The Saturdays

"Enright has a quick eye for the unexpected, the amusing and the beautiful in what might be just ordinary experiences. . . . [A] highly diverting tale." —The New York Times

Meet the Melendys! The four Melendy children live with their father and Cuffy, their beloved housekeeper, in a worn but comfortable brownstone in New York City. There's thirteen-year-old Mona, who has decided to become an actress; twelve-year-old mischievous Rush; ten-and-a-half-year-old Randy, who loves to dance and paint; and thoughtful Oliver, who is just 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.


First published in 1941, The Saturdays unfolds with all the ripe details of a specific place and period but remains, just the same, a winning, timeless tale. The Saturdays is the first installment of Newbery Award–winning author Elizabeth Enright's Melendy Quartet, an engaging and warm series about the close-knit Melendy family and their surprising adventures.


"The Melendys are the quintessential storybook family . . . [their] ardent approach to living is eternally relevant." —Publishers Weekly

"A delightful family story . . . entertaining for any age." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review