The Penderwicks on Gardam Street by Jeanne Birdsall
It’s been several months since we first met the Penderwick Family. When we first started reading The Penderwicks on Gardam Street a few weeks ago, we realized how much we had missed them.
The story picks up after the Penderwicks return from their sumer vacation at Arundel Cottage. They settle back into real life very easily, much like we settled into this book so easily. School, soccer, the routines of everyday life with four children. Their Aunt Claire comes for a visit and so begins the dilemna. Aunt Claire informs all the Penderwicks that their late mother left a note for their father to tell him that it was time he started to date again. This does not go over well with any of the Penderwick girls, or their father. So, the “save daddy plan” is born. Amid the choas of life with 4 girls, Mr. Penderwick does go on some dates, which causes more grief for all involved. New characters are introduced to us, and once again, Jeanne Birdsall has done it in such a way that it seems they have always been our neighbors as well.
My daughter and I are still reading The Penderwicks on Gardam Street. I finished it myself, as I found I couldn’t put it down after reading with my daughter, I even found myself a little weepy at the end. The Penderwick girls and the other characters in the book are lovable and true to life, the family life is depicted with detail so that you immediately feel a part of this family, and imagine yourself as the one having pizza amid all the chaos. Batty and Hound have joined my list of favorite characters (the other being Turtle in The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver).
Never fear, Jeanne Birdsall has another Penderwick book coming on May 10, 2011 The Penderwicks at Point Mouette. We can’t wait. (http://www.jeannebirdsall.com/)
Happy Reading!
