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

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

By Jeanne Birdsall

134 ratings 184 reviews 96 followers
Book 1 of 4 in the  The Penderwicks Series
Interest LevelReading LevelReading A-ZATOSWord Count
Grades 4 - 8Grades 3 - 5T4.754550
With over one million copies sold, this series of modern classics about the charming Penderwick family from National Book Award winner and New York Times bestseller Jeanne Birdsall is perfect for fans of Noel Streatfeild and Edward Eager.

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.
Publisher: Yearling
ISBN-13: 9780440420477
ISBN-10: 0440420474
Published on 3/13/2007
Binding: Paperback
Number of pages: 288

Book Reviews (179)

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The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy is a very magical book for me. it makes me think about all the magic in this book and many others.

This book sparked my imagination and allowed to make a picture in my head so virtual that i thought i was actually there. And i totally recommend this book!

This book is absolutely incredible! I really loved this wonderful tale of the Penderwicks. The story is so intricately woven, so much that it kept me interested all the way through. I love the storyline, how it seems so much like real life, but not enough that it’s not interesting to read about. All four of the Penderwicks sisters and Jeffery (and Hound) have their distinctive personalities that make them who they are. How Skye stands up for her beliefs, how Jane has a superb imagination, how Rosalind has a big-sister personality and a loving heart, how Batty loves animals, how Jeffery is kind, and how Hound is... well.... Hound. You will love this story, every minute of it, like something soft to wrap around yourself and hold close.

This was a heartwarming book. It is about these four sisters Rosalind, Jane, Skye, and Batty being the youngest. Their mother has died so they only have their father. They would usually go to their rented vacation spot in Cape Cod but, the manager sold their vacation house. Now they are going to this place in Arundel. When they first reach their, they see a mansion. Now they are supposed to stay in a cottage. The cottage is in the back of the mansion. There are so many rooms in the cottage and they think that it is the perfect house. They later meet these two boys named Cagney and Jeffrey. Jeffrey has a problem. he has to go to this military academy but he doesn't want to. He plans to run away from his parents. He hides at the Penderwick's cottage. Towards the end, Jeffrey explains why he doesn't want to go to the military academy. He ends up not going and everything turns up fine. This was a very simple story. It is also very heartwarming. This was an awesome book. It was mainly about friendship. This is definitely one of my favorite books. I recommend this book to anyone. I rate this book four out of five stars!

This book is ssssssssssssssoooooooooooooooo good.The penderwicks are going to#11 staford street for the summer vacation.The penderwicks don't know anyone there!This is going to be a terrible summer break,or will it?

Such a great book I loved the whole series. I am so excited to get the last one from the library and read it.

I liked The Penderwicks. It was funny and it kept me wanting to read more. Jeanne Birdsall told the story very well. It was exciting when Jeffrey would sneak away from his mean parents. Jeffrey and the girls went on lots of fun adventures. I think you should read it and then read all the rest. It’s a good series.

Four sisters, who just recently lost their mom, are headed out for a fun vacation. Not long after they make it to the little cottage, right next to the Arundel estate, they get swept off their feet. They meet a strange boy, and two rabbits. I feel like I really liked this book. The only thing that I didn't like was the little bit of romance that it had. It was kind of weird. But I still recommend this book for all ages.

I LOVE THIS BOOK! I have read the second book on accident, and I completely fell in love with the stories that were created about Rosalind, Skye, Batty, and Jane! They are such a funny and at the same time heartwarming family and I cant wait to read the rest of the series. ^ w ^

This is a fantastic summer book read. Let me introduce you to the Penderwick family. First there's Mr. Penderwick, Rosalind, the oldest and keeper of the younger girls; Jane, Skye, the most adventurous; Batty the smallest and Hound.So for the summer they all go to stay at the guest cottage on the estate Arundel, which is nothing like they expect. So they become good friends with Mrs. Tifton's, who owns Arundel,son Jeffery. But Jeffery has a problem, he whats to be a musician but his mother whats him to be a army man like his grandfather. But a least he has a year till he go's away , that is until Mrs. Tifton's boy friend whats to send hem away early , the end of the summer in fact. How can the Penderwick girls ( and Hound ) possibly save him in time?

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