The Penderwicks at Point Mouette
The Penderwicks at Point Mouette
by: Jeanne Birdsall
Knopf Books for Young Readers
Ages: 9-12
2011
Genre: Classic-esque, Feel Good, Middle Grade
Keywords: Sisters, Beach, Summer vacation, Maine, Adventure, First kiss, Love
Summary: This is the third book featuring the four Penderwick sisters – Rosalind (13), Skye (12), Jane (10), and Batty (5) – but this time they are splitting up! It is time for summer vacation and Rosalind is going to the beach with her best friend while the remaining sisters, Aunt Claire, Hound (the dog), and their dear friend Jeffrey are headed to the Maine coast. From the onset of their trip Skye worries about being the OAP (Oldest Available Penderwick), Jane faces writers block (for the first time), and Batty discovers her musical talent. But a Penderwick’s tale would not be complete without some trouble – a sprained ankle, falling in love, and a new friend who bears a striking resemblance to someone else they know. One thing is for certain: this is a summer the Penderwick sisters soon won’t forget.
The good: When I read a Penderwick’s book I slip into a world that almost seems too perfect to exist. While this could overwhelm and sicken some, I find it a welcome reprieve from a very imperfect world. While the sisters do have a tight bond and the thought of a summer without Rosalind makes all of them sad (the sappy bit), they don’t always get along, and this helps ground the book in reality. There is also a timeless quality to these stories, which is exemplified by the lack of technology or cultural references that firmly root some books in the year they are written. The individuality of the characters is strongly communicated, and Birdsall seamlessly shifts the perspective of the book so that the transition from Jane’s voice to Skye’s (or Batty to Jane or Rosalind to Skye, etc) is neither clunky nor forced. Needless to say, the characterization is brilliant and the subtle nuances that are specific to each sister make them seem all the more real and lovely.
The verdict: I would recommend this book to girls in the age range suggested who enjoy books like Little House on the Prairie, The Borrowers, or Ballet Shoes – to name a few.
Rating: 8
Filed under: Classic-esque, Feel Good, Middle Grade
