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. Jeanne Birdsall; Knopf, 2005
Grade Level: 3-5
ISBN & Cost: 0-375-83143-6 (trade) 0-375-93143-0 (lib. Bdg.) $15.95
Synopsis: Four sisters who are very close but yet very different and their father head off on their annual summer holiday trip. The family is in for a surprise this particular summer. The girls discover Jeffrey, the gardens, some tame rabbits, and other hired-help around The Arundel; their vacation spot. Through the ups and downs of this story you will become closer to the girls and understand their lives.
General Review:
Jeanne Birdsall has done a wonderful job creating a story for children of the primary to upper-school age. With this being her very first novel I personally hope to see more stories published in the future. The beginning of the book was a little slow for me but I truly could not put it down once it hooked me.
Themes: friends, single-parent family, vacations, sisters,
Author information:
Discussion Questions:
- Batty is very shy and often hides. What do you think this says about her? (Standard 3; Benchmark 3)
- What makes a friend? Would you have been Jeffrey’s friend? (Standard 3; Benchmark 3)
- Why did Batty give her wings to Jeffrey? What do you think this says about her maturity over the summer? (Standard 3; Benchmark 3)
Activities:
- Draw a picture of your favorite scene from the novel. (Standard 1; Benchmark 4)
- Using a Venn diagram, compare and contrast the lives of the Penderwick sisters and Jeffrey. What similarities and differences stand out while reading the story. (Standard 1; Benchmark 4)
- Interview a character from the book. Write at least ten questions that will give the character the opportunity to discuss their thoughts and feelings about their role in the story. (Standard 2; Benchmark 1)
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