Children's Books discussion

This June, the Fiction moderators grabbed a summer read off 'The List' and will be enjoying The Penderwicks. This is a popular story that explores four sisters as they explore Arundel. Look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Oh I loved this when I read it a few years ago. So nostalgic. I'll see if I can make time for it again. There are sequels, too.

This book's style is reminiscent for me of Anne of Green Gables and Swallows and Amazons - a homey tale of a large, loving family.

Been on my to-read list for ages, so I better take my copy along when I go to Amsterdam (for an academic conference, so I hope I will actually have time to read).

Once the monthly read is over, perhaps it would be a good idea to rename this thread and open it up for discussions of the remaining Penderwicks books.

I will definitely look into it. It has great reviews on amazon, so I am interested. Thanks for sharing.

I read this book about 10 years ago. I don't remember a lot of details, but I did thoroughly enjoy it, and I agree with the above comments that it had an old-fashioned, nostalgic feel to it. Also fun to read about the kids' adventures.

This had been on our shelves for quite some time, I believe I've even given it to nieces over the years without ever reading it, and I LOVED it! It was so well done and the character development of the girls and Jeffrey were excellent. I also appreciated the point of view of how the children viewed adults and their world and found it to be very true to life.
I also enjoyed the differences between the girls, again finding them true to life, but also felt connected to each one. I loved when Batty told Mrs. T that she didn't have to talk to people that she didn't want to. I through that Rosiland was an amazing older sister wjile still struggling between responsibility and being a child. Skype's fire and loyalty were so well done and Jane's imagination at time slightly annoying (again true to life) were well portrayed.
The scope was very well suited to how their lives had unfolded and I felt were true portrayals of life. I do look forward to reading the other in the series as well (and will add an Extra Credit section for the series).

Here's my review from 5 years ago:

Absolutely enchanting, especially for fans of Five Children and It others by Nesbit, and The Moffats and others by Estes. So nostalgic I hope it gets a much wider readership than anything this innocent is likely to.

ETA. I see that it has become fairly popular, and the sequel was good, too. Yay! For more read-alikes, I highly recommend Family Grandstand and probably others by Carol Ryrie Brink.

(In other words, it's not all that original. But considering that many of the older books are harder to find, I'm just glad this is available for today's kids.)

Thanks for picking The Penderwicks for this month. I've had it on my shelf (along with the next two) for quite a while. I enjoyed it a lot and for some reason it took me back to my early years when I was into The Bobbsey Twins series. Kids are all alike and I enjoyed the independence and curiosity of the Penderwick children. Their helpfulness and togetherness in their adventures and activities was how I remember growing up. The father allowed all of them to explore and solve their problems and didn't put his two cents in too often. I liked the puppy love sequence that Rosalind had with Cagney - so much like real life. All of the sisters seem very mature for their age, even Batty, when she finally did speak her mind. Great characters and well-written story. I'm anxious to read the next book in this series.

awesome book. Simple yet you will fall in love with the characters ;)

I enjoyed The Penderwicks. It had the humor I'm always looking for in my reading. The four distinct personalities of the girls reminded me somewhat of the Fossil girls in Ballet Shoes. On another note, I was strictly a fantasy, supernatural, dog and horse book reader as a kid. I've been catching up in my dotage with pleasure on secret gardens and ballet shoes and houses on prairies and living in boxcars.

Good on ye! Don't forget the little girl who lives on Klickitat Street. I assume you've already met the Pevensies and their friends including Puddleglum....

I believe this is a great book for those of us who have already thoroughly read all those classics and crave a 'fix.' I mean, when I first saw the art style of the cover, with the silhouettes, my first thought was that it was a reissue of a book I'd missed when younger. Reading about the Penderwicks was not a disappointment.

I just started, and am already enjoying it lots (reading it on kindle because I am traveling and at conferences). For me, the book has shades of L.M. Montgomery, but also Astrid Lindgren, especially the Madicken series and Seacrow Island (the latter very strongly).

All our favorites represented in one, it seems!

I reread it last night, and as I said in my leafmarks review, it holds up well. I'm a little older now, and a little more concerned about the havoc the children wreak, even a little more sympathetic to Jeffrey's mother. I'm also very glad Rosalind learned her lesson when so young.

Mostly, I'm glad it's an homage to the older books, and yet retains a full and authentic identity of its own.

I loved The Penderwicks. The characters were well developed. I especially appreciated how the girls interacted with each other. Wonderful read.

The first book is really good. Not quite as good as the originals that it emulates, of course, but certainly refreshing in comparison to so much of what is published now, and hopefully useful as a path back to those classic books for new kids. Unfortunately, the sequels disappoint. The coincidence stuff is ridiculous and pretty much ruins it for me. The fourth book is better, but in some ways I wish there were just the one.

This was a great read. The characters and their interactions were so well done. It has a nice old-fashioned flavor.

I just realized that The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy reminds me of Astrid Lindgren’s Seacrow Island and I have the same annoyance that in both books, the eldest daughter has to often act like a mother because the mothers are dead and that both fathers are rather lax and absent minded.

Even though the mother is still alive and well in Swallows and Amazons, the oldest daughter still plays the mother part when they are on the island, too. This seems to be a familiar trope.

LauraW wrote: "Even though the mother is still alive and well in Swallows and Amazons, the oldest daughter still plays the mother part when they are on the island, too. This seems to be a familiar trope."

But is she forced into the role?

I don't think so, but, in a way, that is even more insidious. She assumes, without questioning, that it is her place in life. She doesn't even seem to think about it.

I've only read the first one so far and that was a couple years ago. I adored it. The humor was wonderful and I loved the generally innocent yet quirky feel to it. Similar to another favorite of mine-The Pink Motel by Carol Ryrie Brink.

LauraW wrote: "I don't think so, but, in a way, that is even more insidious. She assumes, without questioning, that it is her place in life. She doesn't even seem to think about it."

Malin in Seacrow Island is a bit like that as well.

Manybooks wrote: "I just realized that The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy for reminds me of Astrid Lindgren’s Seacrow Island and I ha..."

That seems to be true in real life though. I've met families in which one parent dies, and the oldest son or daughter quickly takes on the role of the father or mother in many ways. They aren't pressured into it necessarily. It just happens.

I still enjoyed the Penderwicks books. I think they brought me back to a time when life was a bit more innocent. Many newer books rightfully include issues that are more current, having to do with race, class, gender, environment, etc., but I kind of miss the simpler times, when getting together a play was the main focus.

LauraW wrote: "I still enjoyed the Penderwicks books. I think they brought me back to a time when life was a bit more innocent. Many newer books rightfully include issues that are more current, having to do with ..."

And the newer problem oriented books sometimes also go just a bit overboard.

Emily wrote: "Manybooks wrote: "I just realized that The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy for reminds me of Astrid Lindgren’s [book:Seacrow Island..."

As long as they still get support and are able to finish their schooling.

Manybooks wrote: "LauraW wrote: "I still enjoyed the Penderwicks books. I think they brought me back to a time when life was a bit more innocent. Many newer books rightfully include issues that are more current, hav..."
Oh, I definitely agree with that. I have almost completely stopped reading books designed for teens lately, because they are just trying to include too much "relevance". There has to be a divorce, someone with a gender issue, a rape, someone who is subject to racial discrimination, violent confrontations, or something like that in every book - usually multiple instances of each type of issue. I am not saying that those aren't important. I am just saying it is all too much for me for one book.

LauraW wrote: "Manybooks wrote: "LauraW wrote: "I still enjoyed the Penderwicks books. I think they brought me back to a time when life was a bit more innocent. Many newer books rightfully include issues that are..."

Me too, and it makes me so impatient that I often abandon books.

LauraW wrote: "I still enjoyed the Penderwicks books. I think they brought me back to a time when life was a bit more innocent. Many newer books rightfully include issues that are more current, having to do with ..."

YES! I don't read issue novels. I love historical fiction but nowadays it's all about cramming in diversity as much as possible and complying with Common Core standards. Diversity is great, where it belongs, but don't shoehorn it in just to make the story relevant.

I liked the timelessness and simplicity of The Penderwicks. I was a wee bit disappointed in the first because I was expecting magic like Five Children and It, but I really liked the characters. It took me awhile to realize it was an update of Little Women and then I loved the series even more. I loved the Jane Austen allusions and The Penderwicks in Spring made me cry! I'd love to introduce my nieces to this series. Maybe 11 1/2 year old E is ready if she reads them with her mom. I didn't like Lydia as much as the original Penderwicks.

Rosy loves her little sisters and is happy to mother them whether or not their father is there for them. She feels protective of Batty because Batty never knew their mother.

There's a bit of controversy with the fans over the way the last book ended. I thought (view spoiler)[Skye making a funny match was true to the original intent of Louisa May Alcott but I was disappointed she had to marry anyone at all, especially last minute like that. I also was curious whether Batty is supposed to be Amy and that wasn't fully resolved because of her young age. I think so though. (hide spoiler)] Skye is my favorite of the sisters but I also love Jane. I can relate to Jane a lot. I was more like her when I was younger and more like Skye as an adult.

QNPoohBear wrote: "LauraW wrote: "I still enjoyed the Penderwicks books. I think they brought me back to a time when life was a bit more innocent. Many newer books rightfully include issues that are more current, hav..."

I have only read the first novel so far but Skye was too much into math and too opinionated to really relate to.

QNPoohBear wrote: "YES! I don't read issue novels. I love historical fiction but nowadays it's all about cramming in diversity as much as possible and complying with Common Core standards. Diversity is great, where it belongs, but don't shoehorn it in just to make the story relevant..."

I miss some of the older YA books that didn't feel the need to include so much diversity and so many issues. I have been accused of being in denial of modern times. That may be true, but some of my reading is to escape all of the complications of modern times. I can't handle all of the world's problems in one book. I prefer a focus on only a few.

LauraW wrote: "QNPoohBear wrote: "YES! I don't read issue novels. I love historical fiction but nowadays it's all about cramming in diversity as much as possible and complying with Common Core standards. Diversit..."

It is not being in denial but not wanting a book to contain ONLY problems! And sadly, a book that just piles on one problem after another in my opinion actually trivializes the issues (I have read a select few good recent Middle Grade novels this year but most of them have been two and one star books and some I ended up having to abandon).

Manybooks wrote: "LauraW wrote: And sadly, a book that just piles on one problem after another in my opinion actually trivializes the issues"

Yes. This is an even better framing of the problem. If an author tries to deal with too many issues, each one can only be dealt with superficially.

Manybooks wrote: "I have only read the first novel so far but Skye was too much into math and too opinionated to really relate to.

"

Math and science. Yes, it's true but I like her for being honest about who she is. She's not a girly girl. She doesn't understand her sisters. This story is an update of Little Women and Skye is Jo. I'm opinionated myself so I tend to like reading about opinionated characters and non girly characters. I don't understand my sister for being more traditionally feminine and the complete opposite of myself. Even though I'm the oldest, I am just not sweet, kind and nurturing like Rosy. I don't relate to her at all and I didn't relate to Batty until she was older. Now I have nieces, I think Batty is like my oldest niece so I might like Batty better if I were to reread the book.

As a tween I wanted to be Anne of Green Gables so like Jane, I had my head in the clouds dreaming of my next story and generally being in a "romantic" phase.

LauraW wrote: "Manybooks wrote: "LauraW wrote: And sadly, a book that just piles on one problem after another in my opinion actually trivializes the issues"

Yes. This is an even better framing of the problem. If..."

Well said, both of you.

QNPoohBear, your comments tempt me to reread Penderwicks, to get a richer understanding of it. I mean, this thread is active, so why not, eh?

Cheryl wrote: "QNPoohBear, your comments tempt me to reread Penderwicks, to get a richer understanding of it. I mean, this thread is active, so why not, eh?"

Well, it is also one of the featured summer books for the Fiction Club in June (I had forgotten that it had already been read).

Cheryl wrote: "QNPoohBear, your comments tempt me to reread Penderwicks, to get a richer understanding of it. I mean, this thread is active, so why not, eh?"

Yes do. I may gift the first one to my niece at the end of the year when she's 12. Her mom will love it and if her mom loves it, there's a greater chance my niece will. Then I'll probably reread it. I have a long list of books I want her to read I know she'll enjoy but only a short window of time before she wants nothing to do with my suggestions.

Ah, I got confused, Gundula. So, when I read it, should I post my comments in both threads? Or should we just post links to that thread here, and vice-versa? Or what is your preference?

Cheryl wrote: "Ah, I got confused, Gundula. So, when I read it, should I post my comments in both threads? Or should we just post links to that thread here, and vice-versa? Or what is your preference?"

We might as well post in both threads.

ok, thanks

Funny, how the last time we read The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy, it was also June (but here is the review I also posted in the Summer theme thread).

While the general premise and set-up of Jeanne Birdsall's The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy certainly does have a delightfully old-fashioned feel to it, the anticipated all-encompassing enjoyment that I had fondly expected (and that the glowing reviews of The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy by very many of my Goodreads friends also seemingly were predicting) has, I am sorry to say, never really fully materialised or me. For indeed, although The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy has generally been a pleasant and engaging enough reading romp for me with much that has made me smile with reading joy and appreciation, there are sadly also two main issues with Jeanne Birdsall's text, with the content of the author's printed words which have rather majorly bothered and frustrated me. And yes, these scenarios definitely have negatively affected my reading pleasure and in fact to the extent that I cannot really consider more than a relatively low and even kind of grumbling three stars for The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy.

Firstly, the entire family dynamics of the Penderwicks are in my humble opinion generally much too permissive (and yes, especially how lax the father tends to often be, this really does cause me to shake my head at times). Because really, throughout The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy, there are rather a few instances of the four sisters acting out and doing things that are either potentially dangerous or problematically rude and indeed sometimes even a bit deliberately destructive. However, for the majority of these presented peccadilloes and even when the father might attempt to be critical, everything is usually simply justified, everything is kind of explained away and considered at best to not be all that significant anyhow (in particular when the girls repeatedly mess up Mrs. Tifton's gardens, which should at least in my opinion have resulted in some consequences and the girls not continuously repeating this, not to mention that even with regard to their family dog, proper training and having Hound not continuously behave badly seems to be something that the Penderwicks really do not even want to consider).

Even more of a potential issues for me though and secondly, albeit that Mrs. Tifton and Dexter Dupree are in The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy total (and also to and for my reading tastes rather much too stereotypical) villains and simply and utterly horrid, the casual narrational acceptance and lack of consequences for Mrs. Tifton's neglected and henpecked son Jeffrey running away and thereby of course totally freaking out and worrying his mother, this really does tend to make me feel more than a bit uncomfortable. For honestly, while I can of course readily understand why Jeffrey wants to run away, should Jeanne Birdsall have depicted this act of potentially dangerous defiance in as positive a manner as she does and should especially Mr. Penderwick not immediately have contacted Mrs. Tifton when Jeffrey shows up unannounced at the cottage and in the middle of the night?

Therefore, while much of The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy has certainly been a delightful way for me to spend a few reading hours, the above mentioned personal reading issues with Jeanne Birdsall's narrative, they most definitely did make me majorly annoyed at times and also rather uncomfortable. And in particular the constant lack of parental guidance and the absence of adequate consequences for bad and unacceptable behaviour (and yes, even if this behaviour might rather be a bit justified on a deep and philosophical level), this has definitely rendered The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy not as magical a general reading experience for me as I had wanted and expected, still mostly sufficiently enjoyable, of course, but not nearly enough so for me to truly wax too uninhibitedly positively and with praise about The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy.

Ok, turns out I've now read this three times. The first time only my inner child paid attention, I think because I see from my statements above that I loved it. June 2020 I say:

Yes, this is my second attempt to enjoy The Penderwicks. Young me would have loved it, even while tsk'ing at all the mischief. Adult me just can't stop being a parent and focusing on the problematic aspects.