[Meet the Austins is one of the first family-centered books] since Little Women to handle the death of a loved one so well (p. 462)

The children's ups and downs, a serious brother-sister conflict, some funny and some grave situations—all develop against a background of family love. This is a fine family story, as unusual and provocative throughout the whole book as is its first chapter. (p. 463)

May Hill Arbuthnot and Zena Sutherland, in their Children and Books (copyright © 1947, 1957, 1964, 1972, by Scott, Foresman and Company, reprinted by permission), fourth edition, Scott Foresman, 1972.