The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy
by Jeanne Birdsall
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Book Summary Information
Author: Jeanne BirdsallBrand: Aladdin
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2007-03-13
ISBN: 0440420474
Number of pages: 272
Publisher: Yearling
Book Reviews of The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy
Book Review: Well-Written, Character-Driven Novel That's Fun!
Summary: 5 Stars
Don't judge a book by its cover, or its title. The subtitle--"A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy"--may be accurate (though the boy isn't all THAT interesting!) but...dullsville. The cover has a sweet, old-timey feel to it that's appropriate to the book but aimed more for a grown-up like me than for today's kids, who tend to want tons of action and humour just as they want flashy covers. However, it's a wonderful book, and I hope that children will ignore both cover and title and discover it on their own, in case they don't have a librarian like me who will book-talk it and sing its praises.
"The Penderwicks" breaks a few basic children's book dictums. There's no single protagonist, no one eye (or "I") through which we view the world. Doesn't matter. The book works. And it's been a long time since we've enjoyed a story with siblings who, no matter what their differences and occasional tiffs, truly enjoy each other. There's also no one single, overarching conflict, although there are any number of small conflicts, and one major problem for the "interesting boy" whom the Penderwick girls meet and spend time with over the course of this summer. That doesn't matter either. Can a book be episodic? Certainly. Think "Pickwick Papers" (is the similarity in names a coincidence, I wonder?). Think "Tom Jones." For an episodic book to work, you need strong characters, which this book has, and strong writing, which it also has.
What I also delight in is that the book has a timeless feel to it. When I read on the back flap that the author wanted to create a book like the ones she devoured as a child, I thought, Yes, this is just that kind of book. However, today's children readers won't have to be immersed in Edward Eager or Betsy Byars to relate to these characters. These are everyday kids living in the 21st century, complete with computers and backpacks. They also have ambitions (hoorah for Jane, doggedly penning her own series of adventure books), pets (hoorah for Batty and Hound, neither of whom is completely well-behaved but both of whom are lovable), bad tempers (hoorah for Skye, who often puts her foot in her mouth, but also has the grace to apologize when she does--at least sometimes), and crushes (hoorah for Rosalind, who falls in love for the first time, experiences a serious humiliation, and has the wisdom to understand she'll live to get over it). These are strong female characters, and if Dad is a bit of a scatter-brain, he's also both loving and a man of strong values (if he were constantly supervising the girls, there'd be no plot!).
Oh, and did I mention that there's plenty of good humour? It's a fun read, and I look forward to the future adventures of the Penderwicks.
More The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy reviews:
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Summary of The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy
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.
From the Hardcover edition.
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