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Interviews | November 19, 2009

Dave: IMG Finding John Irving: The Powells.com Interview

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[Editor's note: The following is a reprint of our 2005 interview with John Irving, whose new novel, Last Night in Twisted River, has just come out... Continue »
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The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy

by Jeanne Birdsall

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

ISBN13: 9780440420477
ISBN10: 0440420474
Condition: Standard
All Product Details

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Awards

2005 National Book Award for Young People's Literature
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Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

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.

Review:

"Crisp, witty dialogue and supple storytelling propel this happy celebration of sisterhood, individuality, and the simple pleasures of summer." Child Magazine

Review:

"So satisfying, the story begs for a sequel: it would be nice to see more of the Penderwicks." Ilene Cooper, Booklist (Starred Review)

Review:

"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." Children's Literature

Review:

"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 Library Journal

Review:

"[T]he children become fast friends and partners in the sorts of lively plots and pastoral pastimes we don't read much about these days. 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." Kirkus Reviews
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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.
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What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 1 comment:
crowyhead, July 24, 2007 (view all comments by crowyhead)
This was kind of a disappointment. The title is great, and after Octavian Nothing and The Book Thief, I've come to expect a lot from books that win the National Book Award YA category. This was really just kind of mediocre, though. It definitely feels like the author set out to write "the kind of books they don't write anymore," and while it succeeds in echoing some of the books that I loved as a kid (those of Elizabeth Enright and E. Nesbit come to mind), it ends up feeling too much like an imitation. There were things I really liked about it -- the characterization of the sisters were masterfully done -- but overall it didn't live up to the hype.
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Product Details

ISBN:
9780440420477
Subtitle:
A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy
Author:
Birdsall, Jeanne
Publisher:
Yearling Books
Subject:
Girls & Women
Subject:
Family - Vacation
Subject:
Action & Adventure - General
Subject:
Sisters
Subject:
Family
Edition Description:
Quality
Series:
Penderwicks
Publication Date:
March 2007
Binding:
Paperback
Language:
English
Pages:
262
Dimensions:
7.63x5.32x.67 in. .40 lbs.
Age Level:
08-12
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