The Penderwicks on Gardam Street // Book Review!

Hello everyone! I know I said that I was going to do the Christmas haul post, well I didn’t get around to it, so I decided to post a book review instead! The Penderwicks on Gardam Street is by far my favorite Penderwick book! Today I thought it would be fun to share my thoughts on the book and tell you more about it!

So first, here is the Amazon listing:

Click here to view listing and image source

Note: Below is my opinions and thoughts, unless otherwise noted.

Overview:

(via the publisher)

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. Mr. Penderwick’s sister has decided it’s time for him to start dating–and the girls know that can only mean one thing: disaster. Enter the Save-Daddy Plan– a plot so brilliant, so bold, so funny, that only the Penderwick girls could have come up with it. It’s high jinks, big laughs, and loads of family warmth as the Penderwicks triumphantly return!

My Thoughts:

Overall I thought this was a wonderful book! I enjoyed the writing style, plot and characters! I also loved how the author changed the point of views from Rosalind to Skye and Skye to Batty and Batty to Jane. It kept the book interesting and exciting! I also think that the author did a good job of

Age Range:

Although the publisher recommendation says 8-12, I really think it is probably better suited for ages 10+ I also think people older than 12 would enjoy it. I think that some of it would be perfectly fine for 8 year-olds but other parts, not so much.

Main Characters:

(for a more detailed list click here)

Rosalind Penderwick – A caring, responsible 12-year-old, Rosalind, looks out for her younger sisters. She enjoys baking, and speaking on the phone with her best friend, Anna. Rosalind is also the voice of reason among her sisters, although she can’t stop thinking about the across the street neighbor.

Skye Penderwick- A tempered, energetic, and witty 11-year-old, Skye is vastly different from her sisters, most notably in appearance. With straight blonde hair and blue eyes, Skye resembles her mother. She plays soccer and enjoys playing the sport with her sister Jane. Skye plans to become an astrophysicist as a career.

Jane Penderwick – A dreamy and artistic 10-year-old who works to be a famous and respected author, Jane has already begun writing a series of short books, following a heroine Sabrina Starr as she rescues various animals, and later people.

Batty (Elizabeth) Penderwick – The youngest child, Batty is a very innocent and very shy 4-year-old who is a great lover of animals and her family. She is very fond of Hound, the family dog, as he is of her.

Dislikes: 

I think that the book was great, although it did have a rather big plot. With the dad’s dating, a play, and sort of a love story, it was a little much. Although I personally enjoyed it, and thought the author did well putting the parts together in the end.

Favorite Part/ Parts:

My favorite part has to be when the girls try to find awful women for their father to date. Their theory was that if they found 4 awful dates, that their father would forget dating forever!

I also liked how Skye and Jane switched homework, so realistic and funny!

Other People’s thoughts:

If you were to throw the March Sisters and the Bastables into a large sack, shake them out, and tip them into the 21st century, you’d have a good idea of the depth and derivation of characterization in this gently comical sequel to The Penderwicks

– The Bulletin of the Center For Children’s books

Favorite Quotes from book:

“Oh, and Martin, she said to tell you that it wasn’t deceit, but a real faint.”

He was holding a blue piece of note paper, he was holding it delicately as if it were precious and special.

“Maybe you and I can date when we’re older,” said Tommy, trying to look nonchalant, and failing horribly.

It was her own fault, since she had asked Jane to write the play in the first place.

Overall Rating:

I rate this five out of five stars! I loved the writing style and how the author switched the sisters’ point of views without making the book confusing!

 

So how do you think I did?

Did you have a Merry Christmas?

Are you looking forward to the Christmas Haul post?