The Penderwick’s: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy by Jeanne Birdsall

[Lindsey]

Critique

This is definitely a fun read, and since each of the sisters has a vastly different personality and sub-story running throughout the text, it’s always interesting. In reality, there’s nothing heart wrenching or profound that happens to the characters, which is the typical sort of book that wins the National Book Award; however, there are many subtle elements about growing up, making difficult choices, standing up for what you believe is right even if it breaks the rules, fierce loyalty between friends and family, and social duty even at small levels that makes the text so engaging. Some of these elements are so subtle, in fact, because Birdsall’s narrative style is conversational, making the reader feel comfortable, that it almost begs a second read in order to understand it all.

Ultimately, it has less of an agenda than other books in the award-winner spectrum, but, in many ways, that’s what makes it amazing. It’s a fun story that invites readers to have a chat about life and growing up. I recommend this to readers 9-12, skewing more toward girls.

For the full of the review, click here:

http://www.lindseyslibrary.com/2007/03/the-penderwicks-a-summer-tale-of-four-sisters-two-rabbits-and-a-very-interesting-boy/