The Penderwicks at Point Mouette, by Jeanne Birdsall (ages 6 - 12)

Our northern California weather is just taunting us every afternoon, with glorious sunshine that's begging us to keep in summer mode. And yet I'm amazed by how quickly we've zoomed into school mode - soccer practice, homework, early dinner, nightly reading (yay!), and early to bed (fingers crossed). If you're longing for a whiff of summer, you'll love reading aloud The Penderwicks at Point Mouette with your children. This is the 3rd book in the Penderwicks series - an absolutely lovely series to read aloud with children, or for middle grade readers to read by themselves.

The Penderwicks at Point Mouette
by Jeanne Birdsall
NY: Alfred A. Knopf, 2011
ages 6 - 12
available at your local library, on Google ebooks, or my favorite bookstore
preview on Google Books

With all of the grace and charm of she brought to the first two Penderwick books, Jeanne Birdsall’s third installment is satisfying and delightful. With their father and his new wife away on their honeymoon and Rosalind away on vacation with friends, Skye is now the OAP - or Oldest Available Penderwick. Batty and Jane are sure - well, almost sure - that Skye can do the job. But Skye is truly nervous, convinced she’s going to forget some crucial piece of advice that Rosalind gave her.

As Skye, Jane and Batty head up to Maine with Aunt Claire, they are full of anger that Jeffrey’s terrible mother won’t let him join them. Their joy when he arrives is all the sweeter. Birdsall develops these central characters, allowing the younger Penderwicks center stage with Rosalind away in New Jersey.

Skye learns to trust herself and her sisters as she finds that she can handle being the OAP. Jane falls madly in love, only to discover its bittersweet consequences, with all her dramatic flair. And Batty, well Batty survives just fine, makes a new friend, and discovers a lovely talent she has for music. While some may say that the plot became predictable, children will enjoy being able to figure it out right before the reveal. Overall, this was absolutely satisfying and delightful.

If you'd like to get a sense of The Penderwicks at Point Mouette, take a look at this first chapter, available as a preview through Google Books.


The review copy was kindly sent by the publishers, Alfred A. Knopf and Random House. Links above take you to my favorite local bookstore, Mrs. Dalloway's. Please support local independent bookstores, online or near you.

Review ©2011 Mary Ann Scheuer, Great Kid Books.