances, and take turns having adventures in pre-World War II New York City.
In 2012 The Saturdays was ranked number 75 among all-time best children's novels in a survey published by School Library Journal – the second of three books by Enright in the top 100.
Plot
The four Melendy children live with their father, a widowed professor of economics, and Cuffy, their beloved housekeeper, in a brownstone in New York City. There's thirteen-year-old Mona, who has her heart set on becoming an actress; twelve-year-old mischievous Rush, who plays the piano; ten-year-old Miranda "Randy" who loves to dance and paint; and thoughtful Oliver, who is six.
Tired of wasting Saturdays doing nothing but wishing for larger allowances, the four Melendys jump at Randy's idea to start the Independent Saturday Afternoon Adventure Club (I.S.A.A.C.). If they pool their resources and take turns spending the whole amount, they can each have at least one memorable Saturday afternoon of their own. Before long, I.S.A.A.C. is in operation and every Saturday is definitely one to remember. Each Melendy child is able to do exactly what he or she pleases, discovering new ideas along the way. Randy becomes friends with an old lady who was once kidnapped by gypsies, Rush brings home a stray dog, and Mona shocks her family by taking her first step toward adulthood. But when Oliver wants to be out on his own, too, the rest of the family has second thoughts.
