Showboat Summer

Pam & Penny Howard #3

by Rosamond du Jardin

A summer vacation aboard the Harwood College Showboat was an exciting prospect for Pam and Penny, the twins of Double Feature. To Penny, it meant being with Mike who had a job on the tugboat that pushed the old Regina from town to town along the Ohio River. To Pam it meant a chance to act, and perhaps a leading role in one of the gala showboat performances.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Summer, Juvenile, Childrens

192 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1955

About the author

Rosamond du Jardin, née Neal, first wrote humorous verse and short stories for newspaper syndicates, then went on to sell approximately a hundred stories to such magazines as Cosmopolitan, Good Housekeeping, McCall's and many other publications, abroad as well as in the United States. She also wrote five novels for adults before her first novel for teenagers, Practically Seventeen, which was published in 1949.

She was married to Victor Du Jardin on October 28, 1925. They had three children, Jacqueline Neal, Victor Junior, and Judith Carol, with whom she would later co-author Junior Year Abroad.

In addition to writing, Mrs. Du Jardin frequently spoke at schools, and students enjoyed meeting in person the creator of some of their favorite stories. Mrs. Du Jardin enjoyed her school visits, too, because she liked and respected teenagers as individuals and firmly believed that they are interesting, normal and dependable people.

Born in the small town of Fairland, Illinois, Rosamond du Jardin was two years old when her family moved to Chicago. She lived there and in the Chicago suburbs for the rest of her life.

Reviews

[Gina House · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5🌟 Another charming title in the Pam and Penny series! The more I get to know the twin sisters, the more I love them. Showboat Summer is the third book in this series—full of theatrical details, living life on a traveling boat on the Ohio River and wonderful summer vibes. At first, I thought this book might not be quite as good as the previous two, but I was wrong. At the end, I had tears in my eyes!

WHAT I LOVED:
☀️ Descriptions of warm, sunny days on the showboat
☀️ Behind the scenes theater routines
☀️ Learning more about Pam and her boyfriend, Jeff
☀️ Rivalries that turn into friendships with some patience and understanding
☀️ Watching immature (and sometimes selfish) Pam mature and blossom during the summer

I just adore Rosamond du Jardin's writing style. Although her book themes are similar to Betty Cavanna (whose books I also love), Ms. du Jardin's stories have a bit softer and gentler tone...which is perfect for me. I'm dying to read the other three series (and stand alone books) by this vintage YA author.

I only have one more book in the Pam & Penny Howard series and I can't wait to read it. I highly recommended series for anyone who loves the themes of sisters, twins, vintage clothing, nostalgia, friendships and family!

[Rebekah Morris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started this book with an "I'm not sure I'm going to like Pam" feeling, but to my delighted surprise, I found she grew up. I liked her. Yes, she had a harder time knowing how to be "just friends" with Alan, but she did it. And the whole thing with Geneva really made me like Pam even more.
But oh, the thought of being on an old showboat, of doing old melodramas, or of just going and watching something like that made me a little jealous. It sounded like so much fun!

There were some use of words like "gee" and "darn," and some kisses, but nothing descriptive. This is not a christian book.

I wouldn't mind reading this book again.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

My book, which is an original hardback with a dust jacket, does not look like any of the ones shown. This is book #3 in the Pam and Penny Howard series.

This book was a delightful read. The identical twins take a summer course of dramatics at Harwood College. This consists of living on an old river showboat all summer and putting on stage productions for the public at towns along the way. Everyone on the boat has chores, which are assigned every day and this includes, kitchen duty, cleaning the boat, scenery painting, and a number of other jobs. Pam makes an enemy when the leading lady shows up late to the first production and she stands in the role. Pam grows up in every way during this book. She discovers that she does love Jeff. She befriends her enemy when she realizes that the girl is very insecure. Penny is still with Mike, who has a maintenance paying job on the boat. Everyone on the boat has to learn to get along in the primitive conditions in which they live.

It was just so much fun to read about a summer of traveling the Ohio River and putting on stage productions.

[CLM · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pam and Penny, along with Penny's boyfriend Mike, spend the summer doing drama for college credit on an old showboat.

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Favorite line. Mike to Jeff: "You old so-and-so, it's great to see you!" What in the world is an old so-and-so supposed to mean? Did people really say that? And Alan calls Geneva a "beautiful dish." How did dish come to mean beautiful girl? Anyhoo. Penny and Mike are like annoying grandparents that want to know all your business and then are judgemental and think they know better than you because of age. If they are like that at 20, imagine what they would be like at 70. Oy. Pam and Jeff are totally unbelievable. There is no way Pam would survive on a farm, with only barnyard animals to admire her. I give it 5 years, and then she grabs the kid and goes looking for one of her rich former boyfriends. Maybe she even calls up Cade. Sorry, Jeff.

[Estella · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved reading the "Pam and Penny" books (long, LONG ago.) It wasn't until my daughters picked up my treasured copies and read them that I realized how "dated" they are...and how OLD I am! Still, I will always love them!

[Bridget P · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had everything, romance,comedy pretty much everything I expected in this book was there! I absoulutley loved this book and if your bored and don't know what to read pick this book, you won't regret it.

[Cee James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even as a young Black girl, I loved reading the Pam and Penny series. They reminded me of the themes of the television shows I watched - Petticoat Junction, Gidget, and The Patty Duke Show. Plus, I always liked stories about twins!

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved these twins. Sadly I always related to the more quiet, bookish, responsible twin than the life-of-the-party one.

[Ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is something about vintage YA - (recently I found that these are now dubbed "malt shop novels" - a funny, quaint name that boxes them in a bit, I think) - that makes it impossible to put down. I finished this lovely book in one sitting. Pam and Penny were just different enough without being unrealistically opposites of each other. I enjoyed seeing a positive yet not over-the-top sister relationship portrayed in YA literature. Each character is well-rounded, none of them are flat, not even some of the more minor characters, like Tip Flanders. Even a boy like Alan, who has personality flaws, is treated as worthy and multifaceted human being, rather than villainized. Jeff is a great role model, his relationship with Pam and her doubts about the future are so realistic, and the way true love is dealt with in this book is very sweet for teens. I'm not sure Pam's idea is very realistic - that love can conquer not wanting the same lifestyle as your future husband (it is clear she doesn't want to live on a farm) but that the man will help you get used to the way of life. However, it is realistic for a young adult to think this way, and Jeff and his family are obviously good people.
Pam and Penny are down to earth, which is refreshing, especially compared against modern YA lit.
I'm personally not a huge fan of Mike, I have to be honest, he just seemed a little condescending, calling the accessories in the girls' suitcases (including his girlfriend's suitcase) "junk." Penny was maybe a tad heavy-handed or controlling while looking out for her sister, but she helps to open her eyes, so it all turns out okay in the end. I really enjoyed the plot twist and Geneva's story, it was done in a way that was not corny or hokey at all. I could enjoy a book all about Geneva now!
The showboat setting is quaint yet exciting. I could see this as having been a good Disney Hayley Mills movie (maybe it's the twins/Parent Trap connection that made me think this).
I didn't realize this was a series, having just picked it up at the library, and I am now so excited to read the rest of Pam and Penny's adventures!

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another enjoyable step into this series, the Twins having finished their first year of college and will be spending the long summer working on a Showboat, sailing up and down the river stopping at towns and giving some rather cheesy sounding shows.
The shows aren't so much of a focus though, rather a background thing going on while we focus on the people on the boat and their personal dramas.

Pam is our POV again but that's alright, she does some growing up in this one and with Penny so settled with Mike there isn't so much story to tell from that side of things. Pam is mostly occupied with thinking about Jeff, her boyfriend of sorts, considering Alan another boy on the boat and finally being in a rather one sided feud with Geneva Day.

Some easy summer fun reading. Just the last book left now!

[Karen Plummer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The twins have made it through their first year of college and now have the summer before them. Thanks to a gift from their new stepfather, they are able to spend the summer taking a drama course on an old-fashioned showboat, traveling along the Ohio River and performing period pieces along the way. It's a fun time for Penny, who's getting to spend the summer with her boyfriend Mike (who just happens to be working on the tugboat that helps the old showboat along her way). Pam is having fun as well, but there's trouble brewing as she is missing her boyfriend Jeff, being rushed by the leading man, and in the midst of a feud with a prima dona.

I'm really enjoying these stories again. Such a simple time.

[Rose Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pam and Penny Howard did what any girl would do given the chance! Worked on a showboat with their college classmates. They learned about life and love and friendships. Friendship can come in the most unexpected ways and Pam was in for an awakening. Navigating a long-distance romance and learning about new temptations. Not to mention competing with the star of the show. The end leaves the reader happy and eager to find out what the next book will bring to life with the twins.

[Denise Abbe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Step back to 1950s Americana. Then, from there, step back even further to a white-painted craft riding proudly on the water, straight out of a Mark Twain novel. In this 3rd Pam & Penny novel, both ladies get to take a drama course aboard the Regina Belle, a showboat that cruises the Ohio River and stops at towns for old-fashioned riverboat dramas. Another delightful return to earlier times when life seemed simpler without the modern rat-race.

[Dichotomy Girl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I seemed to remember not enjoying this one as much as I did Double Feature, but during my reread, I actually enjoyed this one more.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reread for the first time in many years. Glad to see Pam maturing since the earlier book I own, and fun to folow their summer on the showboat.

[Monique Lebrocq · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still told from Pam’s view.
Sigh. Penny is more interesting.
But loved the showboat.

[P Bright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read!

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great rehashing memories of reading this series in High School.

[Suebob16 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite book of the Pam & Penny series because of the new environment the twins (and Mike) are introduced to--a touring showboat they get to work on for the summer for college credit. The third book involves the growing romance of Pam and Jeff. It has now taken a more serious turn. Jeff already loves Pam and is patiently waiting for her to declare her love. Despite her already deep feelings for Jeff, Pam feels she isn't quite ready yet. She intends to work and have fun on the showboat while sorting it all out. Pam does have some distractions--handsome leading man Alan and spoiled rich girl Geneva are also on the showboat. Alan wants to get to know Pam better and Geneva has already made Pam her enemy.

I enjoyed the various showboat moments. For example early on Pam suddenly finds herself the leading lady in a production when Geneva refuses to report for duty. There is also potential disaster when Geneva accidentally creates a fire hazard and Pam's quick thinking saves her and the showboat. And ultimately Pam does come to a decision about her love for Jeff. Was there any doubt?

With college the primary setting of most of the series, this was a fun departure for both the twins and the reader.

[Dottie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Forgot completely this author's name but not the books -- and now here they are come together again. I've added all of these which are currently on Goodreads to my shelf and I'm certain there are many others. I read all of them I think. Du Jardin's books both the Pam and penny and the Tobey Heyden series were part of the many series of teen novels by several authors which I devoured from the local library in junior high and high school. Simple, a bit old-fashioned but universal in many respects regarding the angst of coming of age.

[Penny · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this third volume of the series, my namesake and her twin spend the summer getting college credit for performing on a traveling showboat. It's the usual reliable wholesome vintage teen romance, but the unique setting adds some additional interest. (I'd give it 3 1/2 stars if I could.)

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Re-read March 2002.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is probably the best in the series I am rereading…

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this trip to my younger years.

[Bansley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a story in itself - not necessary to read the previous in the series to enjoy. I found this one, in particular took me back to their time.