Birdsall, Jeanne.
THE PENDERWICKS : A SUMMER TALE OF FOUR SISTERS, TWO RABBITS, AND A VERY INTERESTING BOY
New York : Knopf, 2005.
IL 3-6, RL 5.6
ISBN  0375931430

(3 booktalks)

When our story begins, Batty is still only four years old.  Rosalind is twelve, Skye eleven, and Jane ten. They're in their car with Mr. Penderwick and Hound. The family is on the way to Arundel and, unfortunately, they're lost.
"It's Batty's fault," said Skye.
"It is not," said Batty.
"Of course it is," said Skye. "We wouldn't be lost if Hound hadn't eaten the map, and Hound wouldn't have eaten the map if you hadn't hidden your sandwich in it."
"Maybe it's fate that Hound ate the map. Maybe we'll discover something wonderful while we're lost," said Jane.
"We'll discover that when I'm in the backseat for too long with my younger sisters, I go insane and murder them," said Skye.

Rosalind, who was sitting in the front seat with Mr. Penderwick, turned around and gave Skye her oldest-sister glare.  It wouldn't do much, Rosalind knew.  After all, Skye was only one year younger than she was.  But it might quiet her long enough for Rosalind to concentrate on where they were going. They really were badly lost.

It’s vacation time, and the Penderwick sisters and their dad will be staying in a cottage in the Berkshires for the summer. They do manage to find it, but Arundel isn’t quite the cottage they were expecting. It’s located on a grand estate, with a mansion next door.  Add a mysterious boy glimpsed in a window, a handsome young groundskeeper and a bad-tempered bull and things are bound to get interesting! Join the Penderwick sisters for a bit of adventure, a bit of mystery, a bit of growing up, and a lot of fun.  (New Hampshire Great Stone Face 2007)

Booktalk #2

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.  (Rebecca Caudill Young Readers’ Book Award 2008)

Booktalk #3

The Penderwicks head off for a summer vacation on a beautiful estate called Arundel and that’s when the trouble begins. Arundell’s owner, Mrs. Tifton, is very stiff and formal, caring more for her garden than her son, Jeffrey.  The four Penderwick girls form a special friendship with Jeffrey and enjoy their adventures  - chasing bulls, secret passage ways, sneaking in and out of the garden. Jeffrey’s dreams of pursing music are dashed when Mrs. Tifton’s male friend, the arrogant Dexter, makes plans to send Jeffrey to a Military Academy. Can the girls succeed in encouraging Jeffrey to speak up for himself?    (Jean B. Bellavance for Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Awards, 2007-2008)