A PARADE BEST KIDS BOOK OF ALL TIME • A KIRKUS REVIEWS BEST MIDDLE GRADE BOOK OF THE CENTURY
Meet the Penderwicks—four different sisters with one special bond. There’s responsible, practical Rosalind; stubborn, feisty Skye; dreamy, artistic Jane; and shy little sister Batty, who won’t go anywhere without her butterfly wings.
When the girls and their doting father head off for their summer holiday, they’re in for a surprise. Instead of the tumbledown cottage they expected, they find themselves on 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.
But the icy-hearted Mrs. Tifton is not as pleased with the Penderwicks as Jeffrey is, 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 witty, The Penderwicks is the first book in a cherished series from award-winning author Jeanne Birdsall that accentuates adventure, laughter, and the whimsy of childhood.
Look for all the books in the Penderwicks series!
The Penderwicks
The Penderwicks on Gardam Street
The Penderwicks at Point Mouette
The Penderwicks in Spring
The Penderwicks at Last
Author
Jeanne Birdsall
Jeanne Birdsall is the National Book Award–winning author of the children’s book The Penderwicks and its sequel, The Penderwicks on Gardam Street, both of which were also New York Times bestsellers. She grew up in the suburbs west of Philadelphia, where she attended wonderful public schools. Although Birdsall first decided to become a writer when she was 10 years old, it took her until she was 41 to get started. In the years in between, Birdsall had many strange jobs to support herself while working hard as a photographer. Birdsall’s photographs are included in the permanent collections of museums, including the Smithsonian and the Philadelphia Art Museum. She lives with her husband in Northampton, Massachusetts. Their house is old and comfortable, full of unruly animals, and surrounded by gardens.
Learn More about Jeanne Birdsall