The Melendy Quartet Series

by Elizabeth Enright

A warm mid-century series following the four Melendy siblings—Mona, Rush, Randy, and Oliver—through their adventures in New York City and later in the countryside. The books celebrate the creativity, independence, and close bonds of the siblings as they pool allowances for individual Saturday adventures, move to a quirky country house, and navigate wartime rationing with charm and resourcefulness.

Books in The The Melendy Quartet series in order:

Book cover
#
1
The Saturdays
Recommended For Ages
8
+

The four Melendy siblings—Mona, Rush, Randy, and Oliver—pool their allowances so each can have a Saturday adventure alone in New York City, leading to a series of mishaps and discoveries. The first in the beloved Melendy Quartet, full of wit, warmth, and the texture of 1940s family life.

Book cover
#
2
The Four-Story Mistake
Recommended For Ages
8
+

The Melendy family moves from New York City to a quirky old house in the countryside called the Four-Story Mistake, where the children explore their new surroundings, make friends, and continue their adventures. A warm continuation full of charm and humor.

Book cover
#
3
Then There Were Five
Recommended For Ages
9
+

The Melendy children befriend an orphaned boy named Mark and work to convince their father to adopt him, while also navigating summer adventures and the challenges of World War II rationing. A heartfelt continuation that introduces themes of found family.

Book cover
#
4
Spiderweb for Two: A Melendy Maze
Recommended For Ages
8
+

The older Melendy siblings are away at school, leaving youngest siblings Randy and Oliver to navigate a winter alone together while solving a mysterious series of clues left for them. The final book in the quartet, quieter but full of the series' signature warmth and ingenuity.