The Penderwicks: Summary and book reviews of The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall, plus links to an excerpt from The Penderwicks and a biography of Jeanne Birdsall.
The Penderwicks A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy
by Jeanne Birdsall
Hardcover: Jun 2005,
272 pages.
Paperback: Mar 2007,
272 pages.
This summer the Penderwick sisters have a wonderful surprise: a holiday on the grounds of a beautiful estate called Arundel. Soon they are busy discovering the summertime magic of
Arundel's sprawling gardens, treasure-filled attic, tame rabbits, and the cook who makes the best gingerbread in Massachusetts. But the best discovery of all is Jeffrey Tifton, son of
Arundel's owner, who quickly proves to be the perfect companion for their adventures.
The icy-hearted Mrs. Tifton is not as pleased with the Penderwicks as Jeffrey is, though, and warns the new friends to stay out of trouble. Which, of course, they
will—won't they? One thing's for sure: it will be a summer the Penderwicks will never forget.
Deliciously nostalgic and quaintly witty, this is a story as breezy and carefree as a summer day.
Winner 2005 - National Book Award.
Winner 2005 - Child Magazine's Best Books of the Year.
First time author Jeanne Birdsall has given us a family that is idiosyncratic without being ridiculously eccentric, and a charming set of children who are opinionated but not obnoxious. Little Batty, in particular, is a winner. I look forward to seeing if Birdsall can continue to work the same magic in the follow up due to be published in 2008, which will feature the four Penderwick children and a boy called Tommy Geiger who lives across the street and loves football above all. (Reviewed by BookBrowse Review Team).
Zoe Baxter Buchanan - Adult & YA Librarian, Naperville Public Library, IL.
This summer I was looking for a book I could read aloud to four children: my son (age 12 - into fantasy and adventure), my daughter (age 9 - a voracious reader), and my two nieces (ages 10 - a good reader and 8- a reluctant reader and listener). I thought I would try this book because the mix of characters closely matched my group and they were on vacation in the story just like us. The book worked at all levels! They named themselves after the different characters and were begging for storytime each night. It was a great choice.
Publishers Weekly
Certain to be as sorry as the sisters are when it's time to leave Arundel, readers will hope for a return visit from this memorable cast. Ages 8-12.
Children's Literature - Kathleen Karr
It is definitely a throwback to the 1950s era of summers actually puttered away out of doors or with books. TV? Video games? Forget it. If it were not for a passing mention of a computer, the illusion would be complete.... should delight younger readers while reintroducing them to a gentler genre gone but not forgotten. Ages 8-12.
School Library Journal - Allison Gray
This enjoyable tale of four sisters, a new friend, and his snooty mother is rollicking fun.....Problems are solved and lessons learned in this wonderful, humorous book that features characters whom readers will immediately love, as well as a superb writing style. Bring on more of the Penderwicks! Grades 4-6.
Kirkus Reviews
Echoes of Alcott contribute to the intimate charm of this story of "summer and magic and adventure." ...... Their adventures and near-disasters, innocent crushes, escaped animals, owning-up and growing up (and yes, changes of heart) are satisfying and not-too-sweet. Fiction 8-12.
Booklist - Ilene Cooper
Adults who have been longing to find books for children that remind them of their own childhood favorites need look no further..... So satisfying, the story begs for a sequel: it would be nice to see more of the Penderwicks.
Recent Reader Reviews
Rated of 5
by Amanda Martin The Penderwicks The Penderwicks is my favorite book of all time. And thats all I am going to say. If you want to hear more, the only advice I can give you is, READ IT.
Rated of 5
by Hannah Battle The Penderwicks Really I think saying " Murder" is like kids and should be used in all her books. Please Jeanne don't stop that! Your books are my favorite (and I've read lots of books!) Thank you so much for The Penderwicks!
And I like all the... Read More
Rated of 5
by Hannazo Penderwicks reveiw This book is awesome. My friend gave it to me for my birthday in like... 3rd grade!! I remember thinking it was the lamest present until I actually read it! My Dad helped me read it. I don't remember too much about it, but I remember it was... Read More
Rated of 5
by Jazz BEST BOOK EVER I love this book, it is probably the best book i have ever read. It is so touching and sometimes I wish my sisters where like that. My favorite characters are either Jane or Batty. If you haven't read this book you´re really missing out. I read it... Read More
Rated of 5
by hi favorite This is my favorite book. If you liked it, read The Penderwicks on Gardam Street!
Jeanne Birdsall grew up
in the suburbs
west of
Philadelphia.
She says she
first decided to
become a writer
when she was ten
years old, but
it took her
until she was
forty-one to get
started. In the
years in
between she
held many
'strange jobs'
and also worked
as a
photographer,
with some of her
photos in the
permanent
collections of
museums,
including the
Smithsonian and
the Philadelphia
Art Museum. She
now lives in
western
Massachusetts
with her
husband, in an
old and...
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