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Guests | February 8, 2012

Nathan Englander: IMG Big Think

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Tonight is the first event for the new book, and I've spent most of the afternoon at home with curlers in my hair and cucumber circles on the eyes... Continue »
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3 Beaverton Children's Middle Readers- General

Other titles in the Penderwicks series:

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

Only 3 left in stock at $4.95!

 

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

Add a comment for a chance to win!
Average customer rating based on 2 comments:
prufrock31, March 17, 2010 (view all comments by prufrock31)
This book didn't grab me right away, though I enjoyed the characters, from feisty Skye and her sisters to carefully drawn minor characters like Harry the Tomato Man. But before I knew it, I was gradually, quietly drawn in to this story of two vastly different families and their effects on one another. A few characters never transcend the realm of caricature, unfortunately - I would have liked to know more about Mrs. Tifton than her mysterious past and her present chilly exterior. But the undercurrent of mostly-unspoken sadness shared by the Penderwicks and the Tiftons flavors the book with a realism that elevates it to more than the sweet, old-timey story it seems at first glance.
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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
Author:
Birdsall, Jeanne
Publisher:
Yearling Books
Author:
Various
Subject:
Girls & Women
Subject:
Family - Vacation
Subject:
Action & Adventure - General
Subject:
Sisters
Subject:
Family
Subject:
Family - Siblings
Subject:
Situations / General
Subject:
Children s-General
Subject:
Children s-Adventure Stories
Copyright:
2007
Edition Description:
Quality
Series:
Penderwicks
Publication Date:
20070331
Binding:
TRADE PAPER
Grade Level:
from 4 up to 7
Language:
English
Pages:
272
Dimensions:
7.63x5.32x.67 in. .40 lbs.
Age Level:
08-12
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Related Aisles

The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy Used Trade Paper
0 stars - 0 reviews
$4.95 In Stock
Product details 272 pages Yearling Books - English 9780440420477 Reviews:
"Review" by , "Crisp, witty dialogue and supple storytelling propel this happy celebration of sisterhood, individuality, and the simple pleasures of summer."
"Review" by , "So satisfying, the story begs for a sequel: it would be nice to see more of the Penderwicks."
"Review" by , "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."
"Review" by , "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!"
"Review" by , "[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."
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