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The Penderwicks on Gardam Street
(The Penderwicks #2)
by
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.
The Penderwick sisters are home on Gardam Street and ready for an adventure! But the adventure they get isn't quite what they had in mind ...more
The Penderwick sisters are home on Gardam Street and ready for an adventure! But the adventure they get isn't quite what they had in mind ...more
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Hardcover, 308 pages
Published
April 8th 2008
by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
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Community Reviews
Showing 1-30

Start your review of The Penderwicks on Gardam Street (The Penderwicks, #2)

// Re-Read March 2018 //
What words can describe my adoration for this series and its characters? Reading a Penderwicks book is like a receiving a warm hug on a chilly day or like remembering a fond memory from your childhood.
It's blissful nostalgia & the joy of childhood.
I will never, ever stop coming back to the Penderwicks whenever I'm in need of a comfortable, cozy, & delightful read. <3
(And just so you know, my future kids will be read this series MANY times. *grins*)
/ / /
Can I just hug thi ...more
What words can describe my adoration for this series and its characters? Reading a Penderwicks book is like a receiving a warm hug on a chilly day or like remembering a fond memory from your childhood.
It's blissful nostalgia & the joy of childhood.
I will never, ever stop coming back to the Penderwicks whenever I'm in need of a comfortable, cozy, & delightful read. <3
(And just so you know, my future kids will be read this series MANY times. *grins*)
/ / /
Can I just hug thi ...more

I can't exactly remember what it was that kept me from reading The Penderwicks of Gardam Street the minute it came out on bookstore and library shelves. As a children's librarian I certainly enjoyed Ms. Birdsall's previous title, The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy, which garnered itself a bright and shiny National Book Award. Then there was all that talk about a resurgence of "old-fashioned" children's books and how Penderwicks marked a nosta
...more

The sequel to "The Penderwicks" earns four stars (where the first earned five) because I do feel that some of the "magic" of the first book (with Arundel and Jeffrey, Cagney and the bunnies, and summertime—that enchanted, timeless setting) was lost by having the girls return to school and "normal life." However, I still enjoyed the book and very much appreciate the fact that Birdsall was able to keep the charm and sweetness of the family alive even by putting them back in the real world (though
...more

The Penderwicks at Gardam Street is a really solid follow up to The Penderwicks. I love the relationship between the four sisters and I always look forward to the MOOPS meetings they hold. This installment was particularly funny because Mr. Penderwick's sister has decided that it's time for him to start dating again but the girls, not feeling ready yet, get themselves involved and humor ensues. I think I actually enjoyed this second book just a *smidge* more than book one but it's hard to gauge
...more

Still just as wonderful after many, many re-reads!
RTC!
RTC!

I liked The Penderwicks so much that I was worried that the sequel couldn't be as good. But it was good! These books are like Little Women but younger and more modern. There's still an old-fashioned feel about them, though, which I think is partly because things like phones and TVs and computers remain in the background.
If I just read a summary of the books, I wouldn't think they seemed interesting, but there's something irresistible about them once you start reading. Maybe it's the characters. ...more
If I just read a summary of the books, I wouldn't think they seemed interesting, but there's something irresistible about them once you start reading. Maybe it's the characters. ...more

Jun 25, 2008
Ann
rated it
really liked it
Recommends it for:
Anyone who likes good, heartwarming character stories
Recommended to Ann by:
Katie
Birdsall manages, yet again, to write a charming, timeless tale about family, honesty, friendship, and love.
The four Penderwick sisters each have their own plots and arcs throughout the book, but must always come together to deal with the main plot of this sequel - that their father has started to date (which, I think it's only fair to point out that the dating is not the father's idea. He is, in fact, quite reluctant, and it is only because of a letter that his wife wrote for him before her dea ...more
The four Penderwick sisters each have their own plots and arcs throughout the book, but must always come together to deal with the main plot of this sequel - that their father has started to date (which, I think it's only fair to point out that the dating is not the father's idea. He is, in fact, quite reluctant, and it is only because of a letter that his wife wrote for him before her dea ...more

Mar 26, 2012
Shannon
rated it
really liked it
Shelves:
childrens,
color-green,
realistic-fiction,
2013,
ebook,
middle-grade,
color-blue,
sweet-and-charming,
buddy-reads
Read along with Zahara.
I pretty much love this family and all of their adventures. I'm sad that there's only one more book left. I hope it's not a trilogy and she's still writing.
Review to come.
ETA: Just found this on her site:
Are you writing more books about the Penderwicks?
There are now three published Penderwick books, and I’m working on the fourth, which will come out in 2014. The fifth Penderwick book will be the last.
Well, I'm glad there will be two more but will still be sad to see them ...more
I pretty much love this family and all of their adventures. I'm sad that there's only one more book left. I hope it's not a trilogy and she's still writing.
Review to come.
ETA: Just found this on her site:
Are you writing more books about the Penderwicks?
There are now three published Penderwick books, and I’m working on the fourth, which will come out in 2014. The fifth Penderwick book will be the last.
Well, I'm glad there will be two more but will still be sad to see them ...more

Such a fun, cute book. It definitely has the same sort of feel as Elizabeth Enright and Eleanor Estes, which reminds me of childhood. Love these characters. And totally called the ending. I especially enjoyed the whole "Marianne" thing. XD Highly recommended.
...more

Apr 16, 2014
Kaethe Douglas
rated it
it was amazing
Shelves:
sisters,
animals,
humor,
feminism,
fiction,
mystery,
read-aloud,
science,
realistic,
strong-smart-female-protagonist
I like the retro feel of the Penderwicks books, the idyllic life they lead. Plus, there are endless book references, especially in this one.
***
I think the Penderwicks will be classics when the Offspring are grown. Both girls and I get so caught up in their adventures, which aren't all that adventurous, by comparison with most of the fantasy we've read. Somehow Birdsall manages to make the little things like baking a cake, practicing soccer, or picking out a Halloween costume, every bit as import ...more
***
I think the Penderwicks will be classics when the Offspring are grown. Both girls and I get so caught up in their adventures, which aren't all that adventurous, by comparison with most of the fantasy we've read. Somehow Birdsall manages to make the little things like baking a cake, practicing soccer, or picking out a Halloween costume, every bit as import ...more

Man, how can I explain my love for the Penderwick books??? Batty is adorable, Rosalind is intriguing, and Skye and Jane are... pure awesomeness. These books are middle grade, but I love them more than most YA books I've read - the sweet innocence, the mystery, and most of all, the crazy schemes and situations these girls get in. How I adore them! I'd recommend them to everyone look for a cute, clean, and hilarious read. :D This one, specifically? I love Ben (Duck!) and I adore the relationship b
...more

Jul 19, 2011
Kailey (Luminous Libro)
rated it
it was amazing
Shelves:
favorite-middle-grade-and-ya,
owned-books
I love the Penderwick books! The ending here is a bit obvious, but it doesn't really matter, b/c getting there is so fun and delightful. Wonderful writing, delicious characters! I love it all!
...more

4.5 stars
While I didn't quite like this as much as the first one, I still loved it. I missed Jeffrey. And Tommy just didn't replace him. Hopefully, Jeffrey will be in later books. Anyways, this book is still excellent with many gem moments such as Skye's before-game rituals, Jane's play and just Batty in general.
2019 challenge: a book about a family ...more
While I didn't quite like this as much as the first one, I still loved it. I missed Jeffrey. And Tommy just didn't replace him. Hopefully, Jeffrey will be in later books. Anyways, this book is still excellent with many gem moments such as Skye's before-game rituals, Jane's play and just Batty in general.
2019 challenge: a book about a family ...more

Apr 12, 2019
Emma
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
books-i-own,
read-in-april-2019
I wish I could give books 1000 stars

I didn't think anything could be more delightful than The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy," but I was proved wrong by the second installment (in a to-be five-part series),"The Penderwicks on Gardam Street."
This book continues where the first left off, though it can be enjoyed thouroughly as a stand-alone. The four Penderwick sisters (ages 4-12) are embroilled in a plot to save their widowed daddy from re-marriage, and while doing so they conti ...more
This book continues where the first left off, though it can be enjoyed thouroughly as a stand-alone. The four Penderwick sisters (ages 4-12) are embroilled in a plot to save their widowed daddy from re-marriage, and while doing so they conti ...more

Birdsall's first book, The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy, had a timeless and innocent charm. Reminiscent of many childrens' books from the earlier, it could have been set at any point in the past century. Although the summer adventures of the four sister and their friend and dog had serious elements (eg Jeffrey's miserable home life) and were sometimes dangerous (eg the bull) they were truly child-like and carefree.
The second installment open ...more
The second installment open ...more

Jul 07, 2018
Ginnie
rated it
it was amazing
Shelves:
1000-02,
1000-by-k,
laugh-out-loud-funny,
audiobook,
childrens-literature,
wishlist,
made-me-cry
2019 review:
Still funny, and great!
2018 review:
When a sequel is better than the first, thats amazing. Thank you Ms. Birdsall for writing a new classic. I love the Penderwicks. Can't wait to start the next book! ...more
Still funny, and great!
2018 review:
When a sequel is better than the first, thats amazing. Thank you Ms. Birdsall for writing a new classic. I love the Penderwicks. Can't wait to start the next book! ...more

Pretty unrealistic, but SO MUCH FUN. And the NOSTALGIA! RTC.

Sep 20, 2019
Abigail
rated it
really liked it
Recommends it for:
Anyone Who Has Read & Enjoyed 'The Penderwicks'
The Penderwicks return in this second of five middle-grade novels devoted to their adventures, this time back home on Gardam Street, in Cameron, Massachusetts. As the girls - motherly eldest sister Rosalind, fierce tomboy-scientist Skye, dreamy authoress Jane, and animal-loving baby of the family Batty - start a new school year, they each face new experiences and challenges. Rosalind must confront her mixed feelings about next-door-neighbor Tommy, who clearly has an adorable crush on her; Skye i
...more

It was a good book about sisters 4 of them. Their names were Rosiland, Jane, Skye, and Batty. Their mom died when they were done and she wrote a letter for there father to start dating and gave it to there and, a few years later she gives it to him. The girls were freaked out and came up with a plan. The plan was to find a lot of awful dates until he wants to stop dating. Read the rest to find out what happens next.

This is one of the best children's book series ever written. Full-stop. Gardam Street is even better than the debut – smart, funny, touching, exciting. You can't read one of these books and not ache with longing to be part of the Penderwick family.
...more

I liked even more than the 1st if possible. 5.5 stars!
topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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The Penderwicks Rock!!!!!!! | 17 | 83 | Oct 01, 2014 11:06AM |
Jeanne Birdsall grew up in the suburbs west of Philadelphia, where she attended wonderful public schools. Jeanne had lots of great teachers, but her favorites were: Mrs. Corkhill, sixth grade, who encouraged her intellectual curiosity; Mr. Tremonte, eighth grade algebra, who taught Jeanne to love and respect math; and Miss Basehore, second and fourth year Latin, to whom Jeanne (and Mr. Penderwick)
...more
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“...even a tiny bit of deceit is dishonorable when it's used for selfish or cowardly reasons.
- Mr. Penderwick”
—
374 likes
- Mr. Penderwick”
“Jane,' she said, climbing down from the chair. 'Remember last year when I built that model wind tower for you and you wrote those poems for me?'
And you said you'd never switch homework assignments with me again.'
For good reason. My teacher had a hard time believing I wrote Tra-la the joy of tulips blooming, Ha-ha the thrill of bumblebees zooming. I'm alive and I dance, I'm alive though death is always looming. When I finally convinced her that I had, she asked me if I needed to talk to the school counselor.”
—
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More quotes…
And you said you'd never switch homework assignments with me again.'
For good reason. My teacher had a hard time believing I wrote Tra-la the joy of tulips blooming, Ha-ha the thrill of bumblebees zooming. I'm alive and I dance, I'm alive though death is always looming. When I finally convinced her that I had, she asked me if I needed to talk to the school counselor.”