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Classic Literature. Juvenile Fiction. Juvenile Literature. HTML:With over one million copies sold, this series of modern classics about the charming Penderwick family from National Book Award winner and New York Times bestseller Jeanne Birdsall is perfect for fans of Noel Streatfeild and Edward Eager.When summer comes around, it's off to the beach for Rosalind . . . and off to Maine with Aunt Claire for the rest of the Penderwick girls, as well as their old friend, Jeffrey.
That leaves show more Skye as OAP (oldest available Penderwick)—a terrifying notion for all, but for Skye especially. Things look good as they settle into their cozy cottage, with a rocky shore, enthusiastic seagulls, a just-right corner store, and a charming next-door neighbor. But can Skye hold it together long enough to figure out Rosalind's directions about not letting Batty explode? Will Jane's Love Survey come to a tragic conclusion after she meets the alluring Dominic? Is Batty—contrary to all accepted wisdom—the only Penderwick capable of carrying a tune? And will Jeffrey be able to keep peace between the girls . . . these girls who are his second, and most heartfelt, family?
It's a rollicking ride as the Penderwicks continue their unforgettable adventures in a story filled with laughs and joyful tears!. show less
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The Penderwicks are once again on holiday in this third novel devoted to their adventures, following upon The Penderwicks and The Penderwicks on Gardam Street. This time around, Mr. Penderwick, Iantha and young Ben are off to England; Rosalind is at the New Jersey shore with her best friend Anna; and Skye, Jane, Batty and Hound are off to Point Mouette, Maine with their Aunt Claire. As Skye frets about being the OAP (Oldest Available Penderwick) for the first time, Jane falls in love with an unworthy skateboarder, and Batty discovers her unexpected musical talent, it is Jeffrey - who is staying with the Penderwicks at Point Mouette - who experiences the most surprising thing of all, meeting his long-lost father, Alec, who had had no show more idea of his existence . This last development dominates the latter portion of the story, which concludes with the Penderwicks reunited...
I enjoyed The Penderwicks at Point Mouette, although perhaps not as much as its two predecessors. The first half of the book is a lighthearted holiday adventure, while the second veers off into drama. Given my fondness for vintage children's books, and the fact that Jeanne Birdsall's work self-consciously echoes some of those books, I was expecting that we would meetJeffrey's father at some point in the series, so this development didn't surprise me, and was actually quite entertaining. That said, the depiction of Jeffrey's reaction to his new situation - he is angry at both his mother, for not telling his father he existed, and his father, for not somehow guessing that he existed - felt somewhat off to me. It's not that his initial emotional reaction was unrealistic - after all, he is a child, and wants the adults to behave like adults, and protect him from hurt - it's more that his anger feels like it is being justified and vindicated by the narrative, even though it should be clear that the only one to blame is his mother , and that his father is also a victim. It's not so much that I wanted Birdsall to "correct" Jeffrey's position, but I found it odd that none of the other characters even once considered mentioning how unfair it was to blame Alec for the fact that he never knew about Jeffrey . Perhaps we're meant to think that, as a child, Jeffrey is too young and vulnerable to be expected to think ethically? If so, I find that odd, as I would certainly have considered such issues myself, as a child.
Leaving aside the issue of Jeffrey's reaction to his changed circumstances, I did enjoy this third foray into the world of the Penderwicks, and had no sooner finished it than I was reaching for the fourth, The Penderwicks in Spring. That is surely a strong recommendation. show less
I enjoyed The Penderwicks at Point Mouette, although perhaps not as much as its two predecessors. The first half of the book is a lighthearted holiday adventure, while the second veers off into drama. Given my fondness for vintage children's books, and the fact that Jeanne Birdsall's work self-consciously echoes some of those books, I was expecting that we would meet
Leaving aside the issue of Jeffrey's reaction to his changed circumstances, I did enjoy this third foray into the world of the Penderwicks, and had no sooner finished it than I was reaching for the fourth, The Penderwicks in Spring. That is surely a strong recommendation. show less
{third of 5 in Penderwicks series; summer, adventure, growing up, children's, seaside, music}(2011)
I love this series. Why don’t I have it on my own shelves yet?
The Penderwicks are off on their summer holidays again, a year after the events in the first book. This time, though, the senior Penderwicks are heading for England for conferences as well as a holiday and Rosalind, the eldest Penderwick sister at thirteen who has helped their dad look after the other girls since their mother died five years before, is going to New Jersey with her best friend while the younger three sisters go to Point Mouette in Maine with Aunt Claire. They're hoping that Jeffrey, whom they met in the first book and is an Honorary Penderwick, will also be show more able to join them but his mother keeps changing her mind. Twelve year old Skye is the OAP (oldest available Penderwick - not old age pensioner) and very apprehensive about her responsibilities, especially about taking care of Batty - their five year old sister - though eleven year old Jane will be there to help her (not to mention Aunt Claire).
Of course they have adventures. Not wild, wacky ones but believable summery adventures like meeting new friends (even Hound) or rescuing a dog paddling in the waves and getting soaked in cold sea water or walking through the pine woods in the pre-dawn to spot a moose family on the golf course. Batty discovers the joys of music and gives her first concert - despite Skye's disbelief, she's actually quite good. Jane is obsessed with writing her next Sabrina Starr book (which the whole family love reading) and has decided that it's time that Sabrina falls in love. The problem is that Jane herself has never been in love and has writer's block for the first time ever so she has to do research and ask other people questions about love.
I read this with a big smile on my face; some adventures were as simple as giving Batty her nighttime bath which was complicated when Hound decided to get involved and then Skye, Jane and the bathroom all got doused in bathwater too. I liked the way that Skye - usually rather harum scarum - stepped up to her responsibilities and deliberately kept calm even at times like when she discovered that Jane had cut half her hair off, rather unevenly; I was amused to notice that Skye often resorted to meals (and rightly so) to get everyone back on an even keel. And she’s fierce in the defence of her family.
Classic and timeless yet contemporary. I'm going to have to buy this series for myself ...
(April 2025)
5 stars show less
I love this series. Why don’t I have it on my own shelves yet?
The Penderwicks are off on their summer holidays again, a year after the events in the first book. This time, though, the senior Penderwicks are heading for England for conferences as well as a holiday and Rosalind, the eldest Penderwick sister at thirteen who has helped their dad look after the other girls since their mother died five years before, is going to New Jersey with her best friend while the younger three sisters go to Point Mouette in Maine with Aunt Claire. They're hoping that Jeffrey, whom they met in the first book and is an Honorary Penderwick, will also be show more able to join them but his mother keeps changing her mind. Twelve year old Skye is the OAP (oldest available Penderwick - not old age pensioner) and very apprehensive about her responsibilities, especially about taking care of Batty - their five year old sister - though eleven year old Jane will be there to help her (not to mention Aunt Claire).
Gaining Alec’s trust made her trust herself more. Maybe they really could manage all this on their own. “ ‘Sol, a needle pulling thread,’ ” sang Aunt Claire in her sleep. Or maybe not, thought Skye. Her work had just begun, and she was already worn out and wondered longingly if she dare take a nap. Of course not—what kind of a message would that send to the others? She needed to do something practical and soothing. “All right, troops,” she said. “Let’s have lunch.”And never forget Hound Penderwick who is holidaying with them too (although Asimov the cat gets to stay at home). Fortunately Skye has made a list - though that quickly becomes a casualty with only something about Batty blowing up being discernible.
Of course they have adventures. Not wild, wacky ones but believable summery adventures like meeting new friends (even Hound) or rescuing a dog paddling in the waves and getting soaked in cold sea water or walking through the pine woods in the pre-dawn to spot a moose family on the golf course. Batty discovers the joys of music and gives her first concert - despite Skye's disbelief, she's actually quite good. Jane is obsessed with writing her next Sabrina Starr book (which the whole family love reading) and has decided that it's time that Sabrina falls in love. The problem is that Jane herself has never been in love and has writer's block for the first time ever so she has to do research and ask other people questions about love.
Jane had occasionally tried to develop her own hidden depths, but she never could decide what to hide and how far down.The biggest adventure of all, though - that's a heartbreaker (in a good way) (although the coincidence was a bit deus ex machina, admittedly).
I read this with a big smile on my face; some adventures were as simple as giving Batty her nighttime bath which was complicated when Hound decided to get involved and then Skye, Jane and the bathroom all got doused in bathwater too. I liked the way that Skye - usually rather harum scarum - stepped up to her responsibilities and deliberately kept calm even at times like when she discovered that Jane had cut half her hair off, rather unevenly; I was amused to notice that Skye often resorted to meals (and rightly so) to get everyone back on an even keel. And she’s fierce in the defence of her family.
At last, and just in time, the proper reinforcement arrived. The screen door opened, and out stepped Skye—still rumpled from bed, her hair going in all directions.I highlighted so many quotes in my e-library book that I was starting to wonder if I'd end up just highlighting the entire book.
“She’s in charge,” said Jane, sagging with relief.
The balance of power shifted immediately. Skye was not at all pleased to see the interloper from Arundel, and a displeased Skye could be a mighty force, especially when she hadn’t had any breakfast
Classic and timeless yet contemporary. I'm going to have to buy this series for myself ...
(April 2025)
5 stars show less
Perhaps my favorite Penderwick book so far! Mr. Penderwick, Iantha, and Ben are off in England and Rosalind is in New Jersey with Anna, taking her first-ever two-week break from OAP-dom - and leaving Skye as the OAP when she, Jane, Batty, and Hound go with Aunt Jane to a little house in Point Mouette, Maine, for a summer vacation. Skye is freaked out about the responsibility, and it doesn't help that Aunt Claire almost immediately injures her ankle and is only semi-mobile for much of the time.
However, a helpful neighbor Alec pitches in, and he even has a piano that Jeffrey (who got to come with them) can play. To everyone's surprise, Batty is musical, too, and Jeffrey teaches her piano and harmonica. Jane has writer's block on her new show more Sabrina Starr book and is trying to administer a "love survey," but has her own experience with love when she meets handsome but careless Dominic Orne (his younger sister, Mercedes, is a good friend for Batty).
*
Spoiler alert
*
In an astonishing coincidence, Alec turns out to be Jeffrey's long-lost, mysterious father, who was briefly married to Mrs. T-D, but didn't realize she was pregnant when they broke up. Jeffrey is upset at first, but eventually comes around. show less
However, a helpful neighbor Alec pitches in, and he even has a piano that Jeffrey (who got to come with them) can play. To everyone's surprise, Batty is musical, too, and Jeffrey teaches her piano and harmonica. Jane has writer's block on her new show more Sabrina Starr book and is trying to administer a "love survey," but has her own experience with love when she meets handsome but careless Dominic Orne (his younger sister, Mercedes, is a good friend for Batty).
*
Spoiler alert
*
In an astonishing coincidence, Alec turns out to be Jeffrey's long-lost, mysterious father, who was briefly married to Mrs. T-D, but didn't realize she was pregnant when they broke up. Jeffrey is upset at first, but eventually comes around. show less
On this third Penderwick adventure, Rosalind and the parents are out of the story. Skye is the OAP (Oldest Available Penderwick) as the three youngest sisters go on a two-week vacation in Maine with their Aunt Claire. Skye is terrified of having so much responsibility, and is especially worried about Batty blowing up. Jeffery (from the first book) joins them on the trip. We meet Alex, a musician who is a neighbor to the cottage they are staying in, and the brother/sister pair, Dominick (with whom Jane falls madly in love) and Mercedes (who quickly becomes Batty's best friend.)
As with the two earlier books, the brilliance is in Birdsall's wonderful writing, the wry humor that permeates nearly every page, the uniquely precocious, but show more entirely likeable girls, and also Hound, the family dog, who behave exactly like dogs do, but is always described in such a way to make him fully a character in tale.
In the last third of the book, there is an unexpected plot twist and the story changes register for a while, taking a sharp left turn towards drama instead of the light humor that makes this series so wonderful. After 30 or 40 pages, we drift back to a more fun mood, and we're back on track for the rest of the story. show less
As with the two earlier books, the brilliance is in Birdsall's wonderful writing, the wry humor that permeates nearly every page, the uniquely precocious, but show more entirely likeable girls, and also Hound, the family dog, who behave exactly like dogs do, but is always described in such a way to make him fully a character in tale.
In the last third of the book, there is an unexpected plot twist and the story changes register for a while, taking a sharp left turn towards drama instead of the light humor that makes this series so wonderful. After 30 or 40 pages, we drift back to a more fun mood, and we're back on track for the rest of the story. show less
Another excellent Penderwicks book: these are real favorites with our whole family. For me, the novels particularly come alive with Batty, the youngest of the four sisters, and she shines in this installment (and gets a new friend of her very own! plus many many golf balls)--and I enjoyed getting to know Aunt Clare better here, too. Rosalind is far away for nearly the entire book, an interesting authorial decision that allows the other characters to develop in new lights.
But oh, Jane, and her romantic flights of fancy! At least she ends up with great hair.
But oh, Jane, and her romantic flights of fancy! At least she ends up with great hair.
Despite having more than my fair share of children, I don't generally read a lot of children's literature. My kids' tastes and mine rarely gibe well and I buy enough books for myself that I decided I didn't need to be buying kid books for myself too. But if I think I can convince my kids to give them a try, they are fair game. And then there are some that I don't even care if the kids will read them or not because I just love them so much. The Mr. Putter and Tabby books are one such series (although even the teenaged girl will still coo happily when I bring a new one of those home) and this Penderwick series by Jane Birdsall is another.
The Penderwicks at Point Mouette is the third in this completely delightful, charming, and nostalgic show more feeling series of books that started with the National Book Award winning The Penderwicks. It is the continuation of the summer adventures of the four Penderwick sisters, their absent-minded father, their gallumping dog Hound, and their friend Jeffrey. In this installment of the series, Rosalind goes off with a friend to the beach while the three younger Penderwicks head to Maine with Jeffrey and their Aunt Claire while their father is on his honeymoon in England. Sweet adventures abound as they make the acquaintance of their neighbor in the next cottage, Jane falls in love for the first time, and Batty learns to play the harmonica and some piano. Like the previous entries in the series, this is a heartwarming and lovely tale with characters it is impossible not to love. There's more of the old-fashioned feel of the other books as well, which is completely welcome after too many children's books written revolving around a moral instead of a good, solid tale. Great storytelling, fluid writing, likeable characters, and a continuing sense of fun will keep this series on my to buy list long after my children are too old to use as an excuse for acquiring it. show less
The Penderwicks at Point Mouette is the third in this completely delightful, charming, and nostalgic show more feeling series of books that started with the National Book Award winning The Penderwicks. It is the continuation of the summer adventures of the four Penderwick sisters, their absent-minded father, their gallumping dog Hound, and their friend Jeffrey. In this installment of the series, Rosalind goes off with a friend to the beach while the three younger Penderwicks head to Maine with Jeffrey and their Aunt Claire while their father is on his honeymoon in England. Sweet adventures abound as they make the acquaintance of their neighbor in the next cottage, Jane falls in love for the first time, and Batty learns to play the harmonica and some piano. Like the previous entries in the series, this is a heartwarming and lovely tale with characters it is impossible not to love. There's more of the old-fashioned feel of the other books as well, which is completely welcome after too many children's books written revolving around a moral instead of a good, solid tale. Great storytelling, fluid writing, likeable characters, and a continuing sense of fun will keep this series on my to buy list long after my children are too old to use as an excuse for acquiring it. show less
When summer comes around, it's off to the beach for Rosalind . . . and off to Maine with Aunt Claire for the rest of the Penderwick girls, as well as their old friend, Jeffrey.
That leaves Skye as OAP (oldest available Penderwick)--a terrifying notion for all, but for Skye especially. Things look good as they settle into their cozy cottage, with a rocky shore, enthusiastic seagulls, a just-right corner store, and a charming next-door neighbor. But can Skye hold it together long enough to figure out Rosalind's directions about not letting Batty explode? Will Jane's Love Survey come to a tragic conclusion after she meets the alluring Dominic? Is Batty--contrary to all accepted wisdom--the only Penderwick capable of carrying a tune? And show more will Jeffrey be able to keep peace between the girls . . . these girls who are his second, and most heartfelt, family? show less
That leaves Skye as OAP (oldest available Penderwick)--a terrifying notion for all, but for Skye especially. Things look good as they settle into their cozy cottage, with a rocky shore, enthusiastic seagulls, a just-right corner store, and a charming next-door neighbor. But can Skye hold it together long enough to figure out Rosalind's directions about not letting Batty explode? Will Jane's Love Survey come to a tragic conclusion after she meets the alluring Dominic? Is Batty--contrary to all accepted wisdom--the only Penderwick capable of carrying a tune? And show more will Jeffrey be able to keep peace between the girls . . . these girls who are his second, and most heartfelt, family? show less
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Author Information
17+ Works 13,188 Members
Jeanne Birdsall was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1951. Before becoming a children's author, she worked as a photographer. Some of her photographs are included in the permanent collections of museums, including the Smithsonian and the Philadelphia Art Museum. She didn't start writing until she was forty-one years old. Her first book, The show more Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy, was published in 2005. Her novels about the Penderwick family have collected several honors, including the National Book Award for Young People's Literature. She also writes picture books for younger children. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- The Penderwicks at Point Mouette
- Original publication date
- 2011-05-10
- People/Characters
- Skye Penderwick; Jane Letitia Penderwick; Elizabeth "Batty" Penderwick; Jeffrey Tifton; Rosalind Penderwick
- Important places
- Maine, USA; Massachusetts, USA
- Dedication
- For Quinn
- First words
- The Penderwick family was being torn apart.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)She flew downstairs, and the Penderwick family was back together again.
- Original language
- English
Classifications
- Genres
- Kids, Children's Books, Tween, Fiction and Literature
- DDC/MDS
- 813.6 — Literature & rhetoric American literature in English American fiction in English 2000-
- LCC
- PZ7 .B51197 .P — Language and Literature Fiction and juvenile belles lettres Fiction and juvenile belles lettres Juvenile belles lettres
- BISAC
Statistics
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- 1,425
- Popularity
- 16,507
- Reviews
- 40
- Rating
- (4.37)
- Languages
- Dutch, English, French, German
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 26
- ASINs
- 12