"Sometimes, the best stories aren’t the made-up ones."

"Nothing Else But Miracles" captures everything I love about historical fiction, and reading it truly was a miracle.

The book centers around 12-year old Dory whose father has gone off to fight in World War II, leaving her and her two brothers to fend for themselves. The three siblings face financial challenges, eviction and the constant worry about when their father would return.

Ugh I loved these characters and I loved the setting and I loved everything about this book... But my favorite part, by far, was reading the Author's Note. Hear me out.

Historical fiction is amazing because it can take real people, events and places, and craft a story around them. I love it when a book has been well-researched, and this one was.

Like, the restaurant that Dory frequents with her siblings actually existed in the 1940s, albeit under a different name, and it really had a secret. It felt like a treasure hunt, discovering the little elements of reality the author weaved into the story.

All in all, this book was a sweet book about family and adventure. I want to thank the author, publisher and Netgalley for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Final raring: 4.5/5

Kate Albus writes characters that pull readers right along for the ride with them. It's easy for the reader to get invested in both the main characters and the supporting characters. In fact, I'd love to spend a little more time with them. In my opinion, these characters have the staying power of TV Show characters. I could definitely stay tuned for each episode. The book certainly kept me turning the pages.

Nothing Else But Miracles speaks to the beauty of its locale, the hardships of war times, and the power of family and neighbors. This would make a good read aloud or book club title as it is ripe with rich discussion points. It is a must-buy for classroom libraries and school libraries.

What a charming, gentle, hug of a read. Dory is a delightful character, with the spunk and spark of WWII-era Ramona. In her Lower East Side home, the stakes for her adventures could not be more dire. As Dory and her brothers, Fish and Pike, remind themselves, Pop said when he left for war that they could count on their neighborhood to take care of them. And their neighbors do, though when a new landlord replaces the kind man who was part of their neighborhood family, the three children determine they must fend for themselves: If their new landlord discovers that they're living without Pop, they'll lose their home—and possibly each other.

This is a tense moment, but not too tense for the gentle reader. This warm story finds a solution quickly (readers will find it first; always a delight). And they'll enjoy the episodes of 1940s New York life that Dory shows them: from memories of a flea circus to Coney Island to the vibe at an Italian restaurant with bombastic owner who gives the children a free meal every Thursday. It's a tale of home, of family and a neighborhood family, and of first loves too.

A sweet, charming book for readers who thrive on warmth. Ideal for people who loved the Penderwicks and, of course, Albus's first book, A Place to Hang the Moon.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy in return for an honest review.

Kate Albus does it again! This book was absolutely delightful and I can't wait to share it with readers and add it to my classroom library! The characters were well written, the setting was vivid, and it brought back many wonderful memories of reading the Boxcar Children as a child. This is one I will definitely read again!

Another successful book by Albus. I can’t wait to buy the book and share it with my students who enjoyed A place to hang the moon. Once again the author made history come alive! I read the book in one sitting.

I enjoyed this book and think young readers would appreciate it too. The characters are relatable and you really root for the children. I do think that the age of the youngest brother Pike doesn't quite fit, it would be more realistic to the time period for him to have been 6 instead of 8 in regards to how he is characterized, for example not being able to walk a couple blocks home from school alone.

I do appreciate how resourceful the children are, and how it is obvious the neighbourhood cares for them, which is very realistic for the time period.

Overall this book was a good read, and a different take on world war 2, which is usually told from the European perspective, so it was interesting to read about the people on this side of the Atlantic and how the families of soldiers were affected.

I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley, all opinions are honest and my own.

I'm so glad to have received this ARC from Net Galley for an honest review.

📕Kate Albus has won my heart again through this WWII historical fiction story. The humor, the tears, the straight up cheering for the siblings, (and sometimes wanting to scold them) is just what I hoped for and expected from her.

📒Three siblings in NY are trying to survive on their own while their dad is serving in the war. They have different ideas, personalities, and strengths- and have to overcome obstacles to stay positive while waiting and hoping for their dad's return.

📗They learn that treasures are not always the things you can buy, and that miracles come in many forms. The neighborhood and the good people who live there are true treasures, and working together will bring a lot more happiness than any thing you can buy at the deli.

📘I love the details at the end that describe the factual historical places and events. I need a trip to NY now to check them out, even though I felt like was there while reading.

📙Favorite quotes:

🩵"She wasn't about to admit it, but Dory had started thinking maybe Pike was onto something, the way he went in for libraries. She'd spent more time in the library in the last month than she had in the whole rest of her life, and it turned out there was some good information to be found there."

💜"Next came a man with a bandage around his head, gripping the rail tight as he made his way down the ramp.
His gait had no bounce to it the way Pop's did.
War tends to do that to people--it takes away their bounce."

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical fiction. It may be written for middle grade readers, but will be enjoyed by all ages.

❓What was the last historical fiction book that you read?

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This wartime story is full of heart- and grit, innovation, family, neighborhood, kindness, worry- but mostly heart. Kate Albus does it again- delivers an incredible story that will stay with you for a long, long time.

Nothing Else But Miracles takes place in NY’s Lower East Side during WWII. It’s about the Bryne family-17 yr. old Fish, 11 yr. old Dory & 6 yr. old Pike. The mother passed away from TB and their father was drafted. The story is about how all the children survive on their own, with the help of their neighborhood.

A great historical fiction that was loosely based on some actual places. I really enjoyed this one and I can’t wait to share with others!!

The Bryne children–seventeen-year-old Fish, eleven-year-old Dory, and six-year-old Pike–are on their own in the middle of World War II after their dad enlists. Their mother died a few years prior, but Pop is sure the tight knit Lower East Side neighborhood will take care of his children while he’s away. And they do. The ethnically diverse neighbors lavish food and care on the small family. No one anticipates, though, the entrance of a mean-spirited landlord after the sudden death of the kindly one. Dory, the protagonist, is a magnet for trouble, and does little to avoid getting in scrapes. When the new landlord presses to see their elusive father and threatens foster care, Dory takes it upon herself to find a solution. Caputo’s, their friend’s Italian restaurant, houses an ancient dumb waiter that acts like an elevator. Dory sneaks in and risks all to try out the unused equipment only to find that the ascending floors reveal an abandoned hotel. Once school is out for the summer, the family takes up residence there, avoiding detection from both social services and the restaurant staff. Until D-Day. Pop’s letters–and the rent checks–stop coming. Fish takes a job to help the money situation, but as more of the neighborhood’s fathers’ and sons’ blue service stars get replaced by gold, the children’s fear that Pop may not be coming back grows more real. This historical fiction book gives a vivid picture of a working class New York City neighborhood in the 40’s. Most characters present as white.

4.5 stars
This book was such a wonderful read! I’ve had a “crush” on the Lower East Side of Manhattan since the first grade, when my teacher read “All of a Kind Family” to my class. I’ve had the opportunity to visit that great city many times as an adult, touring Ellis Island, climbing inside the Statue of Liberty, visiting the Tenement Museum, walking on Rivington Street (Sydney Taylor connection!), and so many other adventures. I’ve never had the chance to go to Coney Island, but many books that I’ve read detailing it, including this one, make me determined to see it someday!
Thank you, Kate Albus, for painting such a vivid picture of New York City life during WW2. The characters of Dory, Fish, and Pike, and their determination to stick together no matter what, will stay with me long after I’ve finished this story. And I’m really hoping for a sequel!
One more shout-out, this time for the very detailed author’s notes at the end! On my next trip to NYC, I’m looking for that motel!

While at times I found Dory’s character endearing and humorous, the entire plot of this story is built upon her lies, a premise I have a hard time getting behind for young readers.

NOTHING ELSE BUT MIRACLES by Kate Albus is a beautifully crafted historical fiction middle grade novel featuring the irrepressible Byrnes siblings: Pike, Fish, and Dory. Set on the Lower East Side of NYC during WWII there is cast of other colorful characters, including the owner of an Italian restaurant, a lonely recluse, a smitten classmate, and even Lady Liberty herself. At the center of the narrative is Dory, the spunky middle child, who prefers pants to skirts, and whose penchant for rule breaking is only surpassed by her fierce loyalty to her family. Dory's father has been called up to the navy, leaving her teenage brother Fish in care of her and her younger brother. Her father assures them that the neighborhood will help take care of them. However a mean new landlord threatens the family's security. Dory hatches a crazy plan involving a local restaurant, an old dumb waiter, and an abandoned hotel in order to keep the Byrnes together. Albus' ability to recreate the lower east side of the 1940s, complete with Coney Island, through her writing speaks of skilled research, particularly when it comes to the lingo of kids growing up in the mid 20th century. I expect NOTHING ELSE BUT MIRACLES will find its way into many classrooms and just as many hearts.

“Nothing Else But Miracles” is a middle grade historical fiction book written by Kate Albus.

I am honored to have received an eARC from Net Galley, Margaret Ferguson Books, and Holiday House Books.

“Nothing Else But Miracles” will be released on September 5, 2023.

I loved this book. Set in NYC during World War II, Dory and her brothers have to fend for themselves after their father is sent to fight with the Navy. The neighborhood helps to take care of the children. And the discovery of a long abandoned hotel provides a safe refuge from a new apartment landlord who doesn’t take too kindly to the children not having adult supervision.

I absolutely adore Kate Albus‘s first book A PLACE TO HANG THE MOON, and her sophomore novel is just as wonderful!
Thanks to @netgalley for the eARC, which releases from @margaretfergusonbooks 9/5/23
Dory, the protagonist, is the middle sibling, between responsible Fish and bookish Pike. Full of spunk and practicality, she prefers trousers to dresses, and looks to the Statue of Liberty for inspiration and guidance. With their mother dead and their father sent off to the war, the siblings must learn how to work together in order to stay together. Set in 1945, in the Lower East side of NYC, this family discovers just how much their neighborhood has to offer them in this charming, heartfelt story. I laughed and I cried, and read the whole book in one sitting! I can’t wait to share it with readers in the fall!