Product Description

Andy is so used to his family's small, run-down apartment that he has never imagined living anywhere else--especially not in a new house with a garden and a porch. Such houses seem like castles to him.

But when he hears about an organization that turns abandoned houses into homes, he discovers that his castle isn't in the clouds--it's on Viola Street. And with some hard work and community caring, it could be his very own.

DyAnne DiSalvo combines new faces with familiar ones from earlier stories in this warm, vibrant tale about the good things that come when a whole family pitches in to make a better life for themselves.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3093002 in Books
• Published on: 2001-08-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Library Binding
• 32 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Likable young Andy narrates DiSalvo's (Uncle Willie and the Soup Kitchen) latest tale celebrating the importance of community and home life. He lives with his parents and two younger sisters in a cramped apartment that lacks sufficient heat in winter. His father, who each morning rises before dawn to go to work, says, "Someday things will change around here." Yet the family keeps an upbeat attitude: the narrator notes that "There always seemed to be enough to go around, even with five people at our table," while his mother comments that "Our family is rich in more ways than we can count." One day Andy learns of a meeting organized by a Habitat for Humanity-like organization, and his family joins the effort to refurbish a nearby abandoned home. As Andy's father succinctly explains, "If you're interested in helping to fix up a house for other people... then one day other people will help fix up a house for you." DiSalvo's conversational text tells how the family pitches in, and readers will applaud the news that Andy's family will move into the next house the group tackles. The loosely rendered artwork effectively captures the characters' energy and spirit of cooperation. This affecting tale will be an eye-opener for youngsters who take their warm home for granted and will send a missive of hope to those who long for the same. Ages 5-8.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
reS-Gr 3-Readers who are familiar with Habitat for Humanity and similar programs in theory can now see it in practice from a child's perspective. After Andy and his parents work as volunteers for an organization that buys deserted buildings and fixes them up, they finally get word that they will soon be working on a house that will become their own. The first-person narrative, while not consistently childlike in voice, does include plenty of details that gives a feel for the family's modest goals. More about their circumstances, such as Andy's lack of a bedroom before the move, is revealed only through the large, upbeat, colored-pencil and gouache illustrations. They also show that the family is warm and loving, living in a diverse neighborhood. Text is well placed, primarily on double-page spreads. The intent of the book is made clear by the foreword by Habitat for Humanity founder Millard Fuller. Although unmistakably a book with a purpose, it succeeds in introducing children to an important movement, with the art and design allowing them to see a story along with the message.

Faith Brautigam, Gail Borden Public Library, Elgin, IL

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Ages 5-8. For Andy's family, owning a home seems just a dream--until Andy learns of a project where volunteers rehabilitate old houses for others, who eventually do the same for them. The whole family pitches in, a challenging but rewarding experience, and joyfully learn that they, too, are slated for a new home. DiSalvo-Ryan shares an uplifting story of the importance and impact of community pride and support, effectively illustrating the meaning of "sweat equity." Andy's conversational narrative conveys the hopes of his family and others and describes rehabbing endeavors, how residents diversely react to changing neighborhoods, and how such change gradually comes about. The colorful gouache, pen, and pencil pictures are folksy and warm, expressively portraying the multicultural neighborhood's lively residents and the structures "before and after." An introduction by Habitat for Humanity's founder-president describes Habitat's program and others like it, which will further raise awareness of how volunteering and home ownership can make a difference, for communities and individuals. Shelle Rosenfeld
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Customer Reviews

Community Caring
What a wonderful story about building a caring community! Andy and his family are able to find a house for their home when the volunteers start fixing up number 146 Viola Street. His dreams become a reality, bit by bit, thanks to a collective effort by this those who volunteer for this organization which "buys empty houses and fixes them up like new" and his family. Use this book to teach your children about the benefits of being a good citizen and seizing the myriad of volunteering opportunities out there! This is a book you won't want to miss.

Wonderful book about how a family gets a home of their own
I am working on a unit study about the ways that governments, organizations, and individuals help meet people's needs or solve various problems. One of the organizations we will study is Habitat for Humanity, so I was delighted to find this book about how Habitat for Humanity (or a similar group) might work in a neighborhood, and the impact it might have on the families that it helps.

The plot is quite straightforward - a child, Andy, lives in a small rented apartment but dreams of owning a home with a garden and a porch. His family learns about an organization that is going to fix up some boarded buildings in the neighborhood, and they volunteer to help. After working on several homes for others, they receive the news that next spring they'll be working on their OWN home.

I do wish this book had included a page or two about ways that young people can help Habitat for Humanity. For example, I belong to a homeschool group that is planning to bring lunch to Habitat for Humanity workers in two weeks. And last spring our family volunteered in a community-wide fundraiser for Habitat as well.

In "Above All Be Kind" by Zoe Weil, Weil makes a very compelling point that "Without action, compassion can lead to despair and deep sorrow, but when we do act upon our empathy, not only do we and our children feel empowered and positive about ourselves, our collective acts become an extraordinary force for good." Intuitively this makes so much sense to me, and hopefully future editions of "A Castle on Viola Street" will include some service ideas.

Woulda Shoulda Coulda
There's no question about it. This book is yet another example of Diane Disalvo Ryan's great writing and wonderful illustrations, but there's a spirit missing. Sadly, that special something that inspired her to write books like Uncle Willie and the Soup Kitchen and City Green is gone. It is evident to this writer that her heart and soul just isn't in it anymore.

I used to be a fan of this writer/illustrator but, I feel let down and very disappointed by her recent offerings. I won't be reading anymore of Mrs. Ryan's books. The thrill is gone.