The Umbrella House

by Colleen Nelson

Overview

In this intimate and inspiring novel about the power of art and the value of community, award-winning author and former New Yorker Colleen Nelson brings life and liveliness to an eccentric cast of New York City neighbors.

Middle-schooler and Manhattanite Roxy Markowski wants to tell the truth fearlessly and powerfully, just like her idols at Veracity News. She and her best friend Scout already make YouTube videos together about East Village life, so when Veracity News announces a Young Voices video competition, Roxy knows it’s the perfect opportunity to make a name for herself, if only she can find a story worth telling. When a real-estate mogul threatens to buy her historic East Village apartment building, Umbrella House, Roxy sets out to create a video about the people who live in her building, depicting their love for art, community, and family. 

With time—and her options for saving Umbrella House—running out, Roxy finds herself caught up in the mystery of the Midnight Muralist, a famous East Village artist whose murals once made buildings famous and valuable. Could finding this enigmatic artist be the key to saving her historic East Village apartment building? 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781772782790
Publisher:	Pajama Press Inc.
Publication date:	06/06/2023
Pages:	224
Sales rank:	475,779
Product dimensions:	5.43(w) x 8.11(h) x 0.79(d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

An author and middle-school teacher, Colleen Nelson earned her Bachelor of Education from the University of Manitoba in her hometown of Winnipeg. Her previous works include the critically acclaimed middle-grade novels Harvey Comes Home, Harvey Holds His Own (a finalist for the Governor General’s Literary Award), Harvey Takes the Lead, and The Undercover Book List. The titular building from Colleen's 2023 novel The Umbrella House is a real place, which inspired Colleen during her years in New York City

Editorial Reviews

05/15/2023

Twelve-year-old best friends Ruby Markowski and Scout Chang-Poulin host a YouTube channel called EaVill Kids, where they share stories about goings-on around the East Village. Seeking a local-interest story that will get them noticed by Veracity News, a website running a young voices journalism contest, they start reporting on neighborhood gentrification, namely the shuttering of small businesses. When a development company curries favor with city councilmembers to exploit a legal loophole, Umbrella House—the tweens’ co-op building—becomes vulnerable to purchase. Ruby and Scout soon join forces with other Umbrella House residents and East Village locals to save their home. Taking inspiration from the real-life Umbrella House in Manhattan, which was claimed by unhoused individuals in 1988 and designated as a co-op in 2010, this story blends present-day drama and nostalgia for grittier times. Nelson (The Undercover Book List), who, according to an end note, lived in the venerable building in the early 2000s, sketches the events in approachable, page-turning prose. With its gumshoe kids and a grassroots heart reminiscent of Seedfolks, Nelson’s novel both commends activists’ can-do spirit and emphasizes the heights to which one can go when backed by unwavering communal support. Ages 8–12. (June)

Publishers Weekly

Praise for The Umbrella House

2023 Junior Library Guild Selection

2024 Forest of Reading - Silver Birch Nominee

2023 Indigo Top 50 Best Kids’ Books of the Year Selection

2023 School Library Journal “These Protagonists Take Action | Read Woke” Feature

49th Shelf “Most Anticipated: Our Spring 2023 Books for Young Readers Preview” Feature

The Children’s Book Council “Hot Off the Press: June 2023” Feature

“Blending fact, fiction, social issues, and friendship, this novel ably highlights young people’s strengths….An uplifting account of creative kids working to preserve a city landmark.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Nelson, who has lived in New York, creates a cast of interesting characters with Umbrella House (a real place with a colorful history) and its neighborhood as the setting. A well-paced story with a satisfying conclusion.”—Booklist

“Nelson’s novel both commends activists’ can-do spirit and emphasizes the heights to which one can go when backed by unwavering communal support.”—Publishers Weekly

“A contemporary story based on the real-life Umbrella House in New York City, Nelson offers readers a strongly written and beautifully heartening novel, rich with a wide cast of appealing characters.”—Quill & Quire

“[A] dynamic story of tenacity–a fight for justice and compassion around housing and the politics of who deserves to be housed. Colleen manages to create some mystery and angst, which all contribute to the fast-paced, plot-driven narrative….This book should not be missed.”—Youth Services Book Review

“[A] fast paced read that is both enjoyable and encouraging. With a little mystery, a lot of love, some endearing characters, a portrait of a traditional part of New York and a triumph of community over greed The Umbrella House will appeal to children aged 8-12. Highly Recommended”—Canadian Materials

“The Umbrella House will be a good choice for readers who enjoyed Dilloway's Five Things About Ava Andrews, Giles' Take Back the Block, Watson's This Side of Home, or Broaddus' Unfadeable.”—YA Books Central

“[A] wonderful new novel for middle graders to sink their teeth into. I really enjoyed reading this engaging story….An enjoyable read that is well written.”—The International Educator

“I loved the sounds of East Village: it seemed like a real neighbourhood where people look out for each and where shop local is a real thing. The characters were electric, their stories unique and there were lots of things going on.”—Book Time

“An ode to community activism and the East Village in New York City…It is a beautiful story that will engage readers and leave them yearning for a trip to NYC to see the Umbrella House for themselves. Also, a huge shout out to the incredible Peggy Collins for her BEAUTIFUL cover illustrations. The book simply pops.”—Storytime With Stephanie

“The Umbrella House is a fun and empowering story!”—Jill's Book Blog

From the Publisher

2023-04-12
Seventh graders Roxy Markowski and Scout Chang-Poulin are longtime best friends.

They live in Umbrella House, a real co-op in New York City’s East Village. In 1988, the then-abandoned building was occupied by squatters who restored it, after which the city government legalized the situation. Several decades later, this realistic, contemporary novel, narrated by Roxy, tells another story. A developer is buying up properties and needs the city council’s permission to acquire the building. Long-term inhabitants of the East Village, which is known for its artists, musicians, and activists, see this as unwanted gentrification. Roxy lives with her paternal grandmother, a flea market dealer. Scout has two moms, a lawyer and an art gallery owner. The kids join with neighbors to save their building: bookstore owner Miguel, artist Ortiz, and musician Lenny. Roxy, with her research, writing, and acting skills, and Scout, with his photography, video, and editing abilities, have their own YouTube channel where they share stories about the East Village. Now they enter a contest—the prize is working with a professional reporter to produce a documentary—and their video entry focuses on the fight for their building. Blending fact, fiction, social issues, and friendship, this novel ably highlights young people’s strengths. Names are the only clues to ethnic diversity.

Art versus mammon: An uplifting account of creative kids working to preserve a city landmark. (map, photo, author’s note, sources) (Fiction. 9-13)

Kirkus Reviews