The Penderwicks, Jeanne Birdsall
The Penderwicks, Jeanne Birdsall
12 Rating(s)
List: $19.50 | Sale: $13.65
Club: $9.75

The Penderwicks
A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy

Author: Jeanne Birdsall

Narrator: Susan Denaker

Unabridged: 6 hr 44 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 01/24/2006


Synopsis

With over one million copies sold, this series of modern classics about the charming Penderwick family from National Book Award winner and New York Times bestseller Jeanne Birdsall is perfect for fans of Noel Streatfeild and Edward Eager.

A PARADE BEST KIDS BOOK OF ALL TIME • A KIRKUS REVIEWS BEST MIDDLE GRADE BOOK OF THE CENTURY

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.

About The Author

Jeanne Birdsall lives in Massachusetss with her husband, four cats, a rabbit, a puppy, and a pet snail. She is working on another book about the Penderwick sisters.


Reviews

AudiobooksNow review by Lisa the Librarian on 2007-05-26 12:05:31

The tale is simple and sweet. Four sisters from New England live, if only for 3 weeks in the summer, near a mansion with a lonely boy and a piano. One of them is a writer who works in the attic. No, it's not Little Women, but a tribute to Alcott. It's an innocent story with little real danger or conflict, but well worth the listening. I was worried that neither Jeanne Birdsall nor Suan Denaker would be able to distinguish the four sisters and the supporting characters, but no fear. Both do an excellent job. If it has one flaw, it is a little too sanitized. But a very enjoyable listen for any member of the family.

Goodreads review by Kat on May 23, 2022

there is no better approach to entering adulthood than by rereading the stories that shaped your childhood, and you may quote me on that......more

Goodreads review by Rick on November 08, 2013

I’ll admit I approach award-winning children’s books with some trepidation. All too often, children’s literature awards denote books that appeal to adult librarians and book critics rather than to children. The books are like brussel sprouts on the literary table. We are told to read them because t......more

Goodreads review by Miranda on May 04, 2021

4.5 starsPeople sometimes make unexpected choices when they're lonely.The Penderwick sisters are summeringwith their father on a "cottage" (aka part of the Arundel estate). There's Rosalind (12), Skye (11), Jane (10) and Batty (4), and (of course) their dad and their dog (Hound Penderwick). They g......more

Goodreads review by Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽ on August 10, 2017

I'm upping to 5 stars on reread. This is a timeless, heartwarming middle grade story of the Penderwick family and their three week vacation one August in a rental cottage in the Berkshire mountains, in western Massachusetts. It may not sound too exciting, but with the Penderwicks, everything is an a......more

Goodreads review by emma on July 03, 2019

there is no book more lovely and summery and sweet than this one. man oh man. this is a story about sisters that my sisters and i used to read growing up, and it is just as delightful (this book makes me use words like delightful!!) at 21 as it was at nine, and ten, and eleven, and twelve. (i read th......more


Quotes

“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!” --School and Library Journal, starred


Awards

  • ALA Notable Children's Book
  • Booklist Books for Youth Editors' Choice
  • Child Magazine Best Book of the Year
  • Hawaii Nene Master List
  • Kentucky Bluegrass Master List
  • Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year
  • Maine Student Book Master List
  • National Book Award
  • Publishers Weekly Best Children's Book of the Year
  • Quill Award
  • Rhode Island Children's Book Award
  • School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
  • Vermont Dorothy Canfield Fischer Book Master List
  • Virginia Young Readers Program Master List