The Penderwicks

Summary

The four Penderwick sisters and their beloved dog Hound can't wait to spend the summer at a beautiful cottage on a grand estate called Arundel. They quickly learn to stay away from the owner, mean Mrs. Tifton, and her prized garden.

     There's plenty to do at Arundel: Jane works on her novel, Skye organizes soccer games, 4-year-old Batty plays with her dog, and Rosalind tries to keep an eye on her younger siblings without being too distracted by the handsome young gardener, Cagney. But when the girls befriend Mrs. Tifton's son Jeffrey, it's nearly impossible to stay on her good side... or out of trouble!

Why I love this book

All of the characters in The Penderwicks come alive with unique and memorable personalities. From the first few pages, readers can tell that Skye says what she thinks, Jane has a vivid imagination, Batty loves her dog, and Rosalind is a family leader. They are also wonderfully relatable. The girls make mistakes, feel angry or worried at times, and sometimes struggle to say the right things to Mrs. Tifton, Cagney, and their father.

     I also love how The Penderwicks invites readers into a family. The four sisters demonstrate a strong bond of loyalty and love, while offering a realistic glimpse into the annoyances and squabbles of sibling relationships. The way they treat each other is alternately funny and endearing. Best of all, when the girls call a MOOPS (Meeting of older Penderwick sisters) or debate the best way to solve a problem, readers feel like they're part of the family, too.

     The story of the Penderwick sisters is fun, especially as a summer read. And if you enjoy the book, there are four more in the series to enjoy!

Potential concerns

Overall, The Penderwicks is about as wholesome as a novel can get. There is one scene where the sisters agree not to tell their father about what they did wrong, and they say some rude things about Mrs. Tifton and her boyfriend. Overall, however, the girls are honest and respectful toward adults, even the ones they dislike, and they never disobey their father's rules. I think their model of respect for adults is overwhelmingly positive.

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